BP Cruce Company has gravel, mulch & more

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As summer heat subsides and thoughts are turned toward outdoor improvements, don't forget BP Cruce Company for gravel, mulch, topsoil and compost.

Cruce Rock yard is located on US 641 just south of the Marion city limits, and offers pickup and delivery in small to large quantities.

Fohs Hall celebrates 100 years

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Historic Fohs Hall is turning 100. 

In celebration of the milestone, Fohs Hall, Inc., has 

planned a Centennial Ball and rededication ceremony for 

Oct. 23-24. 

Tickets remain available for the ball, and the community 

is encouraged to make plans to attend the ceremony Oct. 24.

COMBATING ROADSIDE VEGETATION

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County has lost two-thirds of its fleet of mowing tractors to equipment failures, leaving the road department scrambling to maintain county roads.

With roadside grass and weeds growing rapidly, tall vegetation has become one of residents’ biggest complaints, say local leaders. County officials put a plan in action at last week's fiscal court meeting.

See what the county plans to do in this week’s Crittenden Press.

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Casting Call | CAF Christmas pageant

Community Arts Foundation and Fohs Hall are inviting actors of all ages to audition for this year’s holiday production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, coming to the Fohs Hall stage December 11–13.

In this funny and heartwarming Christmas classic, the annual church Christmas pageant takes an unexpected turn when the Herdman children – the rowdiest kids in town – show up and take over the production. They may know very little about the Christmas story and have very unconventional ideas about how a pageant should be done, but their unexpected involvement brings a fresh perspective to a story the community thought it knew.

Auditions will be conducted through online video submissions, with all auditions due September 24. Auditions are open to all ages, but actors must be able to read the script independently. No previous stage experience is required. Community Arts Foundation is encouraging both experienced performers and those who have always wanted to try theatre to submit an audition.

Audition materials and instructions are available online. Live callbacks may be held after video submissions have been reviewed.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is the kind of show that gives a lot of people a chance to be part of the story,” said Kim Vince, a Community Arts Foundation board member. “We’re looking forward to seeing both familiar faces and people who may be stepping onto the stage for the very first time.”

More information can be found at communityartsfoundation.org

Standoff ends with sex offender's arrest

MARION, Ky. – A Marion man was arrested Friday night after police said he barricaded himself inside a Red Bird Court residence where officers later found firearms and illegal drugs.

Marion police responded to 124 Red Bird Court, Lot 8, after a woman reported that she had been confronted by 40-year-old Rickey Loomis, who allegedly pointed a handgun at her. Police said Loomis also had active warrants.

Loomis initially refused to come outside and barricaded himself and four other people inside the home, including a 17-year-old girl, police said. Officers obtained a search warrant, forced open the door and arrested Loomis.

During a search of the home, officers allegedly found two handguns matching those described by the complaining witness, along with methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Loomis is a convicted felon and is listed on the Kentucky Sex Offender Registry.

Marion Police Chief Bobby West said charges against him include first-degree wanton endangerment, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, firearm-enhanced possession of methamphetamine and marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, unlawful transaction with a minor, possession of a legend drug, possession of a prescription drug outside its original container and a couple of charges for failure to appear.

Hunter Ed Course set for here Oct. 3

MARION, Ky. – A Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources certified Hunter Education Course will be held starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Crittenden County Extension Park, formerly the Gun Club and 4-H Shooting Sports facility at 2264 KY 91 North in Marion.

Kentucky hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, who are at least 12 years old must complete an approved hunter education course and attend an in-person range day to receive a hunter education card. The range certification will be included in this course.

Go Vote | Here's how, when and where

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HIGHWAY 91 REMAINS CLOSED

BETWEEN FREDONIA & PRINCETON

KY 91 in Caldwell County was closed Friday afternoon following a semi crash near Bright Hill Road.

The highway was blocked between KY 139 in Princeton and KY 70 in Fredonia. A marked detour was established using KY 139 and KY 70.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet estimated at 2:15 p.m. that cleanup would take an additional two to three hours.

POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

MARION, Ky. - Members of Virgil Jones VFW Post 12022 and its Auxiliary joined local officials Friday at Marion City Hall to observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

A wreath was presented at City Hall in remembrance of American prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed annually on the third Friday in September.

Attending the ceremony in the group photo were, from left, Ron Ledford, Auxiliary trustee; Marion Mayor D’Anna Browning; Sue Ledford, Auxiliary vice president; Tina Jones, Auxiliary guard; Joe Lanham, senior vice commander; Gwen Melton, Auxiliary secretary; Mona Lozen, Auxiliary treasurer; Lynn Goodrich, post commander; Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom; and Nancy Lanham, Auxiliary president. 

All property tax rates are now final

 

MARION, Ky. – All of Crittenden County’s 2026 property tax rates are now final.

Marion City Council gave final approval to the city’s rate Thursday night. Crittenden Fiscal Court took no action Thursday on the Lower Tradewater River Watershed District’s proposed rate, but the district’s rate will still be set at 37.097 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Some rates increased, some decreased and others remained unchanged. What does it all mean for your tax bill?

Check out your Crittenden Press for a complete explanation of the final rates and how they affect you.

Mountain lion sightings in sothern Illinois

 

Illinois wildlife officials have confirmed sightings of a mountain lion in southern Illinois following multiple sightings in Union and Jackson counties along the Mississippi River.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said the sightings are believed to involve the same animal in each situation.

Mountain lions are rare visitors to Illinois. IDNR said this is the 12th confirmed mountain lion in the state since 2002. Previous confirmed animals have generally been 2- to 3-year-old males, with DNA analysis indicating they dispersed from western populations, likely in Nebraska and the Dakotas.

If the current animal followed a similar path, it would have traveled hundreds of miles before reaching southern Illinois.

IDNR advises anyone who encounters the mountain lion to leave it alone and not approach it. Sightings can be reported to wildlife biologists through the Wildlife Illinois website. 

Colorado woman injured in 641 crash

A Colorado woman was flown to a Nashville-area hospital with life-threatening injuries following a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 641 between Eddyville and Fredonia

Emergency personnel were called to the scene near Coleman-Doles Road around 8:52 p.m. Sept. 16. Deputies found an overturned, heavily damaged vehicle but no occupant inside. A search of a nearby cornfield located the unresponsive driver, who had been ejected a considerable distance from the vehicle.

A preliminary investigation found that a 2007 Jeep Commander driven south by Ashley M. Meads-Lemon, 38, of Greeley, Colorado, failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle struck a mailbox, continued off the roadway and hit a concrete culvert headwall before overturning.

Investigators believe speed and alcohol contributed to the crash.

U.S. 641 was closed for about 90 minutes. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, Lyon County EMS, Eddyville Fire Department and Air Evac responded.

Deputy Luke Fraley is leading the investigation.

Hayes resigns effective end of month

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County Jailer Athena Hayes announced her resignation during Thursday night’s Crittenden County Fiscal Court meeting.

Hayes’ resignation will be effective Sept. 30, ending her tenure about three months before completion of the four-year term to which she was elected in 2022. 

Hayes was elected jailer in November 2022 and took office in January 2023.

She had sought a second term, but was defeated by former jailer Robbie Kirk in the May Republican primary. Hayes and Kirk were the two Republican candidates who filed for the office and there is no Democratic opposition in the Nov. 3 election. 

Her resignation will create a vacancy in the county office for the remainder of the current term. 

Hayes said she did not want to comment further.

Under Kentucky law, the county judge-executive appoints the person who fills a vacancy in the office of jailer. 

No announcement has been made about an appointment. 

 

Gov. Beshear's update singles out local water district

Crittenden-Livingston Water District was featured today during Gov. Andy Beshear’s Team Kentucky Update, which was produced live on YouTube and across other social media.

The district has received a grant to install a filtration system designed to remove PFAS – a group of long-lasting chemicals – from the public water supply.

District Superintendent Abby Adamson, who was interviewed for the segment, credited the Kentucky Division of Water with helping the district develop the project.

The Crittenden-Livingston segment begins about 23 minutes into the Sept. 17 update, which can be viewed at The Press Online. 

The filtration system is part of a more than $60 million expansion and improvement project at the water district. 

Free Dump Days in Livingston County

Livingston County will offer free dump days Oct. 15-17 at the county transfer station on Cutoff Road. The facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Tires will not be accepted.

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Chamber Lunch & Learn | Topic is Housing

Help lay the foundation for Crittenden County’s future!

Join the Chamber of Commerce for a Housing Lunch & Learn at noon Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Rocket Arena.

Housing affects more than where we live. It influences our workforce, supports local businesses and plays a critical role in our community’s ability to grow.

For just $15, you can join this important conversation, learn more about local housing needs and help shape the future of Crittenden County.

🎟️ Tickets are $15. Register here:
https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/crittencocofc/laying-the-foundation-lunch-and-learn

We hope to see a strong turnout from Chamber members and others invested in our community’s future!

CRH has plenty of vegetables remaining

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Cumberland River Homes'S VEGGETABLE STAND is open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays.

Delivery orders should be emailed to jwring@crh111.org. Orders should be placed early to help ensure same-day delivery. Customers may also email questions about products or delivery areas.

Donations to support Cumberland River Homes may be made at www.cumberlandriverhomes.org or mailed to Cumberland River Homes, 111 N. Hayden Ave., Salem, KY 42078. Supporters may also help by following the organization on Facebook and sharing its posts.

Lyon student charged in shooting threat

A 15-year-old student was detained Friday after allegedly threatening to bring a gun to Lyon County High School and shoot people indiscriminately, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Department.

School district personnel notified school resource officers of the reported threat around 12:30 p.m. Sept. 11 after a principal received information about statements allegedly made by a student.

SRO Deputy Jason Young interviewed multiple witnesses and identified the student believed to have made the threats. Following consultation with the Lyon County Attorney’s Office, the juvenile, who lives in Princeton, was charged with second-degree terroristic threatening, a Class D felony.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Sheriff Brent White praised students who immediately reported the statements to adults. He said communication among students, school administrators and resource officers was critical to gathering evidence before anyone was harmed.