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State issues news release on ferry contract

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Following is a news release issued shortly after 12pm today by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. This week's Crittenden Press has further details on the contract negotiations. Get the full edition for more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE 

Negotiations Underway for Continuing 
Cave-In-Rock Ferry Service

Potential expiration of agreement
on July 1 could impact ferry service

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 10, 2026) – Team Kentucky and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) are committed to supporting the Ohio River Ferry Authority (Ferry Authority) and its mission to oversee the operations of the Cave-in-Rock Ferry, which serves as a vital transportation link between Kentucky and Illinois.

The two states have jointly funded this ferry service for years, including granting the Ohio River Ferry Authority a 13 percent increase in funding two years ago.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) remains in negotiations with the Ferry Authority but has yet to finalize a new agreement for financial support of the ferry operations. A new funding agreement with the Ohio River Ferry Authority must be made before July 1, 2026, to avoid the potential disruption to the Cave-in-Rock ferry service. Should a new agreement not be reached, and ferry service becomes affected, travelers should be prepared to use an alternate route between Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, and Crittenden County, Kentucky.

Cave-in-Rock Ferry Funding

The current state-funded agreement with the Ohio River Ferry Authority will expire on June 30, 2026. The Ferry Authority was created by the Crittenden County Fiscal Court to oversee the management and operation of the privately-owned ferry. The 16-hour-per-day, 7 day per week ferry service is equally funded by Kentucky and Illinois.

To prevent service disruption, KYTC officials are in discussions with the Ohio River Ferry Authority to renew the agreement. Since 2018, bi-state reimbursements to the Cave-in-Rock Ferry have more than doubled, from $804,000 to $1,878,060 for Fiscal Year 2026. During that same period, Kentucky’s other state-funded ferry operations have seen significantly smaller increases in operational costs. Two of those ferries, Dorena Hickman and Augusta, charge a fee in addition to receiving state funding support.

State operations budgets are declining over the next two years, but given the vital role that this transportation link serves between Kentucky and Illinois, KYTC is proposing a continuation of the ferry service at FY 2026 contract funding levels for Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028. By contrast, the Ohio River Ferry Authority is seeking a 47% increase in state funding support for no increase in services.

The states remain supportive of the Ohio River Ferry Authority and its mission to oversee operations of the Cave-in-Rock Ferry, but cannot afford to increase the level of state financial support for the ferry over the next two years.

The Cave-in-Rock Ferry carries about 300 vehicles per day at no cost to travelers. The shortest alternative drive between Cave-in-Rock and Marion would use the KY 56 Shawneetown Bridge and take about 35 minutes longer than a trip on the ferry.

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AREA ROADS closed for high water

UPDATE Blackburn Church Road will remain closed overnight at Piney Creek after this morning's flash flooding washed out part of the roadway. The closure extends from the Piney Creek bridge to the Blackburn Church building. Motorists are urged to use alternate routes and avoid the area until repairs can be made and the road is deemed safe for travel.

Also closed
State highway KY 855 North is closed in western Crittenden County between US 60 and Frances due to high water over the roadway. 

Also, state highway KY 902 is closed for the same reason at mile marker 5.

Lyon County Sheriff's Report

EDDYVILLE, Ky. – Lyon County Sheriff's Office reported several arrests and investigations during the first week of June.

On June 1, Sheriff Brent White arrested Joseph D. Bergman, 28, of Paducah on a Lyon Circuit Court failure-to-appear bench warrant. Bergman is charged with first-degree promoting contraband and second-degree persistent felony offender. He was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

On June 2, deputies served a Henderson County bench warrant on Amber W. Alexander, 41, of Owensboro for nonpayment of court costs, fees or fines. She is awaiting extradition to Henderson County.

On June 3, Sheriff White charged Nevaeh J. Thomas, 18, of Cadiz with complicity to intimidating a participant in the legal process. According to the sheriff's office, Thomas is accused of assisting Cameron Sanders, who is incarcerated in the Crittenden County Detention Center, in intimidating and harassing the victim and witnesses in Sanders' criminal assault case. The investigation was conducted by Deputy Bobby Beeler with assistance from Sheriff White.

On June 4, at approximately 8 p.m., sheriff's deputies responded to a disturbance at Lee S. Jones Park. Chief Deputy Sam Adams determined that William D. Russell, 37, of Kuttawa was involved in a verbal dispute that turned physical in the park parking lot. Russell left the scene before law enforcement arrived but later went to the sheriff's office and met with Adams. He was subsequently arrested and charged with fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) involving a minor injury. Russell was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

All charges are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Medicaid work requirements start Jan. 1

The federal government has released new Medicaid work requirement rules that could affect hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians enrolled through the state's Medicaid expansion program.

According to **Melissa Patrick of Kentucky Health News**, the new rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requires certain able-bodied adults ages 19 to 64 to complete at least 80 hours a month of work, education, job training or community service to remain eligible for coverage. The requirements must be implemented by Jan. 1 under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The rule applies to adults covered through the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion, which serves Kentuckians with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Kentucky currently has about 1.3 million Medicaid recipients, including roughly 440,000 adults enrolled through the expansion program.

Exemptions include pregnant and postpartum women, people with disabilities or serious medical conditions, American Indians and Alaska Natives, parents and caregivers of young children, and individuals already meeting work requirements through SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs.

Supporters say the policy encourages work and self-sufficiency while reducing waste and fraud. Critics argue that similar requirements in other states caused eligible people to lose coverage because of paperwork and reporting requirements without increasing employment rates.

Priscilla Easterling of Kentucky Voices for Health warned the new rules, combined with more frequent eligibility reviews and additional documentation requirements, could cause eligible Kentuckians to lose coverage simply because they miss notices or cannot complete the required paperwork on time.

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Marion's Crider PAS partners with Princeton Art Guild

PRINCETON, Ky. – The Princeton Art Guild is expanding its arts programming through a new partnership with Crider Performing Arts Studios that will bring music lessons and classes to Princeton beginning this summer.

The collaboration establishes a Princeton campus for Crider Performing Arts Studios at the Art Guild, providing private instruction and group classes for students of all ages and skill levels.

Initial offerings will include guitar, drums, voice, violin, piano and brass instruction, with plans to expand into additional instruments and class-based programs as the partnership grows.

The program will officially begin with a series of summer group music classes starting June 15. Organizers said the classes are intended to provide an affordable entry point into music education, with a discounted introductory rate of $20 per class. Private lessons also will be available based on instructor availability.

Joe Duncan, executive director of the Princeton Art Guild, said the initiative is part of a broader effort to make the Guild a place where community members actively participate in the arts.

“When we talk about the arts, we're really talking about the health and identity of a community,” Duncan said. “Music is a huge part of how people and communities connect, and we want the Guild to be a place where that can happen in a real, lasting way.”

The program will be supported through the Guild's Settle Family Music Fund, which was established to

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Today, we visit with ferry owner Lonnie Lewis

Hogrock is June 10-14

The 30th annual Hogrock River Rally will return to southern Illinois June 10-14, celebrating three decades of one of the region’s best-known motorcycle and music events. Traffic along routes through western Kentucky, particularly on KY 91 toward the ferry, is often heavy with bikers, campers and support vehicles.

Organizers are promoting the milestone event as the “Dirty 30,” featuring five days of live music, camping, vendors, biker activities, food and entertainment at the Hogrock Campground and Music Venue in Cave-In-Rock. The rally is expected to draw motorcycle enthusiasts from across the Midwest for what organizers describe as a weekend of nonstop music. Activities will include multiple music stages, tent and RV camping, cabin rentals, biker-friendly attractions, food vendors and special anniversary events commemorating 30 years of Hogrock history.

Summer student feeding program

Crittenden County Schools will again provide free summer meals for children through its Summer Meals Program, with weekly distribution sites scheduled across the county from June 8 through July 23.

Meals will be available each Tuesday at Crittenden County Elementary School from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additional pickup locations include the Mattoon Fire Department and Frances Fire Department from 11 to 11:15 a.m., and the Shady Grove Fire Department and Tolu Fire Department from noon to 12:15 p.m.

Children 18 and younger are eligible to receive meals. School officials said a child, parent or guardian must be present when meals are distributed. Participants will receive five breakfasts and five lunches at each pickup. The program is offered through the federally funded SUN Meals initiative. 

Coming up is Free Fishing Weekend

Kentucky residents and visitors can fish without a license during the state’s annual Free Fishing Weekend on June 6-7.

The event, sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, allows anglers of all ages to fish in public waters across the commonwealth without purchasing a fishing license or permit. All other fishing regulations, including size and creel limits, remain in effect, and permission is still required to fish in private waters.

The department encourages families and first-time anglers to take advantage of the opportunity, with communities across Kentucky hosting special fishing events throughout the weekend. Information on local events and fishing resources is available through the department’s website and Fish Boat KY mobile app.

Hurricane Camp Meeting all next week

The 138th Annual Hurricane Camp Meeting will be held June 8-14 at Hurricane Campground in northern Crittenden County, continuing a tradition that dates back more than a century.

Services are scheduled nightly at 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with meals served at 5:30 p.m. Sunday services will be at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., with a meal following the morning worship service.

Camp Meeting will feature pastors Matt Grimes, Danny Hinchee, Gary Hardesty, Charles Cook, Keith Wilcox and Steve Stone. Friday will be designated as Youth Night when day youth campers will lead much of the service.

Special music will be provided throughout the week by Kenny Tolley, Cutter & Cash and the Kentucky Grass, The Stone Family, youth campers and Hurricane Church.

The campground is located off KY 135 via Crittenden Springs Road and Hurricane Church Road. For more information, call 270-704-2591 or 270-704-0886.

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ROADS CLOSED FOR BRIDGE WORK

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advises motorists of ongoing bridge replacement projects affecting roads in Livingston, Caldwell and Crittenden counties.

In Livingston County, KY 866 (Paradise Road) is closed near Tiline and Iuka between KY 2232 (Sugar Creek Road) and Furnace Pond Road. The closure is expected to remain in place until late July, weather permitting.

A section of KY 654 in northern Crittenden County remains closed for a bridge replacement project between Mattoon and Tribune. The closure began Monday, June 1 at a bridge over Mattoon Creek southeast of U.S. 60 near Mattoon. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said the project includes construction of a new bridge at the site, which is expected to be completed by the end of August.

In Crittenden County, KY 506 remains closed near the Caldwell County line for a bridge replacement project. The project is expected to be completed this month.

Also, in Crittenden County, a bridge is out on Mexico Road, a county road in the View area.

Lyon County Sheriff Department Activity

Lyon County Sheriff Brent White reported several arrests, disturbances and traffic incidents during the final week of May.

On May 24 at approximately 8:46 p.m., Deputy Bobby Beeler conducted a traffic stop on a Kia Soul on KY 93 South. The driver, Amber L. Blick, 27, of Princeton, was charged with having one headlamp, operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license and possession of marijuana. She was cited to appear in Lyon District Court in June.

Later that night at approximately 11:24 p.m., deputies responded to a disturbance at a Kuttawa business. The Eddyville Police Department assisted because multiple people were involved. Deputy Beeler charged Joseph D. Nonwiler, 28, of Owensboro, with alcohol intoxication in a public place and second-degree disorderly conduct. He was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center. Tanner McFadden, 19, of Owensboro, was charged with possession of alcohol by a person age 18-20 and was cited to Lyon District Court. Eddyville police charged two additional individuals under age 21 with alcohol-related offenses.

On May 27 at approximately 4:18 p.m., Chief Deputy Sam Adams investigated a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of KY 93 South, KY 293 and KY 1055. According to the report, Justice Harvey, 18, of Eddyville, was driving a 2015 Dodge Challenger and pulled from a stop sign on KY 1055 into the path of a northbound 2011 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Nicholas D. Armer, 21, of Eddyville. The vehicles collided in the intersection. No injuries were reported.

On May 28 at approximately 1:25 a.m., Adams investigated a hit-and-run collision at a Kuttawa business. A parked 2026 Freightliner cab-over semi owned by Royal Trucking of West Point, Mississippi, was

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Gordon Guess, 89, dies

MARION, Ky. – Gordon Blue Guess, 89, of Marion, a longtime leader in the community, banking and sports development, died Saturday, just days before his 90th birthday.

Guess was widely known across western Kentucky for his decades of civic involvement and leadership. He served for many years as president of The Peoples Bank in Marion and played a key role in numerous community development projects and local initiatives.

A strong supporter of amateur baseball, Guess was among the founders of the Ohio Valley Collegiate Baseball League and served as president of the organization. He also organized the Marion Bobcats semi-professional baseball team and was later inducted into the Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport.

Family members said Guess passed away peacefully at home Saturday morning. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 5, at Myers Funeral Home in Marion. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at Marion Methodist Church, with the service time to be announced.

A complete obituary will appear in this week’s edition of The Crittenden Press.

Free Fun Day at Marion-CC Park

Faith Church in Salem will host a free “Family Fun Day in the Park” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Marion-Crittenden County Park on Lower Park Drive in Marion.

The event will include games, prizes, basketball and pickleball activities, along with a free lunch for those attending. For more information, text 844-226-9515.