Latest news with #LarryDemeritte
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cuts did not affect Kentucky NWS warnings during deadly storms, officials say
Video note: Despite this article's time stamp, the above video is the latest forecast from The Weather Authority. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Officials are hoping to set the record straight that, despite recent cuts, the National Weather Service was not hindered from forecasting this weekend's deadly storms. Political takes have picked up traction on social media, suggesting NWS gave a late warning or even no warning at all for this weekend's deadly storms. London couple recounts huddling in basement as tornado destroyed home NWS confirms a nearly mile-wide EF-4 tornado hit southeastern Kentucky Larry Demeritte, trainer who realized his dream of running a horse in the Kentucky Derby, dies at 75 'We issued warnings at 10:30. That was the first warning,' NWS Jackson Science and Operations Officer Dustin Jordan told FOX 56 News. Jordan was able to confirm that the NWS issued a warning for the Somerset area with about 28 minutes of lead time, and for London, it was 40 minutes.'It's actually really, really good. In terms of warning operations and being able to issue that well ahead of the time of that tornado striking portions of our area,' Jordan said. The New York Times reported last week that the Jackson office was one of four in the country that no longer had a permanent overnight forecaster due to DOGE cuts. Jordan was unable to comment on staffing, but an NOAA spokesperson said, 'In the near term, NWS has updated the service level standards for its weather forecast offices to manage impacts due to shifting personnel resources. These revised standards reflect the transformation and prioritization of mission-essential operations while supporting the balance of the operational workload for its workforce.' Drug overdoses see major decline: How Kentucky measures up UFO sightings in Kentucky: A look back on past 30 years List: 5 Big Lots stores in Kentucky reopening this week Gov. Andy Beshear has echoed in multiple storm briefings that the advance notice of impending bad weather gave enough time to bring in extra staffing during the event. 'Well, we got a heads-up that we would have a bad weather system. Just like we have a heads-up that one is coming in now. I don't think staffing concerns caused an issue in our preparation for this one,' he said at a briefing in London on Tuesday. Beshear said while he is concerned about 24/7 coverage in the future, in this instance, it was not a problem. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Saint Joseph London treated nearly 100 people during deadly storms
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — From cuts to amputations, overwhelmed hospital officials are now talking about the victims they treated from the latest bout of deadly storms. Hospital officials said 83 people were brought to Saint Joseph London for treatment after Friday's tornado. Eleven patients were sent to UK for more critical care. Reportedly, one person died, and five people who were treated had medical-related conditions. London couple recounts huddling in basement as tornado destroyed home NWS confirms a nearly mile-wide EF-4 tornado hit southeastern Kentucky Larry Demeritte, trainer who realized his dream of running a horse in the Kentucky Derby, dies at 75 Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shelley Stanko said they treated many injuries and saw people of all ages, from young children to the very elderly. 'There's everything from severe internal trauma to limb amputation. Lots and lots of lacerations requiring suturing. Lots and lots of broken bones that could be splinted. Some that needed surgical intervention. Really, the whole gambit, head injuries,' Stanko said. Who are the 19 southeastern Kentucky tornado victims? Stanko said that after the initial 83 people, the hospital treated 25 more storm-related injuries that were considered more minor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Larry Demeritte, trainer who realized his dream of running a horse in the Kentucky Derby, dies at 75
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Larry Demeritte, a trainer who realized his dream of running a horse in the Kentucky Derby last year, has died. He was 75. His wife, Inga, said her husband died Monday night of cardiac arrest after a long battle with cancer, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported Tuesday. A Bahamas native, Demeritte moved to the United States in 1976 and attended his first Derby the following year, when Seattle Slew won on his way to a Triple Crown sweep. Demeritte became the second Black trainer since 1951 in the 150th Derby last year. The other, Hank Allen, finished sixth with Northern Wolf in 1989. 'This is truly amazing how we got to this position with this horse,' Demeritte said. 'I'm hopeful people will see our story and become interested in this sport because this horse is proving anyone with a dream can make it to the Derby stage.' His horse, West Saratoga, finished 12th. The colt was an $11,000 purchase and the pride of Demeritte's 11-horse stable at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington. West Saratoga went on to earn $473,418 in his 13-race career. 'My motto is, 'I don't buy cheap horses. I buy good horses cheap,'' he said last year. Demeritte was diagnosed with cancer in 1996 and underwent chemotherapy. His father was a trainer in the Bahamas and Demeritte still carried the accent of his home country, where he was leading trainer for two years. Demeritte had run horses on the Derby undercard in past years. 'I've been practicing,' he said in 2024. 'I used to pray to get to the Derby. I feel like I am blessed with this horse.' Demeritte went out on his own as a trainer in 1981 and won 184 races in 2,138 career starts with purse earnings of more than $5.3 million. His last race was May 13, when Mendello finished fourth at Horseshoe Indianapolis. 'We're all so glad and proud that Larry achieved his dream of being in the Kentucky Derby with West Saratoga,' the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association said in a statement. 'It showed yet again that the little guy, with some luck and a lot of skill, can compete with stables with far greater numbers and bankroll. Larry, with his backstory, engaging personality and wide smile, was a terrific ambassador for horse racing, and the industry lost one of its bright lights with his passing.' ___ AP horse racing:
