Smoking cessation classes available

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Mott leads Rockets to district win

Sophomore Gabe Mott had a career high 29 points in the Rockets' first district win of the season, a 64-55 victory at home over Trigg County. Mott had 18 points in the fourth quarter. He was assisted with a big scoring performance by Erik O'Leary with 14. Both Mott and O'Leary had three 3-pointers in the contest. Other scoring included Preston Turley 10; Gavin Dickerson 5; Preston Morgeson 3; and Hunter Boone 3.

Salem FSA office open today, Tuesday despite shutdown

Many Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices have reopened temporarily to perform certain limited services for farmers and ranchers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recalled about 2,500 FSA employees to open offices on Thursday, today and Tuesday, during normal business hours. The offices will be closed for the federal Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday.

The Salem FSA office is one of the 58 open today and Tuesday in Kentucky. FSA staff will be available to assist agricultural producers with existing farm loans and to ensure the agency provides 1099 tax documents to borrowers by the Internal Revenue Service’s deadline.

“Until Congress sends President Trump an appropriations bill in the form that he will sign, we are doing our best to minimize the impact of the partial federal funding lapse on America’s agricultural producers,” Perdue said.  “We are bringing back part of our FSA team to help producers with existing farm loans.  Meanwhile, we continue to examine our legal authorities to ensure we are providing services to our customers to the greatest extent possible during the shutdown.”

Staff members will be available to help producers with specific services, including:

• Processing payments made on or before Dec. 31, 2018.
• Continuing expiring financing statements.
• Opening mail to identify priority items.

Additionally, as an intermittent incidental duty, staff may release proceeds from the sale of loan security by signing checks jointly payable to FSA that are brought to the county office by producers.

Hazardous weather possible next 48 hours

The National Weather Service in Paducah is predicting a chance of hazardous weather over the next 48 hours or so.

Locally heavy rainfall is possible later tonight. Isolated non-severe thunderstorms may enhance rainfall totals in western Kentucky.

Then, very gusty north winds over 30 mph at times will bring arctic air into the region from northwest to southeast Saturday afternoon and evening. This is expected to change rain over to snow. Some minor accumulating snows will be possible, primarily north or the Ohio River, however. The blustery north winds could also result in some blowing snow that could reduce the visibility at times.

Wind chill values by late Saturday night will be in the single digits to near 10 degrees.

Lady Rockets back to All A championship game

Nahla Woodward helped lead Crittenden to a win
in the semifinal round of the tournament Thursday.

Crittenden County's girls will advance to the All A Classic Second Region Basketball Championship game Saturday for the first time since winning it in 2017. 

The Lady Rockets defeated Livingston Central 52-39 Thursday at Rocket Arena to punch their ticket to the finals at noon on Saturday against University Heights Academy, which beat Dawson Springs in the other semifinal game on Thursday at Marion.

The championship game will be at Rocket Arena.

Eighth-grader Taylor Guess led Crittenden with 15 points and sophomore Nahla Woodward scored 13 in the win over Livingston.

CNA training offered in Salem

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Substitute teacher fired for inappropriate comments

UPDATE

THe substitute teacher has been identified as Jaken Orten, 22, of Dawson Springs.

ORIGINAL POAST

A substitute teacher at Crittenden County Elementary School was fired Monday after he allegedly made inappropriate statements to students in a fourth-grade class.

Crittenden County School District issued a press release this morning with regard to the incident. The statement did not identify the teacher, but it did say he was a not a resident of Crittenden County. 

School officials say they are seeking a terroristic threatening charge against the man.

According to the school district, the incident happened last Friday, but was not reported until Monday. The substitute teacher was working at the school district on Monday in a different classroom. School officials escorted him out of the building after a brief investigation. The news release says the substitute teacher will not be permitted to be on or near any school campus or at any school-related functions.

According to the statement by the school system, Superintendent Vince Clark and School Resource Officer John Shofner met earlier this week with students in the involved fourth-grade class. They commended those students on their response and reporting of the incident. The district said students met the challenge of “See Something, Say Something,” a mantra well defined and often reiterated on campus. 

“The health and safety of our students and staff continues to be our number one priority,” said Clark. “We take each situation seriously and will continue to make timely and informed decisions to secure their well-being.”

Florida police discover lots of drugs in car

Authorities who arrested a Marion man in Florida last week have now executed a warrant to examine the inside of a vehicle was believed driving.

What they found will lead to several more charges against Brian Fitzgerald, 31, of Crittenden County.

Police in western Kentucky had been looking for Fitzgerald since November.

When he tried to steal a BB gun from a Vero Beach, Fla., Walmart last Tuesday, it led to his capture.

The Crittenden Press printed edition, which will be on newsstands after noon today, has all of the details, including a list of the items found inside the car.

Rockets open play in All A tonight

The Rockets lost a district game
at Lyon County on Jan. 4.

Crittenden County's boys' basketball team will open play in the All A Classic Second Region Tournament tonight at Lyon County.

The Rockets (5-10) face the Lyons (11-6). The teams met twice this year in the regular season. Lyon has won both encounters by scores of 62-49 and 75-50.

Tipoff is at 7pm.

The winner will play at Dawson Springs Friday night in the semifinal round against University Heights, the top-ranked team in the region.

Local woman on Jeopardy! today

Marion's Kathleen Guess will appear on the television show “Jeopardy!” today at 3:30pm on WPSD Local 6.

Guess, an assistant librarian at the Crittenden County Public Library, was in California late last year to film a segment on the game show. It's been a closely kept secret about how well she did.

The library will host a special viewing party for the public. The event begins at 2:30 and runs through 4 p.m.

Area Deaths

George "Red" Benton, 74, of Marion died Saturday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Thelma Jean "Tootie" Rushing, 78, of Marion died Friday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Nora L. Johnson, 83, of Salem died Sunday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

New church sanctuary dedicated tonight

Crittenden County’s largest church congregation will celebrate the opening of its new sanctuary tonight with a special dedication service at 6:30pm at Life in Christ Church on Ky. 91 South, formerly US 641.

Although the church started using the new building for its services a couple of weeks, the formal grand opening is tonight.