Governor orders flags to half-staff

Gov. Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff on Friday in honor of a Kentucky soldier who died during World War II and whose remains were recently identified. 

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) recently announced that the remains of Army Pfc. William T. Carneal, 24, of Paducah who has been missing since World War II, have been identified and have been returned to his family for burial with full military honors. 

 

In mid June 1944, the 27th Infantry Division (ID) landed on Saipan as part of the Allied strategic goal of securing the Marina Islands. On July 7, 1944, enemy forces conducted an intense attack on the 27th ID, 105th Infantry Regiment (IR) position. During these attacks, elements of the 105th IR sustained heavy losses, killing and injuring more than 900 servicemen. As a result of these attacks, Pfc. Carneal was reported killed in action.

 

On March 21, 2013, a Japanese nongovernmental organization worker uncovered human remains, personal effects, and military equipment while searching for Japanese soldiers on the northern coastline of Saipan Island. The remains and equipment located suggested that the burial site belonged to an American soldier. The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) was notified of the findings. On March 24, 2013, two anthropologists from JPAC excavated the site. 

 

In the identification of Pfc. Carneal, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) used circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, such as dental comparisons and mitochondrial DNA sequence data, which matched Pfc. Carneal’s maternal-line grand-nieces.

 

Funeral services for Pfc. Carneal will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Lindsey Funeral Home in Paducah, Ky.  Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Palestine Cemetery in Paducah.  Gov. Beshear encourages individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute.

 

Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died.  Today, more than 73,000 are unaccounted for from the conflict.

Officials investigate Cumberland River fish kill

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is investigating a massive die-off of Asian carp discovered Wednesday in the Cumberland River below Lake Barkley, which includes the shores along Dycusburg. The fish kill is estimated to have impacted tens of thousands of the invasive silver carp over a 24-hour period. Specimens will be collected and taken to Kentucky State University for disease testing.

Officials believe the fish-kill is related to a bacterial or viral infection largely contained to a single species of fish and not tied to a water quality issue.

Kentuckians can clean out medicine cabinets Saturday

KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Kentucky State Police have partnered with the Drug Enforcement Agency to hold a statewide "Take Back" on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will allow Kentucky residents to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from home medicine cabinets. Collections can be taken at all 16 KSP posts across the state, including Post 2 in Madisonville, Post 1 in Mayfield and Post 16 in Henderson.

Nationally, prescription painkillers are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and one in three Kentuckians has a friend or family member who has experienced problems as a result of abusing prescription pain relievers, according to the 2012 Kentucky Health Issues Poll. Additionally, a report by the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health lists Kentucky as having the third-highest rate of fatal overdoses in the country – the vast majority from prescription pills, according to a news release from Attorney General Jack Conway.

During a national “Take-Back” day in October 2013, 647,211 pounds of expired and unwanted prescription medications were turned in at 5,683 collection sites across the United States, according to the DEA. Kentuckians turned in 9,171 pounds of prescription drugs at 77 collection locations across the state during last year’s event.

Kentucky continues to make progress in its fight against the epidemic of prescription drug abuse. According to the 2012 Kentucky Incentives for Prevention School Survey, the percentage of Kentucky teens misusing prescription drugs has dropped dramatically over the past four years.

The “Take-Back” initiative is a collaborative effort between local, state, and federal law enforcement and government agencies. The service is free and anonymous.

Registry aimed at preparing area for disaster

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom is encouraging people to register participation in America’s PrepareAthon!, a nationwide campaign to improve the nation’s resilience against disaster. This National Day of Action takes place Wednesday.

By registering your participation in the first National Day of Action, you help build a stronger and more resilient nation. Learn your risks and what to do before a tornado, wildfire, flood or hurricane strikes your community. Learn the actions to take on how to prepare your family, community and business.

You will have access to these preparedness resources and more that can be customized to fit your needs:

• “How To” guides.
• Preparedness playbooks.
• Promotional materials.
• Events calendar.
• Discussion groups.
• Additional resources tailored to specific hazards and audience.

To register, click here.

Delays to be expected on Smithland Bridge

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict traffic to one lane on the U.S. 60 Cumberland River Bridge in Livingston County on Friday.

The lane restriction on the Smithland Bridge during daylight hours is to allow the KyTC District 1 Bridge Crew to clean and seal joints on the bridge deck.

Motorists should be prepared to encounter one-lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers between approximately 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday. Delays should be minor, generally less than four minutes.

The U.S. 60 Cumberland River bridge at Smithland, also known as the Lucy Jefferson Lewis Memorial Bridge and the Smithland Bridge, is at U.S. 60 Livingston County mile-point 12.348. The 1,817-foot through truss structure was opened to traffic in 1931. About 5,500 vehicles cross the bridge in an average day.

The Smithland Bridge has a 35 mph speed limit.

Appropriate caution is required where equipment, flaggers and inspection personnel are along the roadway in close proximity to traffic flow.

Woman seriously injured in alleged attack

Michael Tramble

A Burna man and his father were arrested last night shortly after 7 p.m. The son is charged with felony first-degree assault and the father with menacing.

Michael Tramble, 44, of Burna allegedly assaulted Stephanie Cowan, 26, with his hands. Police do not think a weapon was involved in the assault, but Cowan was so severely injured that she was flown from Livingston Hospital to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.

The alleged assault took place at Tramble's home at 875 Mitchell Road in Burna. Authorities were notified by another woman at the residence that Cowan was being assaulted. When an officer arrived, Michael Tramble's father, 73-year-old Roy Tramble allegedly caused problems for the Livingston County Deputy. Therefore, Roy Tramble was charged with a misdemeanor.

Michael Tramble had to be subdued with a Tazer, according to the police report. In addition to the assault charge, which is a Class B felony punishable by 10-20 years in prison, Tramble also was charged with resisting arrest and menacing.

The victim remains in serious condition at the Evansville hospital.

Both Trambles were taken to the McCracken County Jail.

Livingston County Sheriff Bobby Davidson said Michael Tramble has a criminal history which includes assault.

Crittenden, Livingston hospital talks

Representatives from the hospitals in Marion and Salem have gotten together to discuss things they might be able to do. A collaboration of minds and sharing of resources might benefit both communities.

See this week's printed edition of The Press for more details.

Absentee voting now available

Eligible voters in Crittenden County may begin casting absentee ballots for the May 20 primary on the voting machine inside County Clerk Carolyn Byford’s office. She said only individuals who will not be able to vote in person on election day are eligible to cast their ballots early. In addition, mail-in absentee ballots may now be requested in Byford’s office.

McConnell seeks support for Jailer

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Get Alumni Bowl tickets before Saturday

In order for proceeds to benefit local programs, tickets to Saturday night's Double C Border Bowl alumni tackle football game must be purchased in advance.

Tickets are $10 each. Children under 6 are free. Youth football players who wear their jerseys will get in free.

Ticket Outlets: Crittenden Press, NAPA Myers Auto Parts, Crittenden County High School.