Ferry will stop running after Tuesday

MARION, Ky. - Cave-In-Rock Ferry will suspend operations Tuesday night if a new operating contract is not signed before the current agreement expires, according to a statement released Monday by owner Lonnie Ray Lewis, Inc.

The announcement comes just days after the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Illinois Department of Transportation announced they had presented the Ohio River Ferry Authority with a two-year agreement that would continue state funding for the ferry through fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The proposed contract provides $1.878 million annually, matching the level of state funding provided during the past two fiscal years.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman said the proposal reflects a commitment to maintain ferry service despite declining state budgets.

“Given the vital role the ferry serves in regional transportation, we’re offering to maintain the same level of funding even as our agency faces declining budgets,” Goodman said. “This is a substantial commitment to support not just the ferry but the businesses and residents who rely on it.”

However, Lonnie Ray Lewis, Inc., which owns and operates the privately owned ferry, said it has rejected both KYTC’s initial funding offer made several weeks ago and a proposed contract received Friday, June 26.

According to the company’s statement, the proposed agreement contains no increase in funding from the allocation provided two years ago despite what it described as sharply rising operating costs.

The release also notes the ferry operator had previously submitted a proposal seeking additional state funding. KYTC said that proposal requested a 47% increase in state support with no increase in service levels. The transportation cabinet said state reimbursements for the ferry have more than doubled since 2018, increasing from about $804,000 to $1.878 million annually, while noting that Kentucky’s other state-supported ferries have experienced much smaller cost increases and that some also charge user fees.

If no agreement is reached by Tuesday, June 30, the ferry’s final trip will depart the Kentucky landing at approximately 9:50 p.m. and dock on the Illinois side around 10 p.m., ending service.

The company said ferry operations will resume once an agreement is reached and a contract is fully executed.

The statement was addressed to Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom and members of the Ohio River Ferry Authority.

The Cave-In-Rock Ferry has been owned and operated by Lonnie Ray Lewis, Inc. since September 1994. The ferry provides a free crossing between Crittenden County, Kentucky, and Hardin County, Illinois, and carries more than 200,000 vehicles each year through a funding partnership between Kentucky and Illinois.

Youth Football Camp Contest Winners

 

Rocket Youth Football Camp Awards

Rocket Youth Football camp was last week on the high school campus with 65 young athletes participating in three days of instruction, drills and competition. Pictured above are award winners from the event’s punt, pass, kick and obstacle course competition. They are (from left) Cade Collins, Max Brown, Carson Hill, Rowan Berry, Will Hurley, Davis Polk, Case Berry, Kayden Atwell, Jacob McKinney, Grayson Pritchett, Beckett Hunt and Chase Winders. In the 5-6 age division, Case Berry was first, Hurley second and McKinney third. In the 7-8 division Brown was first, Hill second and Rowan Berry third. In the 9-10 division, Winders was first, Collins second and Hunt third. In the 11-up division, Atwell was first, Polk second and Pritchett third.

This photo appeared in the June 25, 2026 print edition

Salem Council meets Tuesday on payroll tax

SALEM, Ky. – Salem City Council will hold a special meeting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, at Salem City Hall to consider final approval of an ordinance establishing an occupational tax.

The payroll tax proposal received its first reading during the council's regular June meeting. If approved on second reading, the ordinance would be approved.

The special meeting is scheduled solely to consider the second reading of the proposed ordinance and to open a bank account for the occupational tax receipts, if it passes. 

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Fire destroys family's home in Crittenden

TOLU, Ky. – A family escaped without injury after a house fire early Sunday morning on Irma White Road in rural Crittenden County.

Firefighters were dispatched to the blaze around 2:30 a.m. and found the home of Brian and Danielle Tinsley fully involved. The residence was declared a total loss.

Homeowner Danielle Tinsley said she and her family awoke just in time to escape.

“Not what you want to wake up to at 2:30 in the morning,” she wrote in a social media post. “I am so thankful my husband woke up and it made me wake up. We woke up just in time to get us, the kids and dogs out. Everything else we have lost.”

The family is accepting donations of clothing and other necessities but asked that people primarily keep them in their prayers as they begin the recovery process.

County Roads Closed due to Flooding

Blackburn Church Road at
Caney Fork intersection.

MARION, Ky. — Heavy weekend rainfall has damaged several roads across Crittenden County, prompting officials to close some routes while inspections continue.

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom said this morning that motorists should use extra caution on all county roads because additional damage or debris may still be present.

Three roads were closed as of Sunday morning:

• Blackburn Church Road near the Piney Creek bridge.
• Blackford Church Road at the Caney Fork Road intersection.
• Travis Cemetery Road.

County road crews worked through the night to clear reported downed trees. Newcom said crews believe all reported trees blocking roadways had been removed by Sunday morning, including one that had fallen across Irma White Road.

Officials will continue inspecting county roads throughout the day and expect the list of closures to be updated as additional damage is identified or repairs are completed.

Motorists are urged to slow down, remain alert for washouts and debris, and avoid driving around barricades or road closure signs.

Under 8 Crittenden softball girls dominate league

Click Image to Enlarge

Crittenden County’s two 8-under softball teams squared off last week in the Lakes Area Baseball and Softball League Tournament championship game in Marion. The LSU Tigers beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 5-4 for the title. Pictured are (front from left) Crimson Tide players Birdie Brown, Kora Freeman, Stevie Renfro, McKenna Croft and Stevie Jo McLevain; LSU players Faith Crotty, Lawson Davis, Breckyn Henager, Mirabelle Tinsley; (back) Crimson Tide players Emblery Mclevain, Caroline Williams, Lynleigh Hubbard, Allie Kirk, Eliza Nelson and Bryza Curnel; LSU players Brighton Guess, Hazel Riley, Lauren Boone, Presley Snyder, Harper Goldman, Annabelle Brown and Alexandria Vasquez. The Tide was coached by Chad Nelson, Aaron Brown and Cortne Curnel. The Tigers were coached by Colby Davis, Jake Tinsley and Mike Snyder.

PARADE IS OFF | More Event Updates

UPDATE : 4pm PARADE IS CANCELED 

UPDATE 2: 5pm s'mores and bonfire candelled

Trivia at 7:30pm at Fohs is still on!

ORIGINAL POST

This weekend's America 250: Legacy of Liberty celebration in Marion will go forward, with some schedule adjustments and venue changes due to the weather.

Friday night's parade and evening activities remain on schedule. The parade begins at 6 p.m., followed by history trivia at Fohs Hall and s'mores and a living history campfire presentation in the rear parking lot of Fohs Hall, complete with bonfires.

Any weather-related changes this evening will be made as conditions warrant.

Saturday's Civil War and Revolutionary War encampments will continue as planned. Several outdoor activities will be moved indoors. Children's activities and vendors will be located inside the Crittenden County Middle School gymnasium.

The vintage 1800s baseball game at the park is also expected to be played as scheduled unless additional rainfall forces a change.

All events and programs previously scheduled indoors will remain on schedule, but attendees should check the latest information on the website to see whether event locations have changed.

Check this link for live updates:

America 250 Marion Updates

America 250 Festival organizers adapting to weather

MARION, Ky. – Weather may force a few changes, but if history teaches us anything, it's that Americans have never let adversity have the final word.

With rain falling and more in the forecast, organizers of the Legacy of Liberty America 250 festival have been hard at work since early this morning reshuffling plans, considering events where possible and exploring every option to ensure this weekend's celebration goes on. Just as our forefathers adapted to whatever challenges came their way, today's volunteers are showing that same determination and resilience.

More details on schedule adjustments and locations will be released later today.

Whether activities take place under cloudy skies or beneath a roof, Marion stands ready to honor America's story. So, the invitation remains open to come celebrate our nation's heritage. 

Stay tuned for updates.

 

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Section of Ohio River Crossing near Completion

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Construction on Section 3 of the I-69 Ohio River Crossing project is entering its final months, with work on the Indiana approach roadways and bridges expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

The section, which began in fall 2024, includes three new approach bridges and connecting roadways in Evansville. The infrastructure is being built to provide all-weather construction access across the flood-prone Ohio River bottoms for construction of the future I-69 bridge linking Evansville and Henderson.

Crews are currently building the southbound lanes of the approach bridges, which will be used during construction of the river crossing. Northbound lanes will be added as part of the main bridge project, known as Section 2.

The three bridges contain nearly 200 precast concrete beams ranging from 125 to 188 feet in length, among the largest used in Midwest construction projects. The longest bridge stretches nearly 4,000 feet and required four separate concrete deck pours, each lasting about 12 hours and using as many as 185 truckloads of concrete.

Concrete deck work has been completed on two of the three bridges. The final deck pour is expected to be finished later this summer.

Remaining work includes embankment construction, bridge finishing work, installation of roadway signs and seeding. The project's final phase will return northbound I-69 traffic south of Green River Road to its original lane configuration and speed limit.

Although the approach bridges will be completed this year, they will not open to public traffic until the new Ohio River bridge is finished.

Three teams are expected to submit price and technical proposals this fall for Section 2, the main river crossing. The contract is expected to be awarded in late 2026, with construction beginning in early 2027 and completion targeted for 2031.

The full project includes seven bridges, a new four-lane Ohio River crossing between Evansville and Henderson, completion of the U.S. 60 interchange in Henderson, reconfiguration of the U.S. 41 interchange in Henderson, and completion of the I-69/U.S. 41 interchange in Evansville.

Crash victims have Crittenden County connection

Two people died and four others were seriously injured in a two-vehicle head-on crash Tuesday afternoon on U.S. 60 at Calendar Flats in Livingston County.

According to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, a 5-year-old boy and a 61-year-old man died from injuries sustained in the collision, which occurred just before 2:30 p.m. east of Ledbetter.

Two additional children and two other adults were airlifted to out-of-state hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not released the names of those involved.

Multiple sources have indicated that several of the occupants involved in the crash have ties to Crittenden County, although officials have not yet released any identifying information.

U.S. 60 was closed for several hours while emergency personnel responded and investigators processed the scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office.

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Agriculture Hall of Fame seeking nominations

Nominations are being accepted for the Crittenden County Agriculture/Rural Leadership Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the county's agricultural community. 

Recipients may be farmers or others who have supported agriculture, including loan officers, government officials, ag-business professionals and farm families. Nominees may be living or deceased. Nomination packets are available at the Crittenden County Extension Office and must be returned by the close of business July 2. 

For more information, call 270-965-5236 or email deanna.brasher@uky.edu. 

Past inductees have been Virgil Cook 2021, Jack Voss 2021, Tommy Chandler 2022, Larry Parish 2023, Wade & Sue Buntin 2024 and Carol Hendrix 2025.

Young Black Bears Roaming Across Kentucky

Kentuckians may be seeing more black bears than usual this summer, and wildlife officials say there's no cause for alarm.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources reports that young male black bears commonly leave their home ranges in eastern Kentucky during late spring and early summer after being displaced by older, dominant males during mating season. These juvenile bears can wander hundreds of miles through unfamiliar territory while searching for food, habitat and potential mates before typically returning to the mountains by fall.

Click Image to Enlarge

Bear Program Coordinator John Hast said sightings in neighborhoods, towns and other populated areas are a normal part of this seasonal movement. Young bears are often confused and easily frightened, causing them to move through developed areas before continuing on. Bears can travel 20 miles or more in a single day and have been known to roam far beyond Kentucky's borders.

Officials remind residents never to approach or feed a bear. If a bear poses an immediate threat, people should make loud noises, wave their arms and contact local law enforcement. Homeowners are encouraged to secure garbage, remove pet food from outdoors, clean grills and avoid using bird feeders in areas where bears have been spotted. It is illegal in Kentucky to feed bears or knowingly leave food available to them.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife notes that black bears naturally avoid people and dogs, and serious encounters are extremely rare. More information is available at BearWise.org and through the department's bear resources at fw.ky.gov. Bear sightings may be reported to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549.

Livingston fills both basketball coaching roles

Livingston Central High School has turned to a pair of experienced western Kentucky coaches to lead its basketball programs.

Scott Matlock has been hired as the Cardinals' new boys basketball coach, replacing Matt Hargrove. A Paducah resident, Matlock brings more than two decades of coaching experience and has strong ties to Livingston County, where five of his granddaughters attend school. 

His coaching career includes assistant coaching stints at Paducah Tilghman from 2002-07, Heath High School from 2008-13, McCracken County from 2014-16 and Ballard Memorial from 2016-17 and again from 2022-23. He also served as Ballard Memorial's head baseball coach during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. 

In addition to coaching, Matlock has worked as a high school baseball umpire for 25 years and a basketball official for 12 years, covering the First and Second Regions and western Tennessee.

The Lady Cardinals will be led by Jimmie Holder, who replaces Trent Palmer. 

Holder, a Marshall County native and former standout player for the Marshals, takes over the program after most recently serving as head boys basketball coach at Murray High School. 

Holder graduated from Marshall County in 2004 after setting several school records and later attended Murray State University, where he also served as a student assistant coach under then-head coach Mick Cronin. 

Holder previously coached the Marshall County girls program to a 19-15 record, a 4th District championship and a 1st Region runner-up finish in 2022-23. He also spent three seasons as head boys coach at Ballard Memorial High School and held assistant coaching positions at Trigg County, Murray High School, Wabash Valley College and Kaskaskia College.

Ferry Back to Normal Schedule TUESDAY

Cave-In-Rock Ferry has resolved the temporary staffing issue that prompted a shortened operating schedule. As a result, the ferry will resume its normal operating hours beginning Tuesday, June 23, with service starting at 6 a.m. 

Officials said the temporary schedule is no longer necessary now that the personnel matter has been resolved.

HIGHWAY 60 CLOSED MILE NORTH OF MARION

UPDATE - HIGHWAY IS BACK OPEN

ORIGINAL POST : U.S. 60 East is closed about one mile northeast of Marion after a tractor-trailer hauling tires crashed, leaving the highway impassable. Crittenden County Sheriff Evan Head said the roadway will likely remain closed for an extended period while crews conduct cleanup and recovery operations.

Motorists should seek alternate routes and avoid the area if possible. Drivers are also reminded that the KY 654 bridge east of Mattoon remains closed, making that route unavailable as a bypass between Marion and Mattoon. 

Further updates will be provided as information becomes available. 

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Lyon County Sheriff's Weekly Report

Lyon County Sheriff's Office investigated a series of incidents during the past week, including injury collisions, arrests and a hit-and-run involving a vehicle and boat trailer.

Deputy Josh Travis responded to a single-vehicle collision at about 5:20 p.m. June 11 on U.S. 641 approximately 2.3 miles north of Eddyville. His investigation determined that a 2018 Nissan Versa driven by Aaron C. Hensley, 23, of Princeton, was traveling south when the driver failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway. The vehicle struck a gutter on a shop building and a metal statue, then damaged a parked vehicle at a residence before hitting a mailbox and overturning at least twice before coming to rest on the opposite side of the roadway. Hensley was transported by Lyon County EMS to a local hospital for evaluation after reportedly losing consciousness following the crash. The Eddyville Fire Department and Lyon County EMS assisted at the scene.

At about 12:57 p.m. June 15, Deputy Bobby Beeler investigated a collision on the U.S. 62 Cumberland River bridge near Lake City. The investigation determined that Michael W. Skees, 51, of Fredonia, attempted to pull off the roadway after running out of gas just before reaching the bridge. As he pulled off the roadway, the vehicle nearly overturned on an embankment. Skees was not injured, but deputies determined his driver's license was suspended. He was charged with operating on a suspended or revoked operator's license and was issued a summons to appear in court.

Chief Deputy Sam Adams served a Lyon District Court bench warrant June 17 on Lee Adams, 33, of Kuttawa, for contempt of court in a child support case. Adams remained lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

Deputies were dispatched at about 9:49 p.m. June 17 to a fight in progress at a business on Days Inn Drive in Kuttawa. Upon arrival, deputies detained Todd S. Brummett Jr., 44, of Kuttawa, who was allegedly