Area deaths

Naomi Wright, 81, of Marion died Thursday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

Accident on Ky. 365

Emergency responders are working a single-vehicle accident on Ky. 365 that happened about 8am.

Reports are that the vehicle rolled over, but the driver had gotten out of the car and appeared to be without serious injury.

Hometown Heating & Cooling

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What's news this week in Crittenden County...

What's the future of the Cave In Rock Ferry?
Is there a chance the Victory Gardens may return this year?
What sparked historian Brenda Underdown's love of documenting the past?

Find the answers to these questions and the following headlines in this week's issue of The Crittenden Press:

• Jones stepping down from Marion Baptist
• WMJL sells to Paducah media group
• State legislation could have big affects on county
• Funding for county projects in limbo
• Berry heading to Gatton Academy
• CCHS chess team ties for 2nd, but places 4th in Ky.
• Historical museum opens for season April 4
• Today set to honor Vietnam vets
• HOUSE REVIEW: Much work left; little time to do it
• SENATE REVIEW: 6.25 percent cuts forced vote of No on budget
• Bankruptcy judge speaks to teens on financial responsibility
• SPORTS: Spring sports round-up
• SPORTS: Final Lady Rockets basketball stats
• VAUGHT'S VIEWS: Big Blue Nation turning to diamond without court

New regs could put clamps on ferry operation

Cave In Rock Ferry is facing a funding issue largely due to increased regulations set forth by the U.S. Government. Without more funding to help the ferry operation meet new compliance regulations, its owner says services may have to be cut.

Lonnie Lewis, an Illinois businessman who owns the ferry service, says more money is needed and he's asked Kentucky and Illinois to step to up to the plate.

Fewer hours or fewer days of operation could be in the offing if the two states can't find a way to help.

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

CCHS FBLA earns Silver recognition

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Marion Baptist hosts Easter service

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Press, public offices closed Good Friday

Kentucky is one of 12 states that observe Good Friday with time off for its public employees, and several other offices in Crittenden County will be closed in observance of the Christian holiday. All city, courthouse offices and county operations, including the animal shelter and convenience center, will be closed Friday and Saturday. The senior citizens center will also be closed Friday.

The Crittenden Press is closing its office for Good Friday as well.

Still open will be the public library, Extension service and federal offices, meaning the mail will run as usual Friday.

Livingston Hospital has job openings

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Area deaths

Daniel John Helmkamp, 85, of Marion died Monday. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Helen Moore, 99, of Marion died Monday. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Repairing souls and furniture is Mac's work

A man of many trades, Mac Dossett has made quite the impression on people throughout the years ... through both his ministry and carpentry.

Dossett, formerly of Marion but now a resident of Smithland,  is pastor at Carrsville Pentecostal Church, and is also the former director of transportation and maintenance for Crittenden County Board of Education, where he worked for 12 years. In his line of work, building and repairing things have always been an interest of his, even in his ministry. He compares it to helping people “repair” their lives.

Happily retired but busy as ever, Dossett builds unique items for his family and friends or for special occasions. He’s fond of using cedar in his craftsmanship and has built entertainment stands, nightstands, bread boxes and other household items.

Dossett also crafted an 8-foot tall dragon for Pine Bluff’s “Dredging Dragons,” who participate in the Paducah dragon boat races. It stands upright, and is wired to expel smoke as a dragon would.

“I build things to be durable, and hopefully, last people a lifetime,” Dossett said, while tinkering with his tools.

Often, he uses a workbench that he was given, which was in Fohs Hall during its construction in 1926.
Dossett enjoys building hope chests and makes certain to craft each one uniquely, even engraving Bible verses into the wood.

His carpentry goes beyond a hobby, as he aims to build things people will forever cherish. He recalls a particular project that he considers special, where an older man requested he build a hope chest for his daughter who was soon to be married. Sadly, the man passed away from a heart attack before Dossett started the chest, and before his daughter’s marriage.

But Dossett was all the more motivated to complete the chest regardless, and gave it to the newly wedded daughter who was still grieving. The woman wrote Dossett soon after receiving it, explaining that it was the perfect gift and reminder of the close relationship she had with her father.

“You can easily give people monetary things, but that is something they will cherish forever,” Dossett said of the crafted items. “(The Bible) says, ‘Give, and it shall be given to you.’ To me, that’s a ministry, building something for someone that’s going to last.”

Area Deaths

Jake Miller Sr., 58, of Marion died Thursday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Marlin Bruce “Butch” Brantley, 68, of Sturgis died Thursday. Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis is in charge of arrangements.

Gazebo bricks for sale

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Marion Baptist hosts Palm Sunday event

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Area death

Charles Kent Gillihan, 81, of Hardin, formerly of Fredonia, died Monday. Arrangements are under the direction of Myers Funeral Home in Marion.

Easter event Saturday at Fohs Hall

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What's news this week in Crittenden County...

Tires, batteries and oil are coming to the former Shopko store on Sturgis Road. Local businessman Kent Martin has finalized purchase of the building from Kent Withrow and Allied Contracting Group of Madisonville.

For the rest of the story and the following headlines, pick up this week's issue of The Crittenden Press:

• Council: Gardens property sale not assured
• Christmas in Marion cancelled after 30 years
• Rule prohibits commercial traffic on Country Club Drive
• Waste tires accepted free starting today; cleanup days April 27-28
• Newsprint delivery issues forcing Press to narrow pages
• PSC action will cut electric bills
• Senate OKs state budget with no new taxes
• SENATE REVIEW: Governor’s remarks not helpful in pension crisis
• HOUSE REVEIW: Pension bill likely stalled
• MY 2¢ WORTH: Victory Gardens this year’s public debate
• Classes begin for Community Christmas STAFF REPORT
• Freshman Orientation planned for eighth graders
• OUTDOORS: Spring turkey hunting season preview
• SPORTS: Track and field results
• SPORTS: Hodge pleased with findings on CCHS diamond
• VAUGHT'S VIEWS: Johnson wanted to prove he was elite...and did
• Rogers picked for judicial council
• Crop reports affect grain prices
• PSC strengthens mandatory training for water district boards
• FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: Crittenden had its share of white lightening

Dunning auction Saturday

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Searches will continue at local schools

A few weeks ago, shortly after Kentucky State Police investigated an alleged threat by a student to kill everyone at the middle school, Crittenden County Schools added another layer of security to keep students and staff safe.

On a day in early March, every student at both the middle and high school was searched before entering the buildings. The searches included belongings like backpacks and a sweep with hand-held metal-detecting wands. This and future inspections will be unannounced, and will include all students at the two upper schools.

“These random security checks are a preventative measure that the district feels will add another layer of security for our students and staff,” said Superintendent of Schools Vince Clark. “Crittenden County School District is committed to their well-being and safety and takes those initiatives seriously. School leaders will critique this morning’s event as they plan additional upcoming random screenings in the future.”

He said the administrative decision to begin conducting searches was not in response to any new threat or single past incident. He believes if the new security offers comfort to students, parents and staff regardless of finding, then it will be worthwhile.

“What more can we do?” he questioned. "I think we all agree this is one thing we can do right now to provide another level of safety."

To conduct the morning searches, students are allowed into school through only two entrances – the middle school gym lobby and front entrance to the middle school. There is no direct access into the high school.

As students arrive, their bags are checked, and the individual is wanded much like at an airport. Girls are searched by female staff and boys by males. Sixteen of the metal detectors will be used to conduct searches.

"This is just to let folks know that we're looking for weapons and other things that don't need to be there," Clark said.

With 700 students to check, he said there will undoubtedly be some kinks to work out with the searches in order to make them more efficient and effective.

"There are a lot of logistics to go along with that," he said. "It's going to take a while to iron out smoothly."

The superintendent said searches will continue to be conducted randomly throughout the remainder of the school year and indefinitely in future years.

"I think these are the times we live in," Clark said. "We continue to have conversations about what more we can do."

A 14-year-old boy at CCMS was charged Feb. 22 by state police with terroristic threatening related to comments he allegedly made earlier that day. The boy reportedly made a threat to all students. The conversation he was having with a student was anonymously reported to administrators by another student, leading to police involvement.

Marion Baptist hosts Palm Sunday service

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Area death

Ralph H. Morrow, 93, of Marion died Sunday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Chamber planning more events

Coming off a successful Murder Mystery last weekend, the Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce has begun planning for its next two community events.

The Chamber will host its quarterly Leadership Breakfast on Friday, April 13.

The breakfast is an opportunity for community business owners, civic leaders and residents to mingle and fellowship. There will be a program presented by Pennyrile Allied Community Services.

The breakfast begins at 7 a.m., and the program will last about an hour. Cost is $7 and can be paid at the door.

The Chamber has also set the date for its annual meeting and awards ceremony. The annual event will be Thursday, May 17 at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall. Every year, the Chamber recognizes community leaders for their work on a variety of projects.

Chamber survey probes business climate

If not for difficulties in finding and keeping employees, and inadequacies in the local transportation infrastructure, business owners in Marion would be happy as a lark, according to a recent survey sponsored by the Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce.

With professional assistance from the University of Kentucky, the Chamber spent several weeks last fall getting merchants – mostly retail and one restaurant – to respond to questionaries about the area’s business climate. Results of the survey were presented recently during the Chamber’s quarterly Leadership Breakfast at the Marion Ed-Tech Center.

UK’s Kentucky Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) provided data assimilation and interpretation for the project which had a dozen respondents from the downtown merchant area.

Everyone surveyed said they intend on staying in business in Marion, and a majority plan expansion within the next three years. Overall, 66 percent said Marion was a “great” place to do business.

Luke Ramsay presented the survey figures for CEDIK. He said economic development can be compared to the way UK Coach John Calipari develops his Wildcats basketball program. He said Coach Cal must spend a great deal of time recruiting new talent, but he must also spend a great deal of time and effort building the team he has into a championship-caliber squad.

“You have to balance the two together,” Ramsay said. “You have to pay attention to business recruitment and retention.”

Ramsay applauded the Chamber for its interest in probing the business community for information. Armed with such information, he said the Chamber can take a leadership role in the planning for the future.

Randa Berry, Chamber president, said CEDIK coached Chamber directors along the way and helped it develop the survey questions. The project began last June and surveys were collected in November.
Berry said the Chamber is committed to helping improve the local climate for business and Ramsay told the group that retention and expansion is the first place to look.

“It may not be the most sexy part of economic development, but its where you get the best returns,” he said.

Recruiting new business is time-consuming, expensive and the success rate is low, the UK representative said. Investing in entrepreneurship is a great tool, but it’s risky and slow, he added.

“The Chamber has gone out into the community to see what the needs are,” Ramsay said. “That’s a great step in the right direction.”

Some of the greatest concerns voiced by the respondents were high and outmoded tax structures, drugs in the community and difficulty in recruiting and retaining quality employees who are willing to work.

Perhaps the most common and resounding issue throughout the survey’s findings was the need for a viable workforce. Those who responded indicated that the positions they most often need to fill require a high school education or less. About 40 percent of the respondents said they would provide specific training to new hires.

Transportation and cultural opportunities were among the other weaknesses, according to the findings.

The community received high marks for friendliness, pride and quality of life.

Although the respondents say they would like to see growth in their business, a majority were not marketing the products through advertising or other means. Those who were using advertising found that newspaper and internet were the most effective.

Anyone interested in the complete survey findings may contact the Chamber of Commerce of (270) 965-5015.

Life in Christ service Sunday

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Area Death

Boyce Moodie, III, 83, of Smithland died Wednesday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Free tree seedlings given away Friday

Free tree seedlings will be given away by Crittenden County Conservation District to residents of the county from 10 a.m. until noon Friday in front of the office at 118 E. Bellville St. in Marion. Due to a reporting error, the incorrect date was published in last week’s edition of the newspaper.

This year’s offerings are paw-paw, eastern redbud, hazelnut, post oak, overcup oak, cherry bark oak, willow oak and persimmon. Quantities are limited to 10 trees per person. Seedlings were purchased by the District. Kentucky Division of Forestry has matched them with 2-year-old white pines.

First United opens temporary office

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Accident on Fords Ferry Road

Emergency responders are working an injury accident on Fords Ferry Road.

There were multiple passengers involved in the single-vehicle crash.

One is apparently being flown to a nearby hospital. No other details were readily available.

Cave In Rock Ferry re-opens

The Cave In Rock Ferry has re-opened to traffic crossing the Ohio River. The ferry has been closed 21 days due to a swollen river.

Distinguished alumni sought for award

Local education leaders are looking for nominees for the 2018 class of Crittenden County Schools Distinguished Alumni Awards, which will be presented this fall. Both living and posthumous awards will be considered.

Nominations may be made through April 6, and winners will be determined by educational, professional and communities service accomplishments. The selection panel will announce the winners this fall.

Anyone may make a nomination, but recipients of the award must have graduated high school from a Crittenden County. Applications are available online by following this link.

Any nominee not inducted will be considered by the committee for three years after the initial nomination is submitted. They will not need to be renominated until after that three years is up.

What's News this week in Crittenden County...

A new transportation plan approved last week by the Kentucky House of Representatives would bode well for Crittenden County and the rest of the state traveling the commonwealth’s crumbling infrastructure, if it is OK’d by the upper chamber before the legislative session ends next month. The state’s transportation budget would finance ferry operations, shore up two structurally deficient bridges and build a new state highway maintenance facility in Crittenden County. It would also replace the U.S. 60 bridge at Smithland and begin construction on the second leg of the U.S. 641 relocation project.

For the full story and the following headlines, pick up a copy tomorrow of this week's issues of The Crittenden Press:

• Who done it mystery uncovered
• Trump wants low-income programs ended
• 2 felony indictments handed down
• Marion man pleads guilty to January 2017 home invasion
• Challengers file for board of education
• STLP develops app for school district STAFF REPORT
• Marion Postmaster Brooks relocated 
• High school students earn cash for APES program
• SENATE REVIEW: Outcry puts pension bill on hold
• HOUSE REVIEW: Medicaid reform, road plan clear House
• SPORTS: Record-setting Lady Rockets still seeking respect
• SPORTS: Moss adapts after ‘rocky’ college start
• SPORTS: Beverly seeking home of her own at 2B
• VAUGHT'S VIEWS: Signee Quickley on mission to be best he can be
• FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: Churches commonly named for surroundings
• Jobless rate for January down in Ky.
• Dossett changing lives with ministry, carpentry
• FBLA chapter, participants earn Region 1 awards
• And local obituaries

Ky. 135 at Sawmill Hollow now open

KY 135 is OPEN near the 4mm at Sawmill Hollow in Crittenden County. Floodwaters have dropped off the roadway allowing it to reopoen to traffic. All of KY 135 is now open through Crittenden County.

An updated copy of the KY Highway Water Over Road List for District 1 counties is available at Facebook.com/kytcdistrict1.

The most recent report is pinned at the top of the page. You do not have to be a Facebook member to access this page.

Ferry still closed; some roads open

The Cave In Rock Ferry remains closed due to high water. Judge-Executive Perry Newcom said operator Lonnie Lewis indicated the ferry would stay closed through at least today and likely into tomorrow. Following is a shrinking list of highways in Crittenden County that remain closed:

• KY 91 at 11.26mm- Cave-in-Rock Ferry CLOSED due to High Water
• KY 135 is CLOSED near the 4mm in Sawmill Hollow
• KY 1917/Wolf Creek Rd is CLOSED at the 1.5mm- Signs Posted
• KY 132 is CLOSED at the Tradewater River Bridge at the Crittenden-Webster County Line

City wants to sell gardens, fishing pond

Fresh fruits and vegetables will no longer be grown or given away on city property formerly knowns as the Victory Gardens. Fishing, at what’s become a public pond, will likely be eliminated next.

City leaders notified Jailer Robbie Kirk this past winter of Marion’s plan to put the property up for sale. Kirk said fencing and other improvements that facilitated the Victory Gardens are in the process of being removed and sold. Most of the improvements accumulated by a non-profit group that managed the Victory Gardens will be sold at public auction, Kirk said.

The gardens were a source of pride for the jail, Kirk explains, where inmates found a sense of worth as part of the team team planted, nurtured and distributed free fruits and vegetables each summer. The gardens also helped supplement the jail’s food pantry.

The gardens were in production for seven growing seasons on a portion of 42.25 acres of property purchased in 2004 by the City of Marion for $102,500. Fruit trees and blackberries were planted three years ago and some of those were expected to bear fruit this season.

Kirk is disappointed that the city will be selling the property, which puts and end to the garden concept.

“There are very few things we have that benefit this community so greatly,” Kirk said, “and these gardens was one of them.”

City Administrator Adam Ledford said a decision was made to sell the property in order to generate immediate funds for buying new equipment and making capital improvements to streets and other city infrastructure. A longterm benefit, he added, could be growth in the tax base. He said the large, mostly open, tract could be sold as is or subdivided. He said it’s one of the few places in the city conducive to new home development.

“This was a matter of evaluating whether this asset was working for the city or not,” Ledford said.

Perhaps, he said, the large, undeveloped parcel of land will better serve the city on the tax rolls instead of in a program that generated no tax dollars for the city.

The land was originally provided to a Native American group which had big plans for the property. Those fell through and a group made up largely of local churches formed a non-profit organization that started growing produce and giving it away free to the community. Crittenden County Detention Center joined the effort, providing inmate labor.

“It was a beautiful thing for the inmates,” the jailer said. “At first, they didn’t want to go out there, but then they grew to love it. When those elderly people would come by and get free vegetables I’ve seen these grown men – inmates – crying. It meant so much to them.”

Area death

Cena Mae Cobb, 81, of Salem died Sunday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Temps will eat snow soon Monday

It is still slick out there. Be careful driving this morning.

However, Sunday's wet snow turned mostly to slush when it hit road surfaces that had been warmed by sunshine over the last few days.  The slush aided state and local crews by making it easy for plows to push the snow off roadways, according to Kentucky DOT spokesman Keith Todd.

Roads re-froze overnight and black ice is everywhere this morning.

Crittenden County was one of the hardest hit areas of western Kentucky with some northern parts of the county reported 6 inches of snowfall.

Motorists are advised to use extra caution on the morning commute.  Some slick spots may linger through the early hours Monday, particularly on bridges and overpasses. Temperatures are expected to rise well above freezing later into the morning and the snow will be short lived.

Water over road update, including ferry service

The Cave In Rock Ferry remains closed and will likely remain closed Monday. The river at Shawneetown, Ill., as of 9:30 p.m. was 44 feet. The ferry typically can resume service around 41 feet, which is the forecast level for about 1 a.m. Tuesday. Highway crews must also clear away debris before the ferry can begin transporting vehicles across the Ohio River.

Following is the late road closing report from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet:

• KY 91 @ 11.26mm- Cave-in-Rock Ferry CLOSED due to High Water
• KY 135 is CLOSED near the 4mm in Sawmill Hollow
• KY 1917/Wolf Creek Rd is CLOSED at the 1.5mm- Signs Posted
• KY 120 is OPEN with Water Over Road signs posted at the 16mm near the Tradewater Bridge at the Crittenden-Webster Line
• KY 132 is CLOSED at the Tradewater River Bridge at the Crittenden-Webster County Line
• KY 135 is OPEN at the 5.4mm
• KY 135 is OPEN at the 7.35 mile marker just east of Tolu- signs posted
• KY 135 is CLOSED at the 12mm at the Hurricane Creek “One Lane” Bridge just west of KY 91- signs posted
• KY 135 is OPEN at the 6.6mm at the east edge of Tolu at the Claylick Creek Bridge
• KY 387 is OPEN at the 3.5mm near the End of State Maintenance at Riverfront Park

No School Monday at CCHS

Crittenden County has just announced there will be no school on Monday and it will be an alternative learning day known as Rocket Way Snow Day. It will be Lesson 5.

Area deaths

Bettie Babb Love, 96, of Louisville, formerly of Smithland, died Wednesday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services was in charge of arrangements.

Jack C. Dodson, 77, of Marion died Thursday. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Joe Glenn Curry, 86, of Salem died Saturday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Free tree seedlings next week

Due to a reporting error, the date for the free tree seedling giveaway from Crittenden County Conservation District was incorrectly state in The Crittenden Press. The annual giveaway will be next Friday, March 16.

Beaver Dam rest stop re-opens

The popular rest stop on the West Kentucky Parkway at Beaver Dam is now red-open.

Click here for more.

Daylight saving time begins Sunday

Daylight saving starts Sunday, shifting an hour of sunlight onto the end of the day. At 2 a.m. Sunday, clocks will spring forward an hour to 3 a.m., making church services seem a bit earlier than the usual. When the work week starts Monday, the sun will rise in Marion at 7:07 a.m. and won’t set until almost 12 hours later at 6:57 p.m.

As the days get longer, St. Patrick’s Day will offer an even 12 hours of both light and dark. Daylight will continue to grow longer until June 16, which offers 14 hours, 44 minutes of daylight. Daylight saving ends Nov. 4.

Area Death

Charles Willard Enoch Jr., 49, of Marion died Tuesday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Marion Murder Mystery will be solved Saturday

To sweeten the pot, The Press is adding Mystery Bucks
to the already attractive prize package.

The weather may not be the best over the weekend for Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce's  first-ever Murder Mystery contest and dinner theater, but the show will go on say organizers.

Gray skies may even add to the suspense and climate of the mystery, which is being co-sponsored by the Community Arts Foundation.

Character actors will be located all around Marion on Saturday between 10am and 3pm. Anyone interested in participating in the clue-finding can pick up their mystery packet at the Marion Welcome Center at City Hall.

Spend a little time at the scene of the alleged crime on Carlisle Street, interview some of the potential witnesses or suspects and then be sure to attend the coroner's news conference at noon at the courthouse gazebo. Help solve the riddle of "Who Killed Mr. Baseball" owner of the local Bobcats ball club.

At 6pm, there will be a Mystery Reveal Dinner at Fohs Hall (reservations required).

It's sure to be a fun filled day, and The Crittenden Press has just announced that it will be adding a $100 gift certificate to the prize package.

Colorectal screenings available from health department

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First United opens temporary Marion office

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What's news this week in Crittenden County...

Kentucky has a lot of work ahead, but little money to throw at the crumbling transportation infrastructure tied to its communities’ quality of life and economic viability. Aging and neglected roads are also costing vehicle owners almost $200 in otherwise unnecessary annual repairs, and they even threaten the safety of motorists. A February study by a national transportation research group found that 17 percent of county-maintained roads in the 12-county Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Highway District 1, which includes Crittenden County, are in poor shape.

For the rest of the story and the following headlines, pick up a copy of this week's issue of The Crittenden Press

• 16 county bridges structurally deficient, functionally obsolete
• Schools begin searches of students as they enter building
• Leaders return from Frankfort optimistic
• Victory Gardens wilt; city plans to sell acreage
• HOUSE REVIEW: House budget seeks $500M in new taxes
• SENATE REVIEW: Senate Republican pension bill not supportable
• Seniors driving home ownership
• Prep work started on U.S. 60 East upgrades
• Arflack begins position as U.S. Marshal
• Ky.’s 2017 unemployment rate lowest since 2000
• SPORTS: Rockets low on magic against Braves in 2nd Region Tourney
• OUTDOORS: Opening day’s buck ends season early, but Thompson scores prize
• VAUGHT'S VIEWS: Infatuation of ‘Blonde Bomber’ has roots in Marion

Also inside...
Find our five-page Here Comes the Bride supplement with all you need to prepare for your wedding day.

Job Corps Center has openings

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Machinery auction Saturday

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Firemen on scene of house fire

Volunteer fireman were dispatched to a house fire this morning before 6am on Crittenden Springs Road.

No one was inside the structure when fireman arrived. 

They are still on the scene working on the blaze.

Who killed Mr. Baseball? A Marion "whodunit"

An old-fashioned "Whodunit" is happening in Marion this weekend. 

Come help solve the mystery of who killed Mr. Baseball. 

The Chamber of Commerce and Community Arts Foundation presents a Murder Mystery from 10am to 3pm downtown. 

Then, there is a dinner theater and reveal at Fohs Hall at 6pm (reservations required for the meal).

For more information, call the Chamber office at 965-5015.

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for a special supplement with potential clues.

State Highway Water / Roads Report

Crittenden County
KY 91 @ 11.26mm- Cave-in-Rock Ferry CLOSED due to High Water
KY 135 is CLOSED near the 4mm in Sawmill Hollow
KY 1917/Wolf Creek Rd is CLOSED at the 1.5mm and 3.35mm- Signs Posted
KY 120 is CLOSED at the 15.9mm near the Tradewater Bridge at the Crittenden-Webster Line
KY 132 is CLOSED at the Tradewater River Bridge at the Crittenden-Webster County Line
KY 135 is CLOSED at the 5.4mm east of the Tolu Community- signs posted
KY 135 is CLOSED at the 7.35 mile marker just east of Tolu- signs posted
KY 135 is CLOSED at the 12mm at the Hurricane Creek “One Lane” Bridge just west of KY 91- signs posted
KY 135 is CLOSED at the 6.6mm at the east edge of Tolu at the Claylick Creek Bridge- signs posted
KY 387 is CLOSED at the 3.5mm near the End of State Maintenance at Riverfront Park
KY 365 is CLOSED at the 7.7mm at the Tradewater Bridge at the Crittenden-Union County Line

Livingston County
KY 137/River Rd is CLOSED from 0.0mm near US 60 extending northward to 15.45mm at KY 133 due to Water Over Road along much of this section
KY 133 is CLOSED at the 18.6 to 18.7mm near the KY 137 intersection at Berrys Ferry- signs posted
KY 137 has High Water signs posted at the 19.5 to 19.6
KY 917 is CLOSED at 7 to 7.2mm- signs posted
KY 917 is CLOSED at the 3.8 to 3.9mm- signs posted
KY 917 has High Water signs posted at the 3 to 4mm
KY 70 is CLOSED at the 0 to 11.36mm- Signs Posted
KY 1608 is CLOSED at the 2.2 to 2.8mm at Bayou Creek- Signs Posted
KY 453/Iuka Road is CLOSED at the 14.4 to 14.5mm just south of Smithland- Signs Posted

KY 1433 is CLOSED at 4 to 5mm- signs posted

Union County
KY 667/Bottoms Road is CLOSED from the 0mm to the 16mm due to Water Over Road- Signs Posted
KY 1452 is CLOSED from the 0 to 2mm due to Water Over Road- Signs posted
KY 1637 is CLOSED from the 0 to 1.1mm due to Water Over Road- Signs Posted
KY 130 is CLOSED from the 15 to 16mm due to Water Over Road- Signs Posted
KY 871 is CLOSED from the 3 to 5mm due to Water Over Road- Signs Posted
KY 1508 is CLOSED from the 2.6 to 6.2mm due to Water Over Road- Signs Posted
KY 360 is CLOSED at 5-7 mm
KY 360 is CLOSED at the 9 to 13mm- Signs Posted
KY 923 is CLOSED at the Sturgis Floodwall for Gate Installation 0-1mm
KY 923 is CLOSED at the 0-1 mm- signs posted
KY 56 has High Water signs posted at the 4 to 5mm
KY 2198 is CLOSED at 0.241mm near the KY 109 intersection
KY 365 is CLOSED at the 0.0mm at the Tradewater Bridge Crittenden-Union Co Line- Signs posted
US 60 is OPEN with High Water signs posted at the 23-26mm at the Union-Henderson County Line
US 60 is OPEN through Sturgis- However, some prep work has started in case floodwall gates have to be installed

Webster County
KY 132 is CLOSED at the 2.9 to 6mm
KY 143 is CLOSED at the 0 to 6.7mm
KY 120 is CLOSED at the 0 to 2.1mm- signs posted
KY 132 is CLOSED at the 0-1mm near the Tradewater River Bridge at the Crittenden-Webster County Line
KY 1525 is CLOSED at the 0 to 1.6mm- signs posted
KY 109 is CLOSED at the 9 to 11.4mm near the Wheatcroft community between Clay and Sullivan

KY 493 has High Water signs posted at the 2 to 2.1mm just south of KY 109 near Wheatcroft

Soggy doughnuts anyone?

A Krispy Kreme Doughnuts delivery truck became stranded Saturday morning in flood waters across Ky. 365 near the Crittenden and Union County line.

The driver managed to get out safely and was warming inside a deputy's cruiser when this photograph was taken.

A number of roads throughout western Kentucky remain flooded from backward oozing into low lying areas from nearby rivers. It can be very dangerous to attempt to cross roads covered in water.

Area deaths

Johnie Allen Travis, 87, of Marion died Friday. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements. 

Geneva Marie Matheny, 89, of Madisonville died Thursday. Barnett-Strother Funeral Home in Madisonville is in charge of arrangements. 

Patricia Gale Anderson, 74, of Madisonville, formerly of Marion, died Saturday, Feb. 24. Myers Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Phyllis Kay Millikan, 71, of Marion died Friday. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements. 

Library has Mystery Week

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Rosebud Hill upgrades begin Monday

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to start some preliminary work for a coming safety project along US 60 in the Rosebud Hill area of Crittenden County on Monday.

A tree and brush cutting crew plans to start work along US 60 between the KY 654 intersection at mile-point 15.65 in the Mattoon community extending eastward to the Crittenden-Union County line near the 25-mile marker. This work is to prepare for a Highway Safety Improvement Project (HSIP) along a 7-mile section of U.S. 60 in Crittenden County.

Motorists should slow down and be alert for one lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers. The tree and brush cutting crew expects to be working along this section anytime weather allows for the next few weeks.

The coming safety project will include the addition of a gravel shoulder, some additional high-traction coating , pavement wedging adjustments, removal of cross drain header walls, extending some of the cross drains and culverts, as well as slope improvements and tree removal at some locations along the right of way.

The project is aimed at reducing the number of wet-weather crashes along this section of US 60.

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

Westate Construction, Inc. of Hopkinsville is the prime contractor on this $1.9 million highway safety improvement project.

Farmers Health Savings Account

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Rockets play Union tonight at Henderson

The Fifth District champion Rockets (7-19) face Sixth District runner-up Union County (14-15) in tonight's opening round of the Second Region Tournament at Henderson County.

The Rockets are a surprise team in the regional tournament after finishing with the worst regular-season record in the region. Their upset of Livingston Central in the district opener put the entire region on notice that Crittenden can be a spoiler. Livingston was widely considered one of the top teams in the region.

Union County beat the Rockets by 15 during their only regular-season meeting and the Braves had won five of six games before losing 64-42 to Henderson County in the Sixth District championship last week.

Fans headed to the game should be on the lookout for flash flooding. There is a strong possibility that US 60 could be closed north of Morganfield near the Union County Line due to high water. If so, those headed to the game will need to seek an alternate route, perhaps taking Ky. 359 out of Morganfield to Smith Mills then Ky. 136 into Henderson.

Grab a Pizza or Sub when you head toward the Game!

Latest road closings due to high water

Ky. 135 area known as Sawmill Hollow is closed.

The latest road closings as of 10:25 a.m. Thursday

Ky. 365 at the Tradewater River is now closed and another 2-mile section of Ky. 135 has been closed due to high water. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reports the following highway closures in Crittenden County:

• Ky. 387 at the end of state maintenance at Riverview Park
• Ky. 135 at the one-lane bridge over Hurricane Creek at the 12-mile marker
• Ky. 135 at the 7.35 mile-point just east of Tolu
• Ky. 135 from 0-2.1 mile-points
• Ky. 135 at the 5.4-mile marker east of Tolu
• Ky. 135 at the 4 mile-point in Sawmill Hollow
• Ky. 132 at the Tradewater River Bridge at the Webster County line
• Ky. 120 at the Webster County line
• Ky. 91 North south of the ferry landing. The Cave In Rock Ferry will be closed for several days until the river stage lowers.
• Ky. 1917/Wolf Creek Road at the 1.5 and 3.35 mile-points 
• Ky. 365 at the 7.5 mile-point at the Tradewater Bridge

Several county roads were closed due to high water. The list includes:

• Enon Church Road
• Cool Springs Road
• Blackford Church Road
• Long Branch Road
• Bells Mines Road
• Baker Hollow Road
• Old Ford's Ferry Road
• Hebron Church Road
• Aunt Jane Tabernacle Road
• G.O. Weldon Road
• Charlie May Road
• Phinn Croft Road
• Barnett Chapel Road
• Monroe Wesmoland Road
• Weston Road
• Axel Creek Road
• Henry Road
• Tabor Road
   

Tornado drill sirens

The emergency sirens that sounded shortly after 9 AM today throughout Crittenden County were part of a state wide tornado drill.

Hometown Heating Serves Local Area

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