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🍂 This week in The Early Bird 🍂

Your weekly look at what’s happening around the community!

Hello, Early Bird Readers!

Halloween weekend is here, and there’s plenty happening around the community! From local Halloween festivities to a fun night at Fohs Hall, this week’s Early Bird is filled with events, community news and information you won’t want to miss.

🎃 Friday Fun Around the Community!

🍬 All Treats and No Tricks at Emmanuel Baptist Church

Bring the family out this Friday from 4–7 p.m. for the All Treats and No Tricks Shine event at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

👻 Trick or Treat on Main Street

Get ready for a fun-filled Halloween evening! Trick or Treat on Main Street takes place this Friday. Make plans to get out and Trick or Treat around Main Street in Marion, KY. See participating businesses in this week’s Early Bird!

🎭 A Fun Night at Fohs Hall

Looking for something fun to do Friday night? The Tapestry and Fohs Hall are teaming up for a fun evening, with doors opening at 5 p.m. Check out this week’s Early Bird for more details and make plans to join the fun!

🗳️ IMPORTANT NOTICE: County Clerk’s Office on Election Day

Please plan ahead! The Crittenden County Clerk’s Office will be closed on Election Day for all business except election-related business. If you need to take care of other county clerk business, be sure to plan accordingly.

📰 There’s More Waiting in This Week’s Early Bird!

From community happenings and informative news to local businesses and opportunities, this week’s edition is worth a look.

🔎 Be sure to check out the Classifieds! Whether you’re looking for something to buy, a place to rent, services or other local opportunities, you never know what you might find. Have something to sell or an announcement to share? The Classifieds are a great way to get the word out!

🛍️ Shop Local. Read Local. Stay Connected.

🌐 Read online: earlybirdky.com

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City Council will meet in special session

 Marion City Council will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at City Hall, 217 S. Main St., to consider awarding work for zoning meters and meter installation at unique locations.

The agenda also includes a resolution authorizing an agreement with Integrity Water and Energy LLC for the meters and installation.

Letters to the Editor | Regarding Election

Former county judge weighs in on election

To the editor:

I have lived in this community my entire life, except for the years I spent serving in the U.S. Army. I also have had the privilege of serving this community as a county magistrate, judge-executive and city council member. For many years, my wife and I have been active in organizing the Crittenden County Food Bank.

Although my health prevents me from being as active in the community as I once was, I continue to keep up with what is happening. I have followed the current election cycle, and I have serious concerns about the future of our community.

Crittenden County has been through some very difficult times in recent years, including the pandemic, inflation and challenging economic conditions here at home. Through it all, I believe Perry Newcom has worked hard to keep the county financially sound. Considering the difficult hand he has been dealt, I believe he has done an excellent job as judge-executive.

Newcom has the experience and knowledge necessary to lead the county for another four years.

He won the Republican nomination and now faces opposition from a write-in candidate who regularly posts about county issues on social media. While I agree with some of the points the candidate makes, I believe his posts often leave out important context. In my view, he has not demonstrated the experience or understanding of government needed to work effectively with federal, state and local officials.

Decisions made by county government can have lasting consequences, and poor decisions could place this community’s future in jeopardy.

This election is important to Crittenden County’s future. I encourage everyone to take it seriously and vote Nov. 3. I will be supporting Perry Newcom, and I hope you will, too.

Fred Brown
Crittenden Judge-Executive Retired
Marion, Ky.

Voter says county has one choice for judge

To the editor:

I want to address my fellow voters of Crittenden County. We have another vote coming up in our county soon. I want to say how I think and feel about this.

We have a great county judge-executive and magistrates in office at this time trying to balance the budget. We have had a large problem with the Crittenden County Detention Center not being run efficiently. We have fixed that problem as voters and have got Robbie Kirk going back to the jail to help correct the shortcomings. 

We do have other issues in our county that officials are working on and trying to address and find the right solutions. Judge-Executive Perry Newcom and his administration are the right choice for these issues at a critical time.

I have noticed we have a write-in candidate running for this office that I do not believe he knows anything about. He is someone who makes untrue statements about things and people he disagrees with. He has made what I believe to be inaccurate statements about matters of other county officials that should be none of his concern, and they appear only to cause hurt. 

He is also someone who is hiding behind an assumed name “Jebediah Yoder” on social media to trash people and the reputations they carry.

I believe these actions show he lacks honesty and integrity. He is not someone who I want in any office in my community.

So ask yourselves this question: Who will get your vote?

I know who will be getting mine. 

This individual doesn’t need an elected seat in our county now, or ever.

Perry Newcom is the perfect and only choice at this time to ensure that this county keeps going strong. He is the right person at the right time.

I am a sincerely concerned voter and long-time resident of Crittenden County.

Monty Riley
Marion, Ky.

Local voter endorses Newcom for county judge 

To the editor:

I am writing to express my strong support for Perry Newcom's re-election as Judge Executive of Crittenden County. Having worked closely with Perry over the last few years, I have gained an appreciation for his leadership style, dedication to our community, and proven ability to deliver results.

What distinguishes Perry as a leader is his willingness to address difficult issues rather than avoid them. He understands that effective governance sometimes requires having challenging conversations and making tough decisions. Perry has consistently demonstrated the courage to advocate for our county's interests, even when facing significant obstacles. He approaches every challenge with determination and a clear focus on what's best for the people of Crittenden County.

 Perry is not content with simply maintaining the status quo. Instead, he actively seeks solutions to longstanding problems that affect our residents' quality of life. Time and again, I have watched him navigate complex issues with patience, persistence, and a genuine commitment to achieving meaningful outcomes. His ability to work effectively with various stakeholders, from local officials to state representatives, has proven invaluable in advancing our county's priorities.

Beyond his professional capabilities, Perry possesses the integrity and character we should expect from our elected officials. He listens carefully to constituents' concerns, takes them seriously, and follows through on his commitments. He treats everyone with respect and maintains open lines of communication with the community he serves.

Perry has earned the trust of this community through his actions, and he has consistently demonstrated that he has both the capability and the determination to continue moving our county forward.

I encourage my fellow citizens to support Perry Newcom for re-election as Judge Executive. I am confident that he will continue to serve Crittenden County with the same commitment and effectiveness that has defined his tenure thus far.

Andy Hunt,
Marion, Ky.

-- Letters submitted to The Crittenden Press -- 

LADY ROCKETS ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS

Crittenden County swept Madisonville-North Hopkins 25-17, 25-21, 25-21 Monday night in the opening round of the Second Region Volleyball Tournament. Braelyn Merrill led the Lady Rockets with 13 kills and four aces, reaching 500 career kills and breaking the school's single-season kills record.

The Lady Rockets (18-14) will face Christian County (24-13) Wednesday night at Trigg County in the regional semifinals.

Senate candidate Barr stops in Marion today

MARION, Ky. - Republican U.S. Senate nominee Andy Barr visited Crittenden County Monday, pledging support for Western Kentucky’s farmers, energy resources and economic future during a campaign meet-and-greet in Marion.

“I’ll work with him to fight for Crittenden County,” Barr said of Judge-Executive Perry Newcom, who endorsed him in the primary. Both Newcom and Livingston County Judge-Executive Michael Williams joined Barr at the event. 

Newcom praised Barr’s record and said he could “hit the ground running on day one.”

Barr is seeking to succeed U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in the Nov. 3 election.

Rocket runners headed to state meet

Crittenden County’s boys’ cross country team will compete in the Class A state championship Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The 5-kilometer race begins at 2:45 p.m. 

The Rockets qualified by finishing third at last Saturday’s Region 1 Super Regional Championship at Trigg County High School. Crittenden scored 75 points, behind University Heights (41) and Trigg County (59).

Sophomore Noah Martinez led the Rockets, placing 10th in 18:53.16, followed by junior CJ Nelson, 12th in 19:02.26. Seniors River Rogers and Aiden Musser finished 15th and 17th in 19:14.09 and 19:27.51, respectively. Freshman Miles Yates completed the scoring, placing 32nd in 21:47.41.

Barrett Brown finished in 25:51.11 and Colt Hayes in 28:55.81.

Pictured are Rocket cross country runners who qualified as a team for the state meet. They are (from left) Aiden Musser, Miles Yates, Noah Martinez, CJ Nelson, Barrett Brown, Colt Hayes and River Rogers.

See more in this week's newspaper. 

LEPC will meet Tuesday

The Crittenden County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will meet Tuesday, October 27 at 5:00 p.m. in the Emergency Operations Center at 275 Industrial Dr. Marion.

Fohs rededication is Saturday

The rededication of Fohs Hall begins at 2 p.m., Saturday during its centennial celebration.

The building was donated to the community by Julius Fohs and first used a school before being renovated and converted to the community center it is today.

The public is invited to attend the rededication event, which will include remarks from descendants of Julius Fohs and others and songs from its original dedication in 1926.

Early voting begins next week

Click Image to enlarge

 

MPD reports monthly activity

 

The Marion Police Report is a monthly feature 

published in The Crittenden Press

EDITORIAL | Selecting the judge-executive

CRITTENDEN PRESS EDITORIAL 

 The race for Crittenden County judge-executive deserves serious consideration. The office carries substantial responsibility for county finances, public services, infrastructure and relationships with other units of government. It demands sound judgment, accountability and an ability to work through disagreements.

Incumbent Perry Newcom is the only candidate whose name appears on the ballot. He faces a write-in challenge from Kent Withrow, who has also used the social media name Jebediah Yoder.

Newcom is not beyond criticism. His decisions deserve scrutiny, and voters are entitled to expect answers from him. No elected official should be insulated from legitimate questions about public spending, government operations or the exercise of authority.

Withrow is equally entitled to raise those questions. Challenging government is a fundamental part of the democratic process. But asking questions is only the beginning of responsible leadership. Those who seek public office should be prepared to examine the facts, acknowledge information that challenges their positions and offer workable solutions.

A county judge-executive must also understand the limits of county authority, distinguish county responsibilities from those belonging to municipal and state governments, and maintain productive relationships with people who disagree.

We have found far too little of this on social media.

Withrow has frequently used social media to criticize local government, public officials and this newspaper. Readers deserve to know that our publication has been among the targets of his criticism when

Lady Rocket district dynasty continues

 

 SMITHLAND, Ky. – Crittenden County extended its Fifth District volleyball reign this week, defeating Trigg County in Monday’s district tournament semifinal and Lyon County in Tuesday’s championship match at Livingston Central.

The Lady Rockets captured their ninth consecutive district tournament title and stretched their district winning streak to 52 matches. Crittenden hasn’t lost to a district opponent since falling to Trigg County in the 2017 tournament.

The two postseason victories improved Crittenden’s record to 17-14 after the Lady Rockets entered as the top seed with a 6-0 district mark.

Against Trigg, Crittenden turned aside the last district team to beat it, securing another championship appearance. The Lady Rockets then defeated a Lyon County program making its first district tournament appearance in its inaugural varsity season. 

It was a highly contested title match that went five sets as CCHS won in dramatic fashion, 25-19, 15-25, 13-25, 25-20, 15-12. Lady Rocket Maddie Hearell was honored following the match for her school-record 629th assist. Also, Hearell, Grayson Travis, Braelyn Merrill and Ava Tabor were chosen for the all-district team.

Crittenden and district runner-up Lyon County advance to the Second Region Tournament that starts Monday at Trigg County.

In the semifinal match on Monday, Crittenden County shook off a second-set loss to beat Trigg County 25-7, 18-25, 25-18, 25-20. The Lady Rockets’ victory earned them a spot in Tuesday’s championship against Lyon County.

Lyon County Sheriff's Report

 LYON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MEDIA RELEASE

• On Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, around 8:30 p.m., Deputy Kip Darnell served a criminal complaint and court summons on Michelle R. Grant, 45, of Eddyville, charging her with theft by deception as it pertained to a cold check written to the Lyon Fiscal Court.
• On Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, just before midnight, Deputies Kip Darnell and Bobby Beeler were sitting stationary at Saratoga Methodist Church when they observed a 2009 Honda motorcycle crash in a nearby ditch on Ky. 293. Upon checking on the driver, Deputy Darnell identified him as Seth C. Trusty, 18, of Princeton. Following a roadside investigation, Trusty was charged with no registration receipt, no or expired registration plate, failure to maintain required insurance/security, first offense, and no motorcycle operator’s license. During the interaction, Trusty became upset and stated several times that he would not be appearing in court and would not pay any fines. Trusty was subsequently arrested on the charges and lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.
• On Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, around 12:54 a.m., Deputies Kip Darnell and Bobby Beeler were dispatched to a disturbance at a Kuttawa business. Upon arrival at the business, Deputy Darnell identified Andrew T. Knowles, 20, of Madisonville, as the subject involved. It was determined Knowles was the subject of another disturbance investigation in McCracken County earlier the previous evening. He was found to be manifestly intoxicated and was arrested for alcohol intoxication in a public place, first or second offense. Knowles was later lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.
• On Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, around 9:40 a.m., school resource officer Deputy Jason Young was called upon to investigate an incident in the high school where a 17-year-old student from Princeton
  
  
• 
  
  exhibited a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. After locating the student, Young administered a sobriety test to the student and determined he was extremely intoxicated. He was detained and charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place, first or second offense. He was later released to the custody of a parent by the authority of a court-designated worker.
• On Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, around 5:15 p.m., Deputies Kip Darnell and Bobby Beeler were dispatched to a three-vehicle injury collision on U.S. 62 at the intersection of Fowler Road. The

SEPTEMBER | Weather Almanac

Summer held on through much of September in Crittenden County, producing the year’s highest temperature and the warmest September average in the local figures dating to 2016. Kentucky Mesonet data show September’s average temperature was 76.3 degrees, up 4.2 degrees from September 2025. 

The next-warmest September in the 11-year comparison was 2018, when the average reached 73.7 degrees. The thermometer climbed to 97.9 degrees Sept. 5, topping every monthly high recorded so far in 2026. August’s highest reading was 94.8 degrees, while July peaked at 93.7. 

September recorded 13 days with temperatures reaching at least 90 degrees. Average daily highs were 86.9 degrees, and average lows were 65.6. A late-month cooldown brought a more seasonal feel. Highs stayed in the upper 60s Sept. 22-23, and the month’s lowest temperature, 46.3 degrees, was recorded Sept. 28. Rainfall totaled 2.81 inches, compared with 3.4 inches in September 2025 and 6.5 inches in September 2024. 

This year’s total was slightly above August’s 2.54 inches but well below July’s 7.59 inches. Much of September’s rain arrived during a brief stretch Sept. 9-11. The wettest day, Sept. 11, delivered 1.62 inches, nearly 58% of the month’s total. Measurable rainfall of at least one-hundredth of an inch was recorded on four days. Through September, the monthly figures show 31.26 inches of precipitation for 2026. July remains the year’s wettest month, while February was the driest with just half an inch.

 

See this week's Bird

🍂 This week in the Early Bird 🍂

Your weekly look at what’s happening around the community!

Hello, Early Bird Readers!

A new week brings another edition of The Early Bird Shoppers Guide, filled with community happenings, local information, seasonal events, and plenty of reasons to shop local! Take a few minutes to explore this week’s edition and see what’s happening around the area.

🙏 Revival at Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church

🥫 Crittenden County Food Bank Distribution This Friday!

🎃 Halloween Fun at Fohs Hall!

📅 Crittenden County Tax Collection Schedule

📰 Take a Trip Back in Time With The Salem Scene!

The Salem Scene is back with a look into the past, featuring stories from October 1913 and 1958. If you enjoy local history and discovering what was happening in our communities decades ago, don’t miss this month’s historical look back!

🛍️ Shop Local & Explore This Week’s Advertisements

Your local businesses have plenty to share! Browse this week’s advertisements to discover products, services, shopping opportunities, and more. Many ad links take you directly to the advertiser’s website or Facebook page, so be sure to click and learn more about what our local businesses offer.

🏷️ Check Out the Classifieds!

Looking for a yard sale, a place to rent, something to buy, or a service you need? Take a look through the Classifieds and see what you can find!

📲 Keep Up With The Early Bird All Week Long

Read the complete edition online and follow The Early Bird for more local information, community happenings, and shopping opportunities.

🌐 Read online: earlybirdky.com

Your weekly look at what’s happening around the community!

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Livingston considering road closures near quarry

Livingston County Fiscal Court has begun the process of considering the closure of several county roads near Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel at Pinckneyville as the company plans an expansion of its mining operation.

The roads under consideration include Cook Springs Road, Spencer Road and a portion of Maddox Loop, Judge-Executive Michael Williams said following the court’s Sept. 22 meeting.

Williams emphasized that no final decision has been made. The process will include public notice, hearings and discussions with residents who could be affected by the closures.

In other business from last month’s court meeting, magistrates approved $483,715 in monthly bills, including payroll and purchases.

The court also approved an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for an 80-20 reimbursement program for culvert work. Livingston County has identified about 40 deteriorated culverts on county roads.

The county expects to spend at least $100,000 on the projects and could receive up to $80,000 in state reimbursement. It will have up to three years to complete the work.

The county has also received state approval to establish a free residential brush disposal site at the Livingston County Transfer Station on the Cut Off Road. Residents will be able to drop off brush during regular operating hours once the site is ready. Commercial tree-trimming companies will not be permitted to use the service.

The county plans to periodically burn accumulated brush under an air-quality permit.

Lady Rockets continue making history

Macandliss Chittenden returns a shot during Monday's match.

Crittenden County will play Lyon County for the Fifth District volleyball championship at 6 tonight at Livingston Central.

The Lady Rockets beat Trigg County 25-7, 18-25, 25-18, 25-20 Monday for their 51st straight district victory. They are seeking a ninth consecutive district tournament title.

Lyon County advanced with a five-set win over Livingston Central in its inaugural season. Both finalists earned berths in next week’s Second Region Tournament.

Mexico bridge replacement begins soon

A bridge replacement project on Mexico Road in Crittenden County was expected to begin this week, with completion anticipated in early to mid-January, weather permitting.

The new bridge will be built at mile point 2.46, about 2.5 miles northwest of Ky. 70 near Reiters View Road. The county received $550,000 through the state’s County-City Bridge Improvement Program for the project.

Motorists must use alternate routes during construction and should not move or drive around road closure barricades.

Christmas program at Fohs Hall

A Community Christmas Celebration sponsored by Livingston Hospital will be held at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Fohs Hall in Marion.

The event will feature a catered dinner and a performance by Cutter & Cash and The Kentucky Grass. Tickets are available for dinner and the show, with 100 dinner-and-show tickets offered. Show-only tickets also are available.

Podcast is on Pause

 

Our Monday and Thursday podcast series 

is temporarily on pause. We hope to resume it soon.