Turley among 2026 KHSAA Hall of Fame class

WKU photo

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County native Curtis Turley is among a distinguished Class of 2026 that will be inducted into the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame presented by Roberts Insurance on Sunday, April 26, at the Central Bank Center Ballroom in Lexington.

With the addition of this year’s 13-member class, the Hall of Fame grows to 542 all-time inductees since its inception in 1988. Tickets for the induction ceremony will be available at a later date at khsaatickets.org.

Turley, 72, now lives in Bowling Green, but he grew up in Marion and graduated from Crittenden County High School in 1972. He carved out a 32-year career as a head basketball coach across the Commonwealth, including at Lyon County and Graves County in western Kentucky, and won 624 games with 17 seasons with 20 or more victories. Beginning his head coaching career at age 22 in 1976, he made stops at a dozen Kentucky schools and is one of a select few coaches to lead three different programs to the Sweet 16 appearances – Warren Central (1982, 1983), Henderson County (1990) and Daviess County (2003). He was named Coach of the Year by both the Lexington Herald-Leader and Louisville Courier-Journal in 1996 and has previously been inducted into multiple state basketball halls of fame, including the Kentucky High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Marion-Crittenden County Athletics Hall of Fame. He also spent time as an assistant coach and director of operations with the women’s basketball program at Western Kentucky University. 

“To me Curtis Turley has long been a legend in the coaching community,” said former Crittenden County coach Denis Hodge. “He is a gentleman’s gentleman and a mentor so many. He has always been so willing to help other coaches, and no one is more passionate about high school basketball. 

Also among this year’s inductees is Caldwell County golf standout Emma Talley, one of the most decorated players in state history. A 2012 graduate, Talley competed in seven consecutive state

Looking back at Hodge's mark on Marion

To mark the passing of longtime local businessman Leroy Hodge, we went into the archives and retrieved this article published in THE CRITTENDEN PRESS about two years ago, on February 15, 2024. 

Emil Leroy Hodge, 83, of Marion, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 at Livingston Hospital. Services are scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28 at Marion Baptist Church followed by burial in Sugar Grove Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6-9 p.m., Friday at Gilbert Funeral Home and from 10 a.m., until service time Satur- day at the church.

From The Press archives | Available at Newspapers.com

It’s hard to imagine Leroy Hodge as an adrenaline junkie.

Most recognize him as somewhat of a stoic, reverent man who has served customers for many years from behind a sporting goods counter.

Yet, in his 20s and 30s, Hodge, now 81, learned to fly a plane, perform waterskiing stunts, race motorcycles and exercise an appetite for adventure as a scuba diver.

He even had an earring – if only for a day – just to prove he could do it.

It didn’t take long for Hodge’s enterprising spirit to develop into a successful business career.

Today, his namesake, Hodge’s Sports & Apparel, is on the eve of its 50th anniversary. It is a Marion landmark, a retail rock that has adapted to a varied clientele across six different decades, offering everything from motorcycles and trampolines to night-crawlers, tuxedos and electronics.

Hodge is Marion’s longest-operating retail business owner.

His career started miles from Marion in pipeline construction, but he returned to his father Charlie Hodge’s Westside Market in the 1960s working as a butcher.

In 1971, married with a young daughter, Hodge and wife Barbara purchased North Court S&T Hardware on East Bellville Street from Imogene and Raymond “Pat” Patmor. It was there that daughter Britt began “playing” store, laying a foundation for her future management of the current retail enterprise on Sturgis Road.

“It was his first leap of faith into business,” his wife recalls, pointing out that despite their desire to get into retail, it was rife with early heartache.

“I soon regretted it,” Hodge admits. “It made him sick – literally made him sick – the financial aspect of it,” Barbara said. “We were newlyweds and poor, we didn’t have any money.”

A few years later, Charlie Hodge sold Westside Market and Leroy Hodge sold North Court S&T Hardware, and the father/son team purchased York Sporting Goods on Sturgis Road and renamed it Hodge Outdoors. They sold motorcycles, bicycles, go-carts, hardware, paint, Franciscan China and wedding gifts. Charlie Hodge, who some may remember by his handle “Shotgun,” parlayed a hobby in CB radios into a Radio Shack franchise that meshed with Hodges’ business model.

On May 1, 1974, Leroy and Charlie Hodge opened Hodge Outdoor Sports. They soon phased out hardware, expanded the sporting goods department, and during the 1980s energy crisis sold wood-heater inserts.

Leroy Hodge later became the sole owner and transitioned into apparel after he found a good deal on Levis jeans from a Madisonville wholesaler. The apparel department grew from there, and today is

Development plan scrapped south of Fredonia

Area counties considering a resolution to dissolve an organization originally tasked with developing a mega industrial site south of Fredonia. 

Crittenden County Fiscal Court last week approved a resolution to dissolve the Pennyrile Westpark Industrial Development Authority, formally ending its participation in a multi-county effort to market a 500-acre industrial megasite near Fredonia. Other counties in the coalition are expected to consider similar action to withdraw and dissolve the authority, including Lyon, Caldwell, Trigg and Livingston.

The resolution states the authority “currently has no assets and is no longer deemed a viable option for the purpose of promoting economic development.”

The property for the proposed megasite was owned by the State of Kentucky, which had offered it to the authority for development. When the concept was introduced almost five years ago, it would have been one of only two megasites in the state available for industrial development.

Located near the West Kentucky Correctional Complex along the Lyon-Caldwell county line, the large tract was ultimately determined to be unsuitable for the intended purpose.

The authority was established to oversee development and marketing of the site. The Tennessee Valley Authority had expressed interest in assisting with the project, and there was cautious optimism it could become a key component in attracting large-scale industrial development to the region. The planned U.S. 641 relocation also was viewed as a potential transportation advantage for the site.

Updated Federal Emergency Management Agency maps showed a significant portion of the property in the floodplain. To confirm those concerns, a state grant was secured in 2022 to fund a comprehensive engineering study. The results of that study concluded the site was not feasible for development as an industrial megasite.

Consider Fohs Hall for your next event

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Planning a bridal shower, class reunion or special 

event? Consider holding that event at Fohs Hall.

Fohs Hall, a beautiful 100-year-old cultural arts 

center, is the area's premier special events venue. 

For rental information, contact Elliot West.

 

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County Ethics Board meets Monday morning

Marion-Crittenden County Code of Ethics Board will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at the County Office Complex

On the agenda will be acknowledgement of financial disclosure forms and potential action for those in non-compliance, discussion and possible action on ethics complaint procedures

 The joint city-county board consists of appointees Susan Yarbrough, Dan Wood and Mickey Alexander.

Marion will celebrate 182nd Birthday

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The City of Marion marks its 182nd birthday this month.

Marion was incorporated Feb. 22, 1844. To celebrate the anniversary, the city office will host a birthday cake reception Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. A donated cake will be available to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cake will be served on a first-come basis while supplies last.

Sen. Jason Howell | Legislative Update

Week Seven of the 2026 Legislative Session

With more than 30 legislative days complete of the required 60, the Senate has remained focused on steady, deliberate progress. At this stage of the session, nine of the Senate majority’s 10 top-priority bills have been filed and passed the Senate.

First, I’m happy to inform you that the first bill of this session to be signed by the governor and become

law is Senate Bill (SB) 172. It provides an additional tool to the Kentucky Public Service Commission to address energy affordability challenges. Under the bill, upon request from your utility company, the PSC could prevent sudden spikes in utility bills from fuel surcharges by allowing the costs to be spread out over time. I’m happy to see this bipartisan measure become law, as it should provide relief for you in the very near future.

I have heard from many of you regarding the early budget bill filed in the state House of Representatives and the budget process more broadly. I understand these discussions affect real families, and I appreciate those who have taken the time to share their concerns.

It is important to clarify where we currently stand. The state budget originates in the House of Representatives, and it has not yet passed that chamber. When the House delivers a proposed budget to the Senate, we will carefully review it, evaluate any changes and make revisions where necessary. That is the Senate’s constitutional responsibility, and we take it seriously.

Questions surrounding health insurance costs, benefit stability and long-term affordability deserve thoughtful review. Those issues require discipline, transparency and careful analysis. In fulfilling the Senate’s role in the budget process, our guiding principles remain clear:

Maintain a structurally balanced budget, ensuring recurring revenues support recurring expenses.

Exercise discipline with one-time dollars and avoid short-term budgeting approaches that create long-term instability.

Make thoughtful, transparent decisions that protect both taxpayers and public employees.

There is considerable work ahead before a final budget is enacted, and I will continue keeping you informed as the process moves forward.

On Thursday, the Senate welcomed military families from across the commonwealth for our annual Military Kids Day at the Capitol. This special event honors the children and grandchildren of those who serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces. Military kids endure long deployments, frequent moves, new schools and time away from parents who answer the call to protect our freedoms. These young Kentuckians explored a Capitol campus they may one day return to as public servants themselves. It was an honor to recognize their resilience and thank their families for the shared sacrifice that strengthens both our state and our nation.

Several bills were passed out of the Senate this week.

SB 9 streamlines regulations and creates new financing tools to support housing construction and redevelopment across Kentucky. The bill aims to increase housing supply, strengthen local economies and help more Kentuckians find homes they can afford.

SB 39 gives private landowners greater flexibility to manage lakes and ponds on their own property by allowing them to stock and fish without certain state limits on size, creel or methods. It also allows landowners to extend those privileges to others through written or electronic permission, while

Items recovered from Sunday burglary

Sheriff Head inventories items
recovered on Thursday.

MARION, Ky. – A 28-year-old woman was arrested Thursday in Crittenden County on multiple felony charges in connection with a burglary at a hunting cabin on Sunday, Feb. 15.

Breauna Moon is charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), second offense; convicted felon in possession of a firearm; receiving stolen property; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Crittenden County Sheriff Evan Head said a passerby reported seeing some of the stolen items at a residence in the Levias community Thursday. During the investigation, additional items were located at a nearby home on Zion Cemetery Road.

When deputies arrived at that residence, they found Moon along with items believed to have been stolen from the cabin. An inventory of recovered property included two long guns, knives, a welder, boots, tools and maple syrup. The recovered items were valued between $10,000 and $15,000, according to the sheriff.

Assisting in the investigation and recovery were Deputy James Duncan and Special Deputy Jason Hurley.

Sheriff Head said another person of interest remains at large and may be the male suspect captured on surveillance video inside the cabin during the burglary.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department at 270-965-3400.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Ferry idled by high west winds

Cave-In-Rock Ferry has closed due to hazardous weather conditions.

The ferry shut down at 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 20, because of high west winds creating rough river conditions on the Ohio River.

Officials said an update will be provided once conditions improve and service can safely resume. 

Missing woman is located

MARION, Ky. - ShaDonn Clark, the Marion woman who had been missing for more than two weeks, has been located and is believed to be safe, according to a statement posted by her father on social media Friday morning.

In the post, he said Clark has been seen and that “all indications she is not in harm.” He wrote that she has chosen to leave and make no contact with him, family or friends, adding that he does not know why and that many questions remain unanswered.

Clark, 38, was last confirmed to have been seen in the early morning hours of Feb. 6 in Huntington, W.Va., after a series of sightings in northern Kentucky, southern Ohio and West Virginia.

Her disappearance was reported to authorities, and the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department became the lead agency in the case Feb. 13. 

In his post, Clark’s father thanked family, friends and the community for their prayers and support and expressed appreciation to Sheriff Evan Head for his efforts during the search.

No additional details about Clark’s location were stated. Sheriff Evan Head has confirmed this information. 

SPORTScast | KHSAA re-alignment

 

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Special Friday Podcast discussing

KHSAA's landmark announcement 

In Partnership with The Launch Pad in Marion, Ky.

Basketball District Tournaments next week in Marion

 

New multiplier factor could benefit Rockets football

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association Board of Control has approved a major change that could significantly reshape football classifications beginning with the 2027-28 realignment cycle.

Under the measure, private schools will have their boys enrollment multiplied by 1.35 for football classification purposes and their total enrollment multiplied by 1.35 for track and cross country. Public schools will continue to use a factor of 1.0.

The adjustment means some private schools could move up a class in football and track and cross country when the next four-year alignment takes effect in 2027. The new alignment was supposed to be released today, but the multiplier change means more time will be needed to sort through the lineup. It is unclear when realignment will be released.

In football, Class A consists of the bottom 32 football-playing schools in the state based on enrollment. If enough private schools currently in Class A are pushed into Class 2A by the multiplier, that could shift the cutoff line downward – potentially allowing public schools near the margin to drop into Class A.

For Class 2A Crittenden County, that could be significant. If enrollment figures and statewide positioning fall favorably during realignment, the Rockets could find themselves back in Class A football in the next cycle. Crittenden has traditionally been a Class A football program. It won the state title in 1985. During its years in Class 2A, the Rockets have rarely advanced past the first round and routinely have been eliminated by Owensboro Catholic, a private school.

The KHSAA’s move is expected to generate discussion statewide, particularly among small public schools that have long argued competitive balance concerns in certain sports.

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Joined this morning by Judge-Exec Perry Newcom

This week's paper | Full of Local News

This week’s full edition of The Crittenden Press is packed with stories you won’t want to miss.

Inside this week’s paper:

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• A major state highway proposal that could reroute heavy truck traffic through a residential area near Crittenden County Elementary School. What does it mean for safety and local infrastructure?

• The latest developments in the search for Shadonn Clark, including updated timeline details.

• A deep dive into Marion City Council’s lengthy meeting addressing what the mayor called “egregious” budget errors and a potential $300,000 sewer fund shortfall.

• Coverage of Senate Bill 152, legislation that would eliminate school-based decision-making councils across Kentucky.

• A hunting cabin burglary caught on camera, with guns and a side-by-side stolen.

• The newly released audit of the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office.

• Plus sports, school news, community events, opinion columns and historical features.

If you want complete access, including crime and court coverage, in-depth government reporting, sports recaps, obituaries, public records, and stories you won’t find on social media, subscribe to the digital edition.

For just $32 a year, you’ll receive:

• The full eEdition delivered to your inbox every Wednesday at noon

• Complete access to every page of every issue

• Unlimited access to our archives dating back to the 1800s, included at no extra charge through our new agreement with Newspapers.com

That’s generations of Crittenden County history, searchable anytime, plus today’s breaking local news.

Support independent local journalism that has served this community since 1879.

Subscribe now at the-press.com or call 270-965-3191 to start your digital subscription today. 

Local leaders visit Frankfort to meet legislators

 

Local leaders paid a visit to Frankfort last Thursday, visiting with legislators and others such as Rocky Adkins (left), who is Gov. Andy Beshear’s senior advisor. Also pictured from (left) are Livingston County Judge-Executive Michael Williams, Marion City Administrator Adam Ledford, Crittenden County Board of Education Chairman Chris Cook, City Councilman Cutter Singleton, Crittenden-Livingston Water District Director Andy Hunt, Marion Mayor D’Anna Browning, Marion Code Enforcement Officer Tanya Byers, Crittenden-Livingston Water District Superintendent Abby Adamson, Crittenden County Attorney Bart Frazer and Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom. 

LISTEN OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE OCUNTY JUDGE ON THURSDAY'S PODCAST

A delegation of Marion, Crittenden County and Livingston County leaders traveled to Frankfort late last week to meet with state officials during the current session of the Kentucky General Assembly, pressing for support on road funding, jail reimbursement and other local priorities.

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcomb described the trip as an annual opportunity to “showcase Marion and Crittenden County” while advocating for resources critical to local operations. Joining Newcomb were Marion Mayor D’Anna Browning, representatives of the water district, school officials, the county attorney and other community leaders. Livingston County Judge-Executive Michael Williams also attended.

The group met with Gov. Andy Beshear’s senior advisor, Rocky Adkins, to thank the administration for prior support of the Crittenden-Livingston Water District expansion project and to provide an update on progress. Phase 1 is nearly complete, Newcom said, with the remaining portion involving an interconnection across Kentucky Dam that requires authorization from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Road funding dominated discussions among county officials.

Newcomb said Crittenden County expected about $369,000 in its February road aid disbursement, roughly 30% of its annual allocation from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, but received about $165,000. The road department relies on state funds for more than 80% of its budget, covering salaries, fuel, equipment, culverts and general maintenance.

The reduction has prompted concern statewide, Newcom said, particularly among counties that depend heavily on road aid to meet payroll and continue projects through the end of the fiscal year.

Newcom cited a one-cent cut in the state gas tax at the start of the year as a contributing factor in reduced revenue. The judge said officials are hopeful a funding solution will emerge, similar to how the state addressed a shortfall in the senior meals program earlier in the fiscal year.

Economic development was also on the agenda. Local leaders met with cabinet officials to discuss the remaining balance on a loan tied to the North Industrial Park. With the loan maturing in March, Crittenden County officials requested an extension and were told options were available to work through the issue.

The delegation also highlighted the importance of continued state support for the Cave-In-Rock Ferry, which connects Crittenden County with southern Illinois. Newcomb said funding for the ferry often comes together near the end of the legislative process, requiring frequent communication between local and state officials. Right now, allocated funds are $200,000 short of what’s needed, Newcom said.

Another key issue was jail funding under House Bill 557. The proposal would adjust the per diem rate paid to counties housing state inmates and, in certain cases, reimburse counties for housing felony defendants prior to sentencing.

Newcomb cited a current local case in which a defendant has been held in the county jail since 2022. If the legislation passes as drafted, the county could receive reimbursement totaling more than $50,000. Lawmakers continue to negotiate details of the bill, including potential limits on how far reimbursements would extend.

While it may take months to determine the full impact of the visit, Newcomb said the goal was clear.

“Hopefully we were able to do some good,” he said.

Sheriff releases burglary suspect photos

MARION, Ky. - A hunting cabin was burglarized late Sunday night in rural Crittenden County, and authorities say the suspect was captured on security video inside the residence.

According to the Crittenden County Sheriff Evan Head, the break-in was reported at 11:33 p.m., on Feb. 15. Deputies determined the suspect forced entry through a rear door, then beat a lock off an interior door inside the cabin.

Two long guns, several tools and a 2021 KIOTI K9 side-by-side were taken during the burglary.

Security footage shows a male suspect inside the cabin with his face partially covered. He was described as wearing a ball cap, jacket, camouflage undershirt and possible blue jeans. Authorities say the suspect was armed with a handgun.

The stolen side-by-side was last seen leaving Zion Cemetery Road east of Marion in the Midway community and traveling toward the Salem area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department at 270-965-3400. 

Handgun is in the suspect's waist

This is the stolen UTV

WATER DISTRICT | Lifts Boil Order

Crittenden-Livingston Water District's Boil Water Order issued on Saturday has been lifted.

Downtown Marion | Street Work Wednesday

MARION, Ky. – Motorists should be mindful of one-lane traffic Wednesday at the intersection of Bellville and Court streets in front of the funeral home as the city repairs a water line break beneath the street.

Maintenance Supervisor Greg Tabor said work will begin at 8 a.m., after school traffic has cleared the area, and is expected to be completed before school is dismissed. During the repairs, the street will be reduced to one lane.