Softball Postseason opens on Monday

Fifth District Tournament begins Monday at Cadiz

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The 2026 Lady Rocket softball team includes (front from left) Fiona Louden, Isabel Geary, Blakelee Gardner, Mela Penn, Lilly Cappello, Addie Nelson, Karlee Jent, Brooklyn Lovell, London McCord, (back) coach Shawn Holeman, Caroline Martin, Georgia Holeman, Elliot Evans, Anna Boone, Andrea Federico, Elle McDaniel, Brenna Kemmer, Brodi Rich, head coach Chris Evans, coach Stephanie Galusha. The Lady Rockets are led by four-year seniors Federico, Boone, Evans, McDaniel and Holeman. The team has already matched its win total from last year just one month into the new season. Playing in the toughest district in west Kentucky, the Lady Rockets hope to get back to the regional tournament this year. Its last district championship came when this year’s seniors were just freshmen.

Voting starts at 6am Tuesday

 

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Marion's Lucky Strike Man

Before he was a familiar face back home in Marion, Aubrey “Buster” Shaver was riding horses, playing western villains and sharing the screen with some of Hollywood’s biggest names.

The former Marion High School graduate appeared in films and television shows alongside stars like Ronald Reagan and Bill Cosby, and many may remember him best as the rugged cowboy from Lucky Strike cigarette commercials in the early 1960s.

After years in Arizona working in law enforcement and acting, Shaver eventually returned home to Crittenden County in retirement.

Read local historian Brenda Underdown's interesting piece on Shaver in this week’s edition of The Crittenden Press as she revisits the fascinating life of the hometown cowboy who went from western movie sets to national television, and finally back to Marion.

BRIDGE BETWEEN D'BURG-EDDYVILLE NAMED FOR LEFAN

DYCUSBURG, Ky. – Andrea LeFan was a bright, beautiful teenager when she died in a tragic two-vehicle crash almost 20 years ago on KY 295 between Dycusburg and Eddyville.

“Her bubbly personality and smile – she would just light up a room when she walked in,” said Lyon County Judge-Executive Jamie Green-Smith, who was the school resource officer in Lyon County in 2006 when Lefan was killed.

On Friday, a bridge on KY 295 not far from the crash site will be dedicated in Lefan’s memory. The bridge was formally named in LeFan’s honor by the Kentucky General Assembly, and fiscal courts in both Crittenden and Lyon counties adopted resolutions on the matter.

Green-Smith has led an effort to dedicate the bridge at the Lyon-Crittenden county line to honor the memory of LeFan, who lived north of Dycusburg in Crittenden County and attended Lyon County High School.

LeFan died June 5, 2006, from injuries sustained in the crash. She was just 16 years old.

The Lyon County Fiscal Court will host the dedication ceremony at 11:30 a.m., May 15 at the KY 295 Livingston Creek Bridge at mile point 9.419. The bridge will be reduced to one lane so traffic can continue to pass slowly through during the ceremony. 

Motorists should expect one-lane, alternating traffic between 11 a.m. and noon during the event. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet flaggers will direct traffic through the area while the temporary lane restriction is in place.

An earlier ceremony in Eddyville will also recognize Shawn King, who was killed in a bicycle accident on KY 93. Officials said the remembrance is intended to honor local lives lost on Lyon County roadways.

Polls open 6 to 6 on Tuesday

 

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Salem Council changes meeting date for next week

Salem City Council has changed the date of its monthly meeting due to Election Day.

The meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday has been moved to Thursday, May 21, at 5 p.m. in the Deer Lakes meeting room.

Because the change in date legally requires the meeting to be classified as a special-called meeting, the council must strictly adhere to the posted agenda. Anyone wishing to place an item on the agenda should contact Salem City Hall by 2 p.m. prior to the meeting.

Students honored, Livingston gives 2% pay hike

LIVINGSTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

Livingston County Board of Education approved a 2% districtwide pay raise Monday night and boosted pay for retired teacher substitutes to $205 per day during a special called meeting packed with students, parents and faculty celebrating student achievement.

Board Chair David Kitchens called the May 11 meeting to order with all members present after the meeting time was changed from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The board room was filled for the district’s monthly LiveRED recognitions honoring students and staff involved in Career and Technical Education organizations that advanced to national competition following strong performances at the state level.

Superintendent Amy Ramage recognized Livingston County High School’s SkillsUSA team members who qualified for national competition this summer in Atlanta.

The Welding Fabrication team of Keaton Guill, Weslee Taylor and Dawson Thompson earned first place at state. Madison Anderson captured first place in Restaurant Service, while the Chapter Business Procedures team of Holli Kerr, Izzy Coomer, Aly Rowell, Dulce Lopez Cotera and Lian Guy also claimed a state championship.

Ramage additionally recognized Hunter Wilson for being selected as state treasurer for SkillsUSA Kentucky.

Livingston Central High School’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter was also honored for qualifying for nationals in San Antonio, Texas. Wen Yang Duong placed first at state, while Joshua Turner finished fifth.

The board also recognized Livingston Central High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter for state competition success that earned trips to nationals in Washington, D.C.

Brooklyn Travelstead and Madison Kittle won first place in Chapter Service Project, while the Parliamentary Procedures team of Holli Kerr, Allie Buijk, Izzy Coomer, Rebecca Dean and Aly Rowell also earned first place honors.

Following the student recognitions, Ramage and LCHS Assistant Principal Leigh Choat honored Career and Technical Education teachers and advisors Jason Culver, Karlie Moore, Amy Hancock and Zeke Burg for their work preparing students for state competition.

During her monthly report, Ramage told the board no bids were received for painting projects at South Livingston Elementary School and that alternative options are being explored to complete the work this summer.

She also discussed the district’s Summer Feeding Program and preparations for state procurement changes involving the ACT or SAT beginning next school year.

Board members approved an auditor contract and final budgets for Fiscal Year 2027. The board also approved renewal of the school resource officer contract with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department and participation in the Community Eligibility Provision, allowing the district to continue providing free breakfasts and lunches to all students.

The board’s approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 salary schedule included a 2% raise across the district and increased pay for retired teacher substitutes to $205 per day. District officials said the move makes Livingston County one of the highest-paying districts in the region for retired teacher substitutes and is intended to help recruitment efforts.

The next meeting of the Livingston County Board of Education is scheduled for 5 p.m. June 8 at the Livingston County Board of Education office.

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Rockets open post-season play next week

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Members of the Rockets baseball team are (from left) Jake Rich, Cameron Nesbitt, Whyatt Gibson, Eli Herrin, Brier Brown, Carter Tyner, Jett Champion, Luke Melton, Eli Lovell, Daryl Sherer, (back) Keegan Pierson, Brady Dayberry, Davis Perryman, Quinn Summers, Jaxton Duncan, Hudson Stokes, Drake Young, Zack Rustin coach Riley Jones and assistant coach Trace Adams.

 

NY DRIVER FACES LIVINGSTON CHARGES

SMITHLAND, KY. – A Brooklyn, N.Y., truck driver now faces homicide charges in connection with a tragic Interstate 24 crash in Livingston County nearly two years ago that killed an Evansville, Ind., grandmother and her two young grandchildren as traffic slowed near a Tennessee River bridge construction zone.

In a direct submittal of the felony case, a Livingston County grand jury on Tuesday indicted Mansur A. Kholikov, 24, on three counts of reckless homicide stemming from the July 29, 2024 multi-vehicle crash in the westbound lane of I-24 near the Grand Rivers Exit. The crashed was just east of where a contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet was conducting work on the Tennessee River bridge. It was not unusual at the time for traffic to be backed up for nearly a mile or more.

According to Kentucky State Police, Kholikov was operating a semi-truck westbound on I-24 when traffic slowed approaching the bridge construction area, which had been reduced to one lane. Investigators said the semi failed to slow and struck multiple vehicles, triggering secondary collisions involving at least five vehicles.

Killed in the crash were 68-year-old Saundra Dodd of Evansville and her grandchildren, Tallulah Dodd, 6, and Pele Doerter, 8. Their vehicle was reportedly engulfed in flames when first responders arrived.

Two other people were airlifted to out-of-state hospitals following the collision, while several additional victims were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Kholikov reportedly was not injured.

Other members of Dodd’s family were injured in the crash as they were traveling in another vehicle.

The criminal indictment comes as civil litigation connected to the crash continues in Livingston Circuit Court. According to court filings, crash victims and surviving family members have filed lawsuits against Bahtiyor Trucking LLC of Manville, N.J.; Kholikov personally; and other manufacturing and contracting defendants.

Kentucky State Police previously told the Evansville Courier-Press newspaper that investigators reviewed electronic data recorders and logging systems connected to the semi-truck as part of the lengthy crash reconstruction investigation.

Tuesday is primary election day

 

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Your Guide to the 2026 Primary Election

The 2026 Primary Election is fast approaching, and it is time for Crittenden County voters to head to the polls! Whether you prefer to beat the rush with early voting or participate in the tradition of Election Day, we have all the details you need to ensure your voice is heard.

Early Voting kicks off this week at the County Office Complex. On Election Day, Tuesday, May 19, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at five convenient locations across the county.

Important Note: The Crittenden County Clerk’s Office will be closed to all regular business on Tuesday, May 19, to focus exclusively on election activities.

Be sure to bring a valid ID and check your specific precinct at GoVote.ky.gov before heading out.

Polling places open 6am to 6pm Monday

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Paducah woman arrested in Marion on meth charges

MARION, Ky. - A Paducah woman was arrested Monday evening near Marion after authorities  discovered approximately 2 pounds of alleged crystal methamphetamine hidden inside a vehicle engine compartment during a multi-agency narcotics investigation.

According to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, detectives with the agency’s Drug Division began investigating 42-year-old April M. McKenzie in April after identifying her as a suspected source of methamphetamine in western Kentucky.

Investigators said McKenzie was traveling through several western Kentucky counties during the investigation. The sheriff’s office worked with the Kentucky State Police and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office to monitor her activities.

Authorities said that just before 5 p.m., Monday, Kentucky State Police Trooper TJ Williams conducted a traffic stop on McKenzie along U.S. 641 outside the Marion city limits. During the stop, a McCracken County Sheriff’s Office narcotics K-9 alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics coming from the vehicle.

A probable cause search allegedly led investigators to discover about 2 pounds of crystal methamphetamine concealed in the engine compartment.

McKenzie was taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

Authorities said McKenzie has at least two prior convictions for trafficking in methamphetamine and that the case is expected to be considered for federal prosecution through the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

McKenzie of Park Avenue in Paducah was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, second or subsequent offense; possession of drug paraphernalia; and excessive window tinting.

Bus drivers needed

 

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Country Music Royalty here Saturday

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May Primary Election is next week

 

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Lyon County Sheriff's Activity

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office recently released the following reports.

On Sunday, May 3, Deputy Bobby Beeler responded to a collision on Travis Road after a vehicle reportedly left the roadway, struck a mailbox and left the scene. An investigation led deputies to Heather Road, where a 2019 GMC Sierra operated by a juvenile was located. Authorities said the teen apparently panicked after the collision and drove to the location of her mother to report the incident. No injuries were reported.

Later that afternoon, Deputy Beeler and other law enforcement personnel responded to Days Inn Drive in Kuttawa for a suspicious person complaint. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Billy M. Judkins, 59, of Lebanon, Tenn. He was charged with public intoxication - controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Judkins was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

On Monday, May 4, SRO Deputy Cory Jessup charged a 13-year-old female with fourth-degree assault after the student was reportedly seen assaulting another student and throwing the victim onto an asphalt and riprap rock area on school property. Authorities said the student continued the assault until school personnel intervened. Officials said it was the second physical incident involving the juvenile. The student was released to a parent or guardian pending review by the Court Designated Worker.

Also Monday, Sheriff Brent White arrested James A. Gilkey, 52, of Lamasco on two bench warrants from Union District Court for failure to pay fines and contempt of court related to a traffic case. Gilkey was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

On Wednesday, May 6, Deputy Josh Travis investigated a two-vehicle collision at a business in Kuttawa. Authorities said a 2025 Peterbilt semi-truck driven by Jessica J. McNac, 22, of Okmulgee, Okla., was turning in a parking lot when the driver misjudged clearance and struck a 2004 Peterbilt semi-truck driven