Crittenden firefighters responding in Livingston

A two-story home is on fire in the Hampton area of Livingston County.

Authorities in Livingston County have asked for mutual aid from Crittenden County Volunteer Fire Department.

Reports are that the home was fully engulfed when firemen first arrived about 3pm Friday.

Legislative Highlights from this week in Frankfort

News from the Kentucky General Assembly

The pace of action in Frankfort for this 60-day legislative session has been fairly brisk as several measures took steps forward in the lawmaking process this past week include the following:

“Born alive” act. Senate Bill 9 would require that no infant born alive – including one that survives a failed abortion attempt – be denied appropriate medical care. Violation of the proposed law could result in the revocation of a medical provider’s license and felony charges. The bill was approved by the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee on Thursday and now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Youth smoking and vaping. Senate Bill 56 would specify in state law that anyone under 21 years old is not allowed to possess tobacco products and vaping products. This would place state law in line with recently approved federal law regarding youth smoking and vaping. Under Senate Bill 56, officers could confiscate such products from people not old enough to use them

Learn to identify drug use in teens

Crittenden County Attorney Rebecca Johnson says Monday's program at the Marion Ed-Tech Center is a must-attend for parents, grandparents, guardians or anyone who wants to know more about recognizing subtle hints of drug usage, particularly among youngsters.

Johnson says the program should appeal to every parent whether they have suspicions about drug use or not.

Master Trooper Corey King of the Kentucky State Police will make the presentation. He is a 19-year veteran of the state police and is assigned to Post 16 in Henderson. He resides in Owensboro.

The purpose of this workshop is to ensure that parents and other authorities receive adequate information needed to recognize when a person, especially an adolescent, may be using drugs, Johnson said. The goal is to increase early intervention rates by supplying parents and other authorities with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify the warning signs of drug usage; thereby decreasing the probability that the person will continue drug usage or develop a drug addiction.

The program will have some primary objectives it plans to meet, including helping attendees learn to identify the current, most prevalent drugs, recognize physical and emotional symptoms of drug usage, recognize the material signs of drug usage and understand the importance of early intervention.

There will be snacks and drawings at the event. No reservation is need and the program is free.

Marion Pizza Hut closing

Marion’s Pizza Hut will serve patrons for the final time Wednesday. District manager Denise Crawford confirmed Thursday that the restaurant is closing. 

Crawford said the economy and other changes led to the franchise owner’s decision to close the restaurant. The Eddyville location will remain open.

Some of the half dozen employees may transition to the Eddyville restaurant, Crawford said. 

“We’re very sad,” Crawford said. “We have been through this before and it is never a happy thing.”

The store opened in Darben Plaza more than 30 years ago and was a popular hangout for teens and family restaurant complete with a juke box, game room and party room.

Time to schedule Livingston preschool screening

It’s time to schedule your child for a pre-school screening in Livingston County.

Livingston Preschool screenings will be held from 8:30 a.m., to 3 p.m., on May 1 at the Livingston County Extension office.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 270-928-2244 or 270-988-4000

Crittenden adds 178 to donor program

In Crittenden County in 2019, 178 names were added to the Trust for Life’s registry, and $1,365.75 was given to the Trust for Life through public donations at Melissa Guill’s circuit court clerk’s office.

In total, 4,238 Crittenden residents are on the lifesaving donor registry.

There are currently more than 2 million people registered as organ donors in Kentucky, and more than 99 percent of them ... read more in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Hampton couple charged with sexual abuse

A man and woman from Hampton in Livingston County have been arrested on a number of sexual abuse charges following an investigation by the Kentucky State Police.

State Police say the received a call from Livingston County High School regarding a possible incident involving the sexual abuse of a juvenile.

Paxton L. Faulkner Yates, 31, and Christina L. Faulkner Yates, 39, both of Hampton were arrested on various felony charges.

State Police say Paxton Faulkner Yates admitted to sexual contact with a juvenile relative on multiple occasions. Police also say he admitted to photographing and videoing the acts.

State Police said Christina Faulkner Yates reportedly confirmed a juvenile relative had sexual intercourse on multiple occasions with her husband. She further admitted to taking photos and videoing the sexual acts then sent them to her husband electronically, state police said in a news release issued today.

Paxton L. Faulkner Yates was arrested and charged with two counts incest (forcible compulsion/incapable of consent or under 18 years of age), a class B felony; one count of use of a minor under 18 years of age in a sexual performance, a class C felony; possession/viewing matter portraying sexual performance by minor, a class D felony; and two counts of third-degree rape, a class D felony.

Christina L Faulkner Yates was arrested and charged with two counts of incest (forcible compulsion/incapable of consent or under 18 years of age), a class B felony; one count of possession/viewing matter portraying sexual performance by minor, a Class D felony; and one count of distribution of matter portraying sexual performance by minor, a class D felony.

They were each lodged in the McCracken County Detention Center.

The investigation in ongoing and is being conducted by Detective David Dick with the Kentucky State Police.

Local prosecutor weighs in on truth in sentencing

It is no secret that incarceration costs have been a driving force with legislative action over the last several years in Kentucky and other states. As jail costs have skyrocketed and other economic concerns have presented major budget constraints for Kentuckians, our state legislature has sought radical changes in the Kentucky Penal Code and administrative regulations. Some of these changes have been very transparent and others have not.

One of the ways the legislature has sought to save money is a mandate of deferred prosecution or presumptive probation for drug possession cases. In addition, the legislature cut the penalty time back from 1-5 years for possession of schedule II narcotics such as heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine to 1-3 years for the ... Read Commonwealth Attorney Zac Greenwell's complete op-ed piece in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, on sale at newsstands now.

Rifle giveaway will benefit animal shelter

A Henry Golden Boy .22 rifle is being given away as a fundraiser for the Mary Hall Ruddiman Canine Shelter.

The gun was donated by Willard and Melissa Guill and Kristi Beavers.

Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Call (270) 965-2006 or message the shelter on Facebook to purchase a ticket.

Drawing will be held Feb. 14.

Retail value of the gun is $550, and it can be viewed at Hodge’s Sports and Apparel in Marion. Tickets are available at Hodge's and the Circuit Clerk's office at the courthouse.

Area Deaths

Maudie Rae Summers, 80, of Marion died Tuesday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Judith "Judy" Myers, 72, of Sullivan died Monday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Area Death

Janice Marie Dunbar Harris, 67, of Salem died Sunday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Press closed today

The Crittenden Press will be closed Monday, January 20 in recognition of Martin Luther King day. 

The Early Bird will be delivered one day late this week due to the holiday and postal delivery schedules.

The Crittenden Press will be on a normal schedule this week.

If you need assistance today please call 270-704-0447.