Watch Marion's Christmas Parade at our Facebook Page

 

Sturgis coal miner dies in River View Accident

A 48-year-old coal miner died early this morning from injuries sustained in an accident at a Union County underground coal mine. 

Lester Daugherty Jr. of Sturgis, Ky., was a mechanic with 16 years of experience. He suffered critical injuries at the 16,000-foot-deep River View mine near Waverly. 

Daugherty began his shift at 11 p.m., Friday. He was performing maintenance on a continuous miner at the time of the accident. The Kentucky Department for Natural Resources Division of Mine Safety sent investigators to the mine early Saturday morning, following the death. All mining operations were shut down during the site inspection and remained closed today. 

The Division of Mine Safety last inspected the mine on Oct. 18, 2021.

No Parking on Main Street Saturday afternoon

PARADE BEGINS AT 5

Marion Police Department is asking everyone to avoid parking downtown on Main Street after 3 p.m., on Saturday. 

The annual holiday parade will be rolling down Marion starting at 5 p.m. Billy Arflack, a longtime public servant, deputy and emergency management official, will be the grand marshal. See this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press for a full profile of this year's parade grand marshal.

The police department is also urging caution by parents and children during the parade. Parents should avoid allowing children to dart across or into the street while the parade is going on. That can be difficult with some of the entries throwing out candy.

FREDONIA

In Fredonia, Friday's Christmas Parade begins at 6pm with grand marshal Glenna Louise Shinall Rowland, a lifelong Fredonia resident and former city councilwoman, leading the way. Santa is slated to be there as well.

How was your deer season?

For the second straight year, the local deer harvest is down. This time more noticeably. 

See this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press for a look at what could be happening.

Rifle deer season ended last weekend and we have harvest figures to compare with others in recent years. 

Heady files for Kentucky House of Representatives

Democrat Ronnie Heady of Marion has filed to run for the Fourth District Kentucky House seat currently held by Rep. Lynn Bechler (R-Marion).

Kristopher Driver, 28, a Fredonia City Councilman, also recently filed to run in 2022 for the House seat. He is a Republican and will face Bechler in the May primary. 

So far, Heady is the only Democrat seeking the office. The filing deadline is Jan. 7 unless the Kentucky General Assembly extends it due to any potential conflicts presented by redistricting in Kentucky. Lawmakers say proposed new congressional and state legislative maps will be revealed when the General Assembly convenes in early January. 

Heady, 59, has been Crittenden County PVA since he was first elected to the office in 1998. He’s the longest severing PVA in county history. Heady announced last summer he would not seek re-election as PVA. Three others have filed for that post.

A four-term member of the state House, Bechler, 75, is the first Republican to hold the Fourth District seat since 1985.

Phones out again at county judge's office

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom says the landline phone system in his office is not working again today.

The problem began yesterday.

"It just rings on the caller's line but we never get a ring on our end," Newcom said.

He hopes the issue is resolved today.

You can reach the county judge by email at perry.newcom@crittendencountyky.org.

$100 Winners from Chamber Kickoff

Chamber President Wynne Wallace presents $100 cash prizes to two local residents, Megan Hunt (left) and Tony Watson (right), who were big winners at Small Business Saturday’s kickoff at Marion Commons. Read more about the Chamber's promotional event in this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press. 

Redistricting could shuffle deck for candidates

Although statewide legislative and congressional candidates have already begun to register across Kentucky and here in the Fourth Legislative District, one important issue remains for all legislative races in 2022 – Redistricting.

The process may completely alter the boundaries for districts in races where candidates have already filed, either making them ineligible to run there or even pitting Republican or Democratic incumbents against each other.

Republican lawmakers plan to quickly pass new political maps during the upcoming legislative session, giving the public just about a week to see exactly what Kentucky’s state House, state Senate and congressional districts will look like before they are ... for the rest of this article see the Dec. 2, 2021 full edition of The Crittenden Press.

SURVEY: Sen. Mills seeks legislative input

TAKE SURVEY

Sen. Robby Mills (R-Henderson) has announced the publication of his 2022 Legislative Survey for his constituents of Senate District 4, which includes Crittenden and Livingston counties. 

The study is looking for input with regards to vaccinations, education, legalized marijuana, sports betting, the gas tax, law enforcement and more.

“This survey is a convenient means for me to receive feedback from those I represent. We are blessed to have a form of government that values the will of the people,” Mills said. “Our continued success as a state and a nation is dependent on an engaged citizenry. When the General Assembly gavels in for the start of the 2022 session, my legislative survey will help me better understand the thoughts and feelings of those who sent me to Frankfort on their behalf.”

Mills’ legislative survey is now posted on his legislative profile on the Legislative Research Commission website. The survey is intended only for constituents of Senate District 4, also encompassing Caldwell, Henderson, Union and Webster counties. Citizens of the 4th District can access the survey by clicking on THIS LINK. The survey will be available through Feb. 2.

Per the Constitution of Kentucky, the 2022 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly begins on Tuesday, January 4.

For more information on Senator Robby Mills and to keep up with legislative activity, visit legislature.ky.gov. 

GO HERE FOR THE SURVEY

 

Looking for beautiful venue?

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Fohs Hall in Marion is the ideal venue for your next event. 

Whether it is a small celebration, anniversary party or corporate meeting, Fohs Hall is an historic setting with plenty of room to accommodate your needs.

The former school is the site of community events such as concerts, 

plays and special performances by school groups. It is also available 

for private events.

To learn more about space availability, contact Elliot West.

Job Corps Center looking for employees

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The Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center is offering a sign-on bonus.

The Morganfield academy also offers competitive salaries, a benefits package and advancement opportunities.

Both full- and part-time positions are available.

To learn more about the sign-on bonus or any of the employment opportunities available, visit mtcjobs.com.

Hodge named PVA Deputy of the Year

At last week’s fiscal court meeting, Crittenden County Deputy PVA Libby Hodge was presented an award for being named Kentucky Deputy of the Year. 

Crittenden County PVA Ronnie Heady made the surprise presentation. 

Heady said the award is typically presented during the annual PVA state conference, which was not held because of the pandemic. 

Hodge has worked 14 years in the property valuation office at the courthouse and is truly deserving of the honor, Heady said.

Work underway on Deer Creek Church Road

A Crittenden County road maintenance crew is working on Deer Creek Church Road today.  

It will be closed until 3pm this afternoon.

Buntin conducts Blackburn auction Saturday

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Curt Buntin will sell the personal property of Pat and Becky Blackburn Saturday, Dec. 4.

Buntin Auction Service will begin the auction at 9 a.m.

Located in Fredonia, the sale will feature a wide variety of guns, knives, collectibles, tools, furniture and outdoor equipment.

The auction is located at 110 West Pearson Street in Fredonia.

Your voting place could change in 2022

CLICK TO ENLARGE MAP

Crittenden County's consolidation plan for future elections has been okayed by the state, and the county is getting a grant to help pay for new voting equipment.

The election site consolidation plan which trims the number of polling locations from 12 to five was approved last week by they State Board of Elections. It will be the first time in more than 30 years that the county has had fewer than a dozen voting sites.

Crittenden County Board of Elections a few months ago submitted the consolidation plan. It maintains rural voting options in the Tolu-Sheridan area, the far southern and eastern parts of the county and in Mattoon. In town, there will be one county-wide voting center at Marion Baptist Church. The central voting site will consolidate six traditional voting locations in Marion to just one. Voters who have traditionally cast ballots at Marion Ed-Tech Center, Emmanuel Baptist Church, St. William Catholic Church, Crittenden County Public Library and the courthouse will now vote at Marion Baptist Churuch.

Any voter in the county, regardless of his or her certified precinct, will be allowed to cast their ballot at the voting center at Marion Baptist. 

Voters in the Shady Grove and Mattoon areas will see no changes.

In addition to Election Day, there will be only three days of early voting on Thursday, May 12 through Saturday, May 14. Mail-in balloting will also be available for a handful of voters like the elderly, sick, care-takers or people who might be out of town during early voting and on Election Day. For the rest of this article, see the November 25, 2021 full edition of The Crittenden Press

Small Business Saturday in Marion

It's not too late to get in on all of the deals around town in the area today.

Rocket grads heading to state championships

A couple of Rocket football alumni and former CCHS coaches will soon join only a handful of Crittenden County High School graduates to ever coach in a state football championship.

Sean Thompson, head coach at Paducah Tilghman, and Noah Dickerson, assistant coach at South Warren, will be on the sidelines at Kroger Field in Lexington on Dec. 4 as their teams seek state championships.

Their teams won their respective state seminal games Friday night. Read more at RocketsFootball.com where we've listed other CCHS grads who coached in state finals. 

Official Couple: Porters enjoy reffing together

A shortage of referees and umpires is affecting local scholastic, recreational and travel sports across the region, state and country. 

Since the pandemic began, fewer and fewer new officials are joining the ranks and more are quitting.

One local couple has found that they can spend quality time together and earn extra money. The unique tandem was officiating a middle school basketball game last week in Marion. The husband and wife team of Jeff and Misty Porter are no strangers to local athletics. They played sports in high school at Crittenden and Livingston Central, respectively, and have raised  children who were very active in scholastic sports.

 CAN YOU MAKE THE CALL?

If interested in being a paid referee or umpire in any scholastic sport, email matt.bell@webster.kyschools.us or call 270-871-6956 for more information. Association meetings will begin in January. There is a nationwide shortage of sports officials and help is greatly needed in this area. 

Now, their  distinctive work as a self-contained referee crew is quite unique and might be an inspiration for other families to get involved with officiating.

“I get to call two or three games a season with Jeff in basketball. I enjoy it because we hash out the game on the way home or test each other on rules on the way to the game,” said Misty.

“Officiating allows me to be involved with sports which I love and to be part of a team with my fellow officials. In the last few years it has become very special as I get to share my hobby of officiating with my wife,” said Jeff, a 1986 graduate of Crittenden County High School.

“I’ve always loved sports,” Misty adds. “I played softball and basketball since the age of five. I’ve always wanted to continue to be involved in basketball even after my career of basketball was over. I umpired some when I was in high school with little league in Livingston. I’ve been a player, coach, sports mom and now a high school official. I’ve seen all sides.”

Her husband, who had been in officiating for many years and has called high school state championship  games, encouraged Misty to get involved.

Last year, the couple was on the floor at the same time officiating a regional tournament in the First Region.

“We enjoy sports and officiating allows us to spend time together while enjoying a hobby. We get into discussions of rules and game situations which makes us better at what we do,” said Jeff. “We get to call some games together and when we do we treat each other just like another official, not as a married couple. A highlight of our officiating career was when Misty got to officiate her first high school ... for the rest of this article see the November 25, 2021 full edition of The Crittenden Press.

Win $100 Saturday morning in Marion

With the mission of supporting and promoting the Shop Local First mantra, Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce has organized a Small Business Saturday promotion for this week.

Merchants throughout town will be open starting early Saturday morning and the Chamber will be handing out “goodie bags” starting at 9 a.m., at the Farmers Bank Parking Lot behind Marion City Hall. Due to the pandemic, participants will not have to leave their cars. 

Inside those bags are countless savings and other values. One bag will include a voucher for $100 cash and there will be premium prizes in many more bags. Premium prizes can be redeemed at the Marion Welcome Center.

While the overall motive is to get people to shop with area merchants this holiday season, it’s also a

H&H reveals Black Friday deals

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H&H Home & Hardware has Black Friday deals you don't want to miss.

A host of home and industrial products are on sale Friday, from power tools to Pyrex.

Buy select Milwaukee power tools and get one free! 

Sleds for kids, bird seeds for ornithologists and other deals await. 

Stop by H&H in Marion and get shopping!

Ohio River dock at Riverview still not open

Further complications in completing installation of a boat dock at Riverview Park on the Ohio River is creating another delay in opening of the pier for public use.

Judge-Executive Perry Newcom lamented the latest delays, the last in a series of stumbling blocks over the past few years. Duck season and early winter fishing are creating a demand for its use. Although it’s in the water, Newcom said the dock is not properly installed and unsafe for use due to some fabrication issues.

Newcom said the installation company out of Paducah is scheduled to be at the river Monday to complete installation of the walkway to the pier. 

True Value plans Small Business event

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Marion True Value is celebrating the Christmas shopping season with drawings, a Christmas activity for children and free coffee for shoppers.

On Small Business Saturday, the Sturgis Road hardware store will help families get into the holiday shopping spirit early – beginning at 8 a.m.

Register to win gift cards drawn throughout the day, and bring the kids to decorate Christmas gift bags with the help of the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum staff.

A Shop with a Cop event will conclude festivities at 12:30 p.m.

For more information, stop by and get more details.