WQXE News

The American Red Cross says the amount of people giving blood has dropped to its lowest point in the last 20 years, and the organization has declared an emergency blood shortage.

The Red Cross says a 40 percent drop in blood donation has created dramatic consequences for an already struggling blood supply, and new blood and platelet donations are needed to ensure lifesaving procedures are able to proceed without delay.

“Our cancer patients use blood on a regular basis,” said American Red Cross Account Manager Tammy Ritchie. “Any type of emergency or trauma into our emergency room, we have to make sure the blood is there when the patient gets there, because the need for blood doesn’t stop for any type of disaster.” 

The Red Cross says blood supplies are only available based on the generosity of people willing to roll up a sleeve and contribute. The process for new donors getting started is an easy one.

“They can schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS,” Ritchie said. “They’ll tell them the zip code they live in, and they can get them the blood drive closest to them.”

All who come to give blood during the month of January will be entered into a drawing to win a trip for two to Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas. Visit RedCrossBlood.org for more details.

Cold temperatures will continue to impact the area today.

“It’s looking cold and blustery for Wednesday,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Evan Webb. “May have some slick sports on the road Wednesday morning. We’re looking at a dusting of snow possible, a trace up to around a half an inch can’t be ruled out with rain showers changing over to snow showers overnight and into the early morning hours.”

While a Wind Advisory is only in effect for the earlier part of the morning, windy conditions will impact temperatures most of the day.

“With colder temperatures in place, the wind is also going to result in wind chills in the 20s for a lot of the day, so it’s just going to be kind of a raw day, cold and blustery,” Webb said.

Thursday brings a bit of a reprieve from the wintry mix, but Webb says a similar storm system to what the area saw at the beginning of the week will roll through at the end of the week.

“An unusually strong storm system that’s going to bring rain, strong winds,” Webb said. “It’s possible that another Wind Advisory will be issued at some point late in the week, and then some much colder air behind that system over the weekend.”

Webb reminds drivers to take extra caution when driving through winter weather, with slick spots more likely with precipitation and temperatures hanging around freezing.

It is not the amount that his attorney requested, but Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III has granted a bond reduction for Crystal Rogers investigation suspect Stephen Lawson.

Simms issued an order Tuesday reducing Lawson’s bond from $500,000 to $250,000. Lawson faces charges of Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence following his arrest in the investigation.

Lawson’s lawyer Ted Lavit said during a bond reduction hearing last Thursday that Lawson was not a flight risk and had fully cooperated with state and federal authorities every time he has been questioned in the investigation. Lavit requested the bond be reduced to either $20,000 cash or a $40,000 real estate bond because although Lawson still did not have financial resources to reach that amount it was more attainable than $500,000.

Simms noted that neither the defense or the prosecution called witnesses during the hearing, so the court is unable to determine whether Lawson had been sent to Winchester, Ind., on December 6 when he was arrested at his mother’s residence in Harrison County. Lawson was told the grand jury would be considering charges against him on December 5, and Simms said “it is highly suspicious that Lawson was discovered in another state after being informed of the potential indictment.”

Simms considered Lawson’s limited finances in reducing the bond, and also considered that Lawson’s criminal history does not include any violent acts. Simms said Lawson’s pretrial assessment determined him to be a moderate flight risk, and said the bond amount still reflects the severity of the charges and the potential prison sentence Lawson would consider fleeing from.

Lawson remains incarcerated at the Nelson County Correctional Center.