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Friday, September 4th

Here is today's news on mymix1041.com, sponsored by Toyota of Cleveland: From NewsChannel 9… Johnthony Walker, the driver convicted in the deadly Wo

Here is today’s news on mymix1041.com, sponsored by Toyota of Cleveland:

From NewsChannel 9…

Johnthony Walker, the driver convicted in the deadly Woodmore Elementary school bus crash in Chattanooga, has pleaded guilty in Nashville to several counts of statutory rape.

Walker appeared in court in Nashville on Thursday afternoon, pleading guilty to eight counts of aggravated statutory rape and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Walker was previously indicted for the statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl at a home where he had been staying in Davidson County.

Last year, a Tennessee Appeals Court upheld Walker’s conviction in the November 2016 Chattanooga crash, which claimed the lives of six children. He was sentenced to four years.

The plea deal states that he will be sentenced to six years and one month in prison, which will run consecutive to his conviction in Hamilton County.

Walker must now register as a sex offender.

Also from NewsChannel 9…

As federal health officials tell states to prepare to begin distributing COVID-19 vaccines as early as November 1, we’re learning more about who will – and will not – be among the first to get them.

During a news conference Thursday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee says children and pregnant women will not be on that list, as the drug will still be in a trial phase.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the vaccines currently in a Phase III include one from Moderna Inc., Pfizer Inc., and a vaccine developed in tandem by AstraZeneca PLC and Oxford University.

Gov. Lee said his administration is in the process of developing a plan to distribute the potential vaccines by November.

However, Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey  says to take the Nov. 1 date for a vaccine with a “grain of salt.” She added that everyone should assess the safety and efficacy of a vaccine before deciding to get vaccinated when released.

From WRCB Channel 3…

The mask mandate in Hamilton County is extending another 30 days as experts and leaders say the numbers are dropping for COVID-19.

Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said on Thursday the number of positive cases is steadily dropping, as well as the ICU numbers.

Coppinger believes extending the mask mandate will keep the economy going and people safe. 

Health experts at Thursday’s press briefing agreed with Coppinger’s decision and how masks are important in the fight against COVID-19.

Mayor Coppinger says the mandate will end October 8th, and they plan to re-evaluate the numbers then to see if masks will still be required.