Woody Curry WWI Journals | Part 2

 WARTIME JOURNAL | PART 2

From Routine to Combat

Part 2 of the journal of young World War II sailor Woody Curry shows the voyage changing from travel to combat. Now aboard USS Boise, the sailor settles into shipboard routine, studies for advancement and learns radio work, all while the cruiser moves steadily toward the Philippines campaign. What follows is a firsthand account of bombardment, invasion and air attack as American forces return to the islands Gen. Douglas MacArthur had vowed to reclaim.

By Chris Evans | The Crittenden Press

Charles “Woody” Curry’s wartime diary continues from Sept. 8 to Nov. 28, 1944, as he serves aboard USS Boise.

Charles “Woody” Curry was just 18 years old when he left his Livingston County home in 1944 and joined the U.S. Navy during the height of World War II. The Carrsville native, who had recently graduated from Hampton High School, enlisted on May 29 of that year and soon found himself heading west toward the Pacific. 

Not long after enlisting, Curry began keeping a diary. The result is a rare firsthand record from a young Kentucky sailor experiencing the war day by day. In last week’s first part of this series, readers followed Curry across the Pacific as he left the United States, passed through Pearl Harbor and traveled through some of the most storied waters of the war, including Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. 

Those early entries captured the long ocean voyage, the routine of shipboard life and the gradual realization that he was heading toward

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active combat. Part two of the journal this week picks up on Sept. 8, 1944, shortly after Curry transferred onto USS Boise, a Brooklyn-class light cruiser that had already seen significant combat earlier in the war. Curry later joked that the ship was “an old rusty bucket,” but it would soon carry him into some of the most important naval operations of the Pacific campaign. 

The entries in this section show the young sailor settling into life aboard the cruiser. Curry writes about learning radio work, standing watch and studying to advance to Seaman First Class while the ship moves steadily toward the Philippines. At the same time, the war begins to close in around him. The journal records bombardments of Japanese positions, invasion landings and repeated air raid alarms as American forces return to the Philippines during Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s campaign to liberate the islands. 

Curry describes the cruiser firing its six-inch guns at enemy positions, aircraft attacks against the fleet and the tense days surrounding the historic Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history. The entries remain simple and direct, capturing both routine and danger: movie nights on the ship’s deck, letters from home, long watches in the radio room and sudden calls to general quarters as enemy aircraft approach. 

Together, the journal entries in this second installment show how quickly a young sailor from rural Kentucky moved from training and travel into the middle of a global war.

What began as routine watches, radio training and movie nights quickly gave way to bombardment, invasion and air attack.

Part 2 of a four-part series from the wartime journals of Charles “Woody” Curry.

Service Diary Part 2

Sept. 8, 1944 to Nov. 28, 1944

Part 2 of the journal of young World War II sailor Woody Curry shows the voyage changing from travel to combat. Now aboard USS Boise, the sailor settles into shipboard routine, studies for advancement and learns radio work, all while the cruiser moves steadily toward the Philippines campaign. What follows is a firsthand account of bombardment, invasion and air attack as American forces return to the islands Gen. Douglas MacArthur had vowed to reclaim.

FRI. 8

I’m studying for radio and I’m in C Division now. I’ll report at 0800 in the morning.

SAT. 9

We took on ammunition today. I bought some hats, dungarees and shirts, also a knife. We had some music tonight and they played all the songs we played at home. I saw old acquaintances, too.

SUN. 10

We left this morning in a thick mist of rain. I’ve been learning radio today.

MON. 11

We had P.G.Q. this morning. I’ve been studying S1/c book all day and will take the test for Seaman 1/c after this operation we’re on.

Editor’s note: “P.G.Q.” in this context likely stands for Personnel General Quarters, a routine shipboard drill focused on accountability and emergency readiness as combat appears looming. It was commonly used to ensure all crew members were present, prepared and familiar with procedures between active operations.

TUE. 12

I was on watch today from noon until eve chow. I studied the Seaman 1/c book and learned the code.

WED. 13

I was on watch today from morning until noon. I wrote some letters this eve. I’m on watch again tonight.

THUR. 14

Today I had the whole day to sleep. I was on watch last night. We joined the convoy yesterday.

FRI. 15

We attacked Halmahera and shelled the island this morning and landed troops and met no opposition. I saw my first volcano today.

Editor’s note: This refers to the Morotai operation on Sept. 15, 1944. USS Boise helped bombard positions on Halmahera while Allied troops landed nearby with little opposition.

SAT. 16

I was on watch this morning. I slept this afternoon and the messenger didn’t wake me up and I was late for my watch.

SUN. 17

I had the day off today and I slept up on the deck all day. I’ll have the watch from 5:30 until 12:00 o’clock tonight.

MON. 18

I saw Pat O’Brien in “Iron Major.” They changed the watch into four instead of three and so I got a day, a night and another half day off. I go on at 12:00 tomorrow.

TUE. 19

I had the watch from 12 until 6:00 o’clock this eve and again tonight from 12:00 until 7:30 and then I’m off two days and a night.

WED. 20

I got off watch at 7:30 this morning and got a haircut at about 8:30, then went to sleep on deck and slept until 3:00. I went swimming over the side.

THUR. 21

I saw “Ziegfeld Girl” last night. It was a good show. I laid around today, drew some small stores and went swimming.

FRI. 22

I was on watch this morning and I went swimming this evening over the side. I saw a show tonight, “The Magnificent Dope.”

Editor’s note: That movie, released in 1942, starred Henry Fonda and Lynn Bari.

SAT. 23

It has rained all day today off and on. I took a lesson in typing. It was my second lesson. I had the watch from 12:00 until 5:00.

SUN. 24

I was off watch from 12:00 last night until 7:30 this morning and I missed my classes and didn’t wake up until swimming was over at four o’clock this eve.

MON. 25

I’ve got the watch from 5:00 until 12:00 tonight. I’ve been trying to learn the code and I took some typing.

TUE. 26

I took another lesson in typing today and studied the Seaman First Class book. I saw a show tonight, “Lady Takes a Chance.”

WED. 27

We left the Biak Islands today. We had been there over a week. I got off watch at 12:00 and go on at 12:00 tonight. We have G.Q. in a little while.

THUR. 28

I was off watch today and had the whole day and all tonight and tomorrow

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to sleep and go to classes. There is still two heavy and two light cruisers with us and DDs.

Editor’s note: DD meant destroyers.

FRI. 29

We got here to the Admiralties at 8:00 this morning and got our mail. I got 13 letters. I’ve been off guard duty two days and a night and I’ll have to go on at 5:00 p.m.

Editor’s note: The Admiralty Islands, located north of New Guinea, were the site of a key Allied campaign in early 1944 aimed at securing airfields and naval bases to support General Douglas MacArthur’s advance toward the Philippines. Their capture gave the Allies a major forward staging area at Manus Island’s Seeadler Harbor, strengthening control over the western Pacific and cutting off Japanese positions in the region.

SAT. 30

I was on watch this morning and had a class on receiving code. I saw a show this evening, “Two Girls and a Sailor.”

October 1944

SUN. 1

I had the afternoon watch and I go on again at 12:00 tonight. I saw “You Were Never Lovelier” starring Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire.

MON. 2

I laid around all day today and was on a working party and I got half a gallon of pineapple and saw the show “Hi Neighbor.”

WED. 4

I was on watch this morning and ordered some things, a watch and a photo album and record album. I saw a movie tonight, “Bedtime Story.”

THUR. 5

We had AA practice today and I was on watch this eve and go on again at twelve. I just saw a show, “Crime at Night.” We had a happy hour before the music.

Editor’s note: “AA practice” refers to drills using the ship’s anti-aircraft guns, training crews to track and fire at enemy planes, which was a routine and critical part of shipboard readiness during World War II.

FRI. 6

We got paid today and I got everything I needed, enough to last a month. I wrote a girl in Kentucky this eve. Folks told me about her.

SAT. 7

I wrote some letters today and that is all. I’ve got the watch from 6:30 until 12:00 tonight.

SUN. 8

I had the watch from 0800 until 1200 today and now I’m off until tomorrow. I saw a show and wrote some letters.

MON. 9

Today I had the watch from 1200 until 2000 then I’m off until 2400 tonight. I saw a show.

TUE. 10

I got off watch at 0800 and wrote letters and I got seven from Shoemaker. I’m going to see a show, “I Love a Soldier.”

WED. 11

Today I wrote some letters and ate ice cream all day. I’m on watch tonight from 5 until 12:00. We are getting underway now.

THUR. 12

I slept this morning and went on watch at 1200 and was a messenger. Then when I got off watch, I saw a show, “Barnes Convoy.”

FRI. 13

I had the 0800 to 1200 watch today and now we have left the Halmaheras and I’ve been put in the compartment. All I do is help clean it.

SAT. 14

Today was my first day in the compartment and it is not a bad job. I don’t stand watch and I get every night in.

SUN. 15

I got another shot today of chloric. I swept the compartment and read the rest of the day. A friend of mine was put on report tonight for shining a light after dark.

Editor’s note: “Chloric” refers to a chlorinated vaccine or preventive treatment, most likely tied to cholera or typhoid immunizations commonly given to sailors in the Pacific.

MON. 16

I worked in the compartment today and listened to some records on the fantail this morning.

TUE. 17

I worked in the compartment and then read a book the rest of the day. It was mostly reading all day. My buddy got off with a warning about the light on deck.

WED. 18

I did not do much today, worked in the compartment and slept and read some.

THUR. 19

We are in range of enemy aircraft and warned to expect air attacks tomorrow.

FRI. 20

We sailed into Leyte Harbor about 0400 this morning and shelled the shore and we are anchored in the harbor now. Troops have landed.

Editor’s note: This matches the opening of the Leyte invasion on Oct. 20, 1944, the campaign that marked Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s return to the Philippines.

SAT. 21

We had an air attack early this morning. The plane was hit several times and crashed into an Aussie cruiser, killing and wounding 61. The Honolulu was hit by a torpedo from a plane and damaged quite a bit. We had a few more raids but they didn’t amount to much.

Editor’s note: The “Aussie cruiser” was HMAS Australia, which was struck during the Leyte operation. Japanese air attacks intensified immediately after the landings.

SUN. 22

We had an air raid alarm this morning and just a few minutes ago we had a raid and shot down two or three planes. I saw one of them and it was some show.

MON. 23

We had an air raid alarm this morning and the plane came in sight but didn’t get in range of the guns. We had another alarm tonight and shot at the plane.

TUE. 24

We had another air attack this morning. Shot down 32 planes and they sunk a ship and damaged one for us. We are on our way now to engage the enemy in a sea battle.

WED. 25

We had a battle last night and sunk several ships with only slight damage to us. We are now waiting for the other Jap ships. The Pennsylvania shot down three planes this morning. And an LST shot down one of ours. The pilot landed in the water.

Editor’s note: Editor’s note: These entries line up with the Battle of Leyte Gulf, especially the night action in Surigao Strait on Oct. 24-25, 1944, in which USS Boise took part.

THUR. 26

Nothing much happened today but a few air raids. Bombers came over the ship but he got away. Another one was shot down.

FRI. 27

We have joined six carriers and two of the cruisers and half of the destroyers went to join some more CVs. That will make two carrier groups.

Editor’s note: In U.S. Navy terminology during World War II, “CVs” was short for aircraft carriers.

SAT. 28

We have just been cruising around all day. Several planes cracked up landing. The weather was heavy. I saw one plane crash. The LSTs shot at our plane and damaged it, then when we recognized it the pilot made a crash landing in the water and we saved him. The plane sunk in about ten seconds.

Editor’s note: The two accounts about LSTs suggests the possibility of friendly fire, as LSTs were Allied ships and could have mistakenly engaged a friendly aircraft in the confusion of combat. However, without more detail, it’s not certain what the diary was describing.

SUN. 29

We got back to Leyte Harbor where we made the invasion and have took on ammunition and are moving around now. It has rained all day.

MON. 30

We’ve cruised around the harbor and had another air raid but it wasn’t much. There isn’t but about 20 ships in the harbor now.

TUE. 31

We have been cruising around the bay today and had a few air raids.

November 1944

WED. 1

We had an air raid today and shot down six planes. One of them crashed into a destroyer and we got one ship sunk and four damaged.

THUR. 2

We’ve just cruised around all day and had an air raid or two but nothing of importance happened.

FRI. 3

We were woke up thirty minutes early this morning by AA fire but we saw no planes and nothing much happened the rest of the day.

SAT. 4

We arrived back in Leyte Harbor today and took on ammunition and oil. We had been cruising around outside the harbor. We got paid $20 today.

SUN. 5

We’ve been in close all day today and sitting still most of the time. There are some tankers and ammunition ships here now, and we’ve been sending off mail.

MON. 6

We’ve not had but one alarm all day today. We received mail from a destroyer this evening.

TUE. 7

It has been quiet and peaceful all day today. Not a single air raid. We

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received a bag or two of mail this evening.

WED. 8

It has rained all day like it was a bad winter day, all but being cold. Two Jap bodies passed the ship today.

THUR. 9

It has been clear today but very windy and a little rough. Three Jap task forces have been picked up by radar but they are a good ways off.

FRI. 10

We’ve cruised around close to the shore today. The wind has begun to calm down and it is clear now.

SAT. 11

We have been in close to shore today. I’ve been working in the compartment all day.

SUN. 12

There was a big air raid on the beach last night and they left a fire or two. There was another one this morning and we shot down four planes.

MON. 13

We’ve cruised around all day inside the harbor. We are supposed to get relieved the 15th so we can go back to Seeadler Harbor to service the ship.

Editor’s note: Seeadler Harbor on Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands was a major Allied repair and logistics base.

TUE. 14

We’ve cruised around all day and had a destroyer alongside but they didn’t have any mail.

WED. 15

We’ve been in close to the beach today and got 22 bags of mail this evening. We are supposed to leave for Seeadler Harbor tomorrow.

THUR. 16

We’ve been taking on mail and passengers and getting ready to leave for Seeadler Harbor, I think. We are now underway.

FRI. 17

We’ve been on our way since about 6:00 last night. I’m back on watch now and I don’t have the compartment any more.

SAT. 18

We are taking it easy. We’ve been cruising all day and we’ve not seen any planes or had any raids.

SUN. 19

We met a convoy this evening headed towards the Philippines. It is clear and sunny today with a cool breeze.

MON. 20

We had target practice this evening with the AA batteries. I’ve got the evening watch.

TUE. 21

We’ve been shooting at a target towed by planes all morning. Shooting quite a bit of ammunition.

WED. 22

We’ve been fueling and taking on stores today. We are now in Seeadler Harbor. I was on a working party from 8:00 a.m., until 9:00 p.m., then had mid watch.

THUR. 23 (THANKSGIVING)

We had turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce and ice cream and pie, etc., for dinner. I saw a show tonight. The name of it was “Cry Havoc.”

FRI. 24

We had field day today and I worked all morning. We were supposed to

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have captain’s inspection but we didn’t.

SAT. 25

I went on recreation on the beach today. It was the first time I have touched land since I left the States. We had five bottles of beer and a lot of the boys got drunk and had a few fights.

SUN. 26

I had the afternoon watch today so I slept all morning and then went on watch. I saw a show tonight, “Hey Rookie.”

MON. 27

I had the mid watch last night and didn’t get but an hour sleep so I slept all day today after getting off watch.

TUE. 28

We left Seeadler Harbor today for Leyte. The captain had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. The executive officer is acting captain.

Epilogue

After weeks of battle off Leyte, repeated air raids and one of the most decisive naval engagements of the Pacific war, the crew finally reached Seeadler Harbor for supplies, recreation and a brief reset. But the pause was only temporary. On Nov. 28, 1944, the ship sailed again for Leyte, carrying the sailor back toward the front and into another dangerous phase of the war. Stay tuned for next week’s third part in this four-part series.

Extension Programs Focus on Brain Health, Dementia Support

The Crittenden County Cooperative Extension Office is offering two programs aimed at improving brain health and helping families better understand dementia and caregiving.

Wits Workout, an ongoing program held the first and third Monday of each month at the Crittenden County Senior Citizens Center, offers brain exercises and memory-building activities designed to keep the mind active.

Research shows that exercising the brain may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or help maintain cognitive function longer. The program includes interactive activities along with practical tips for improving memory and supporting overall brain health.

The free program begins at noon following the senior center’s lunch. Participants do not have to be senior citizens to attend.

The Extension Office is also partnering with The Carter Center, Pennyrile Area Development District and Kara Phillips, APRN, of Livingston Hospital to offer a free Dealing with Dementia Workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 17 at St. William Catholic Church, 860 S. Main St. in Marion.

As the population ages, more families are finding themselves caring for loved ones with dementia. The workshop is designed to provide education, encouragement and practical resources for those caregivers.

Participants will learn more about how dementia affects the brain, ways to manage challenging behaviors, strategies to reduce caregiver stress and the importance of caregivers taking care of their own physical and emotional health.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 13 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, totaling more than 19 billion hours of care each year.

The workshop is open to anyone caring for a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, friend or neighbor living with dementia.

There is no cost to attend, but preregistration is encouraged. To reserve a spot, contact Miranda White at 270-886-9484 or Miranda.White@ky.gov, or call the Crittenden County Cooperative Extension Office at 270-965-5236.

THURSDAY | Area NewsCast

 

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Today we take a trip to Salem

for a visit with the hospital CEO

- Construction is Underway -

How to recognize scams and fraud

Amy Doner of First United Bank's fraud department
presented a program today on recognizing and
avoiding fraud and scams during a Chamber event.

MARION, Ky. – Scammers continue to find new ways to steal personal information and money, but a few warning signs can help residents avoid becoming victims.

Amy Doner, fraud specialist with First United Bank and Trust Company, spoke last week at the Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch and Learn event catered by Marion Pit Barbecue and held at Rocket Arena on the high school campus.

Doner says recognizing the tactics used by scammers is one of the best defenses against fraud.

Banks like First United, she said, are beginning to create their own fraud departments with guidance from the Kentucky Bankers Association. First United started its fraud investigation and prevention department two years ago.

According to information provided by Doner, many scams follow a similar pattern. Scammers often pretend to represent a familiar organization, claim there is an urgent problem or a prize waiting, pressure victims to act immediately and demand payment through specific methods.

“One common tactic is impersonation,” Doner said.

Scammers may claim to be calling from a government agency such as the IRS, Social Security Administration or Medicare. Others may pretend to represent a utility company, technology company, charity or another organization the victim recognizes.

Technology has made those schemes more convincing.

“Fraudulent callers can disguise phone numbers so the name appearing on caller ID looks legitimate,” she

Lyon County Sheriff's Activity Report

EDDYVILLE, Ky. – On Monday, June 29, 2026, around 10:09 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a theft complaint from a Kuttawa resident who reported more than $5,000 worth of items stolen from a storage building. The burglary and theft occurred sometime between June 14 and June 29. If anyone has information concerning these crimes, they are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 270-388-2311.

On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, around 7:24 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office received a theft complaint from a Princeton resident who reported a little more than $500 worth of items stolen from a storage unit off U.S. 62 East. The burglary and theft occurred sometime between June 26 and June 29. If anyone has information concerning these crimes, they are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 270-388-2311.

On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, beginning around 8:25 a.m. and concluding around 6:30 p.m., deputies served the following arrest warrants:

Amber W. Schwable, 44, of West Liberty was served with a Morgan Circuit Court indictment warrant charging her with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second or greater offense, and

C-PLANT | Monday NewsCast

 

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Today we discuss options

for Cave-In-Rock Ferry's future

It's time to celebrate!

 Be safe and Enjoy the Fourth

Happy 250th America

Wood Curry's WW2 JOURNALS | A 4-Part Series

 WARTIME JOURNAL | PART 1

The Pacific Voyage Begins

The diary of centenarian Charles Woody Curry follows an 18-year-old Livingston County sailor from the familiar world of western Kentucky into the vast Pacific and toward the heart of World War II.

By Chris Evans | The Crittenden Press

Part 1 of Woody Curry's wartime journal begins with his voyage across

 the Pacific in August and September 1944.

Diary of Centenarian Woody Curry Provides Rare View Into World War II

Charles "Woody" Curry has spent a century rooted in western Kentucky, but the handwritten journal he began as an 18-year-old sailor offers a window into one of the most turbulent periods in world history.

Curry, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends at long-term care facility Salem Springlake in eastern Livingston County, grew up in Carrsville along the Ohio River where he first attended school. He completed his education at Hampton High School, and like many young men of his generation, Curry went off to war where he came of age during a remarkably frightening time. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 29, 1944, beginning a journey that would carry him far from Livingston County and into the Pacific Theater of World War II.

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That same day, Curry started keeping a diary. Service members generally were not supposed to write anything in their journals that might reveal military information, just in case the diary fell into enemy hands. Curry said no one ever told him exactly what was prohibited, so he wrote about almost everything, leaving behind a plainspoken, day-by-day record of a young Kentuckian learning military life while moving steadily closer to combat.

His diary endures as a rare local record of wartime service from the perspective of an ordinary sailor.

After enlisting, Curry first went through Louisville, then to Great Lakes Naval Training Station near Chicago. He also trained in California, including Treasure Island, before heading West. He later said the training

KDFWR wants your turkey survey info

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is asking Kentuckians to report sightings of wild turkeys this summer as part of its annual Summer Turkey Brood Survey, which runs through Aug. 31.

The citizen-science survey helps biologists monitor turkey populations and nesting success across the state, providing valuable information for future wildlife management decisions.

“Turkey populations naturally fluctuate from year to year,” said Zak Danks, the department's wild turkey program coordinator. “This survey helps us gauge numbers in all parts of the state.”

Residents who spot wild turkeys between July 1 and Aug. 31 can submit observations online through the survey portal on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website by searching "turkey survey." Participants may also use the agency's mobile survey app or download a printable survey form.

Danks said Kentucky and neighboring states experienced excellent spring turkey harvests this year, reflecting favorable hunting conditions and improved turkey hatches over the past several summers. He said the summer survey helps biologists continue monitoring the health of the state's turkey population.

Survey results are combined with ongoing scientific research to track long-term population trends and guide conservation efforts.

For more information, contact the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information Center at 800-858-1549 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding state holidays.

Press closing at noon today

Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

 

THURSDAY'S LOCAL NEWScast

 

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Today's interview is with Salem City officials

Mayor Damron and Councilman Chittenden

Illinois calls for KYTC to continue negotiations

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ill. - Two Southern Illinois lawmakers are urging Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Cave-In-Rock Ferry operator to continue negotiating in hopes of restoring ferry service after operations were suspended Tuesday night.

The ferry ceased operations at the end of the fiscal year after the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and ferry operator Lonnie Ray Lewis Inc. failed to reach agreement on a new operating contract. Service has been suspended since Wednesday, July 1.

In a joint statement released by the Hardin County Independent, state Sen. Paul Jacobs and state Rep. Patrick Windhorst said they have been working with transportation officials in both Illinois and Kentucky, the Ohio River Ferry Authority, the ferry operator and Kentucky legislators in an effort to keep the crossing in service.

The lawmakers noted the ferry provides an important transportation link across the Ohio River, saving many commuters as much as an hour of driving compared with using the nearest bridge crossing. They also emphasized the ferry’s importance to commercial traffic, tourism and regional commerce.

“The Ferry, which is a safe and reliable mode of transportation for commercial traffic, people going to work, and tourists, generates tens of millions of dollars in economic benefit to both Kentucky and Illinois each year,” the lawmakers said. “For the benefit of the State of Illinois, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the thousands of people who rely on the Ferry, we urge negotiations to continue.”

Kentucky and Illinois have historically shared the cost of subsidizing ferry operations, with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet serving as the lead agency in negotiating the operating contract.

No timetable has been announced for resuming service, although local officials on both sides of the river have expressed hope that negotiations will continue and an agreement can still be reached.

How to respond to Cave-In-Rock ferry closing

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom is encouraging residents and businesses affected by the shutdown of the Cave-In-Rock Ferry to contact state transportation officials and lawmakers to explain how the disruption is impacting them.

The ferry suspended operations Tuesday night after Kentucky and Illinois officials and the ferry operator failed to reach an agreement on a new operating contract. Negotiations remain ongoing.

In a statement Wednesday morning, Newcom said it is “very unfortunate” that an agreement has not been reached and urged those affected by the closure to make their voices heard.

Residents may contact the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at 502-564-8100 and the Illinois Department of Transportation at 217-782-7820 or 866-273-3681 to leave a message describing the impact of the ferry shutdown. Newcom asked callers to explain the effects on them or their businesses in a considerate and specific manner.

He also encouraged Kentuckians to contact members of the Kentucky General Assembly through the legislative message line at 800-372-7181.

“I encourage all parties involved, including the respective departments of transportation, the legislators, and the ferry ownership team, to continue to communicate and arrive at an amicable resolution as soon as possible,” Newcom said.

The Cave-In-Rock Ferry is a vital transportation link connecting western Kentucky and southern Illinois, and its closure has forced motorists to use significantly longer alternate routes. Negotiations between the two states and the ferry operator are expected to continue.