City investigating 'gas station heroin'

Marion City Council heard from health professionals and others Monday night as it began probing kratom sales at local convenience stores.

The herbal substance, sometimes referred to as “gas station heroin,” has been available in Marion and across Kentucky without significant oversight. It is legally sold in pill or powder form near energy drinks and supplements.

Healthcare specialists Laura Harris Wood and Kaitlin Loveless from Livingston Hospital addressed the council, sharing both risks and potential benefits associated with kratom use.

“It’s not regulated. A 10-, 11- or 12-year-old could walk in and get it,” said Wood, a Marion resident and nurse practitioner. “That’s not good, especially because of the addiction risks.”

Loveless added that kratom acts as a stimulant in small doses but can mimic opiates in larger amounts. She noted some people use it in recovery, but its unregulated status poses safety concerns. 

City leaders are working to see what latitude they have with regard to safeguards. 

For the rest of this article, see the June 19, 2025 edition of ©The Crittenden Press 

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Water order lifted, investigation underway

With consent of the Kentucky Division of Water, the City of Marion shortly after 10 a.m., today lifted a boil water advisory that had been in place for a week. 

The advisory was the town’s fourth such alert in 2025 and second tied to excessive ammonia levels in its raw water reservoirs. 

Mayor D’Anna Browning said the Kentucky Division of Water is now investigating the unusual ammonia concentrations at the city’s request.

Main Street prepped for new pavement

Main Street in Marion is being milled this week in preparation for fresh pavement. 

Traffic is moving slower with flaggers alternating one lane of traffic through town.

Early Bird June 16

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Crashes blocking I-24 in Lyon

Posted at 4:20pm June 16

Interstate 24 in Lyon County is blocked in both eastbound and westbound directions between mile markers 34 and 35. This is near the Cumberland River Bridge.

Early reports indicate there are at least two crashes. Emergency teams are on scene.

Use caution. Please seek alternate routes.

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Lyon Sheriff | Weekly Report

LYON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ACTIVITY

- On Thursday, June 5, 2025, beginning around 8am and continuing throughout the day and evening, Deputies served the following parents with criminal complaints as it pertained to truancy matters involving students in the local school system. Each parent was issued a summons to appear in Lyon District Court to face the following charges:

Sharon Bourdon (54) of Eddyville charged with Parent or Custodian to Send Child to School 1st or 2nd Offense.

Jennifer Knight (54) of Eddyville charged with Parent or Custodian to Send Child to School 1st or 2nd Offense.

David Stone (57) of Eddyville charged with Parent or Custodian to Send Child to School 1st or 2nd Offense.

Ariel Tinsley (32) of Kuttawa charged with Parent or Custodian to Send Child to School 1st or 2nd Offense.

- On Friday, June 6, 2025, around 10:15pm, Deputy Shannon Oliver responded to Indian Hills Campground regarding a complaint of an intoxicated male who was causing a disturbance. Deputies had previously been at the campground for a similar complaint around 8:30pm. At that time, the male was told to stay in his camper and not to appear back in public causing a disturbance in the future. A 9-1-1 caller later reported around 10pm the same intoxicated male was being disruptive and causing an argument with other campers. Deputy Oliver responded again and arrested John R. Camp (53) of Smoot, WV, and charged him with Alcohol Intoxication-1st or 2nd Offense. He was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

- On Tuesday, June 10, 2025 around 1:27am, Deputy Bobby Beeler responded to a single vehicle collision on KY 274. His investigation revealed a 2001 Toyota Tacoma, driven by James W. Morgan (21) of Clarksville, TN, lost control of his vehicle when attempting to make a turn too quickly, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and travel down an embankment before colliding with a tree. Morgan was charged with Operating on a Suspended Operator’s License and found to not have valid insurance. Morgan had minor injuries not requiring transport, resulting from the collision.

- On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, around 12:30pm, Chief Deputy Sam Adams responded to a traffic hazard complaint involving a pedestrian walking in the middle of US 62 in Kuttawa. Upon arrival, he made contact with Cleo P. Lee. Ms. Lee was found to be intoxicated and attempted to flee from Chief Deputy Adams. She was placed under arrest without further incident, and was charged with Alcohol Intoxication-1st or 2nd Offense. Lee was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

- On Thursday, June 12, 2025, beginning just before 1pm, Deputies served the following bench warrants on the following offenders. Both offenders await extradition to the respective counties as follows:

Rebekah J. English (37) of Bowling Green charged with two (2) Warren County arrest warrants for Failure to Appear in two unrelated cases involving child neglect and child support.

Michale J. Hart (48) of Bloomfield charged with a Hardin County arrest warrant for Failure to Appear in a theft related case.

- On Thursday, June 12, 2025, around 2:10pm, Chief Deputy Sam Adams responded to a two-vehicle, hit & run collision on KY 293 at the I-24 exit. His investigation revealed an unidentified semi-truck exited I-24 East bound and the driver of the semi failed to stop and/or yield the right-of-way at the end of the ramp, to a 2014 Dodge Caravan, driven by Addeline K. Conger (20) of Princeton. The semi collided with the Dodge and immediately fled the scene by going West on I-24. There were no injuries reported. If anyone has information concerning this collision are asked to contact 270.388.2311 and speak with Chief Deputy Adams.

- On Saturday, June 14, 2025, around 12:33pm, Deputy Bobby Beeler was dispatched to a disturbance in the city limits of Eddyville, at Amber Court. A Kentucky State Police Trooper also responded and arrested Lindsey A. Iron Road (45) of Eddyville and charged him with Assault-4th Degree-Dating Violence and Failure to Notify DOT of Address Change. A female identified as Nancy K. Painte (52) of Eddyville, formerly of South Dakota, was determined to possess Marijuana and drug paraphernalia. She was cited to court by Deputy Beeler for Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia-Possession. Iron Road was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.  

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Need better air? Call Rite Temp

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Call Rite Temp Heating and Air Conditioning if your 

air conditioner is under-performing.

Rite Temp, located on Mott City Rd., in Marion, services residential and commercial and offers professional sales and installation.

Rite Temp is proud to serve Crittenden and the surrounding areas.

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KY Expands CWD zone into Union, Webster

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials have expanded the state’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance Zone to include Henderson, Union and Webster counties following confirmation of a CWD-positive deer just across the state line in Posey County, Ind.

The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the measure this month, adding the three counties to a growing list of western Kentucky areas under heightened disease monitoring. The original zone already included Ballard, Breckinridge, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hardin, Hickman, Marshall, Meade and McCracken counties.

With the expansion, new regulations are now in place for hunters in the added counties, including mandatory testing, carcass transport restrictions and a ban on rehabilitating deer.

Mandatory CWD Testing

Hunters in Henderson, Union and Webster counties must submit their deer for testing during the first three days of modern gun season, Nov. 8–10, by visiting a staffed check station or using a CWD sample drop-off site.

Carcass Movement Restrictions

Hunters may not transport whole deer or high-risk parts out of the surveillance zone. Only de-boned meat, clean skulls and teeth, hides, antlers, and mounted trophies may be taken beyond county lines. However, deer harvested elsewhere in the state may be brought into the zone without restriction.

Baiting Now Allowed with Conditions

To encourage deer harvest and manage herd density, baiting is now permitted throughout the CWD

Buntin holds Truitt auction June 21

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The estate of the late Clinton Truitt will be auctioned Saturday, June 21 by Buntin Auction Service.

The sale will be located at 1363 Pickering Hill Rd., Marion.

Auction items include farm equipment, tools, antiques, household items and guns.

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BOIL WATER | City issues order

City of Marion has implemented another boil water order, which will remain in effect until further notice.

City officials are somewhat optimistic that the order will not last long.

“Hopefully it won’t be more than a day or two,” said City Administrator Diane Ford-Benningfield.

She said the city is having trouble obtaining enough chemicals to treat the high levels of ammonia in its freshwater reservoirs. Other areas are experiencing similar issues, and finding the volume of chlorine necessary to combat the ammonia has proven difficult, Ford-Benningfield said.

In May, Marion residents faced a three-day boil water advisory. Since Jan. 1, there have been four city-wide boil water advisories. 

North Walker closed at failed culvert

Due to a culvert failure, North Walker Street is closed at a point near the PACS building and Crittenden County Food Bank between Second Street and East Mound Park. 

The street will be closed to through traffic until city crews can make repairs. 

Farewell to CCMS kicks off demolition

A ceremony to say goodbye to the original Crittenden County High School was held Monday morning. Most recently used as Crittenden County Middle School, the 1949 section of the school was demolished this week.

Listen to retired teacher Teresa Hastie Foster and others who share memories from their time at CCHS and CCMS on this Press YouTube video: https://youtu.be/ckdbXG2KF9w?si=15GdxbLW8Cxpx-4N

June 9, 2025 Early Bird

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Farewell to CCMS today at 9

A ceremony to bid farewell to the original Crittenden County High School building begins at 9 a.m., today in front of Crittenden County Middle School. The building most recently served as Crittenden County Middle School and will be replaced by a new two-story addition.

Former students and teachers Mickey Alexander, Bob Cook, David LeNeave and Teresa Foster and Crittenden County historian Brenda Underdown will be part of the program, along with Crittenden County Board of Education Chair Chris Cook, Superintendent Tonya Driver, and CCMS Principal Ashley Frederick.

Light refreshments will be provided, and the ceremony will take place rain or shine. 

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Sheriff's Activity Report | Lyon County

LYON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MEDIA RELEASE

EDDYVILLE, Ky. - On Sunday, June 1, 2025, around 8am, Sheriff Brent White responded to KY 819 for a suspicious person complaint. The caller stated a subject was hitchhiking near Bill Thompson Road and he was not known in the area. Upon arrival, Sheriff White did not locate anyone. Several hours later, another caller reported finding a motorcycle off an embankment in a wooded area off Bill Thompson Road near Knight Road. Further investigation revealed the motorcycle had been involved in a collision on Bill Thompson Road and abandoned on the property. The person who was seen walking from the area is the suspected driver; however, he has not been identified. The motorcycle was impounded by the Sheriff’s Office. If anyone has information concerning this incident or the motorcycle’s operator, please call the Sheriff’s Office at 270.388.2311.

- On Sunday, June 1, 2025, around 3:25pm, Sheriff Brent White responded to KY 293 for a two-vehicle, non-injury collision. The investigation revealed a 2015 Ford F150 with a boat/trailer in tow, driven by David French (60) of Eddyville, pulled onto KY 293 and into the path of a West bound 2004 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Rhett Miller (53) of Princeton. No injuries were reported in the collision.

- On Monday, June 2, 2025, around 5pm, deputies received a call about a suspicious person at the Eddyville Fivestar convenience store. The caller indicated a male subject in a black, Jeep Cherokee was attempting to entice three juvenile females with alcoholic beverages if they would come back to his RV to party with him. The male suspect fled in the Jeep after being confronted by a friend of the female juveniles. The suspect was later identified by deputies and Kentucky State Police (KSP) Troopers after he