Donkey Basketball at County Fair

Here's a short video from the Donkey Basketball Game at the Crittenden County Lions Club Fair Wednesday night. The fair continues through Saturday when the week's featured event, the annual demolition derby, will be held.

Bobcats' season over

Marion's baseball season came to an end Wednesday in a rain-shortened 4-3 loss to Tradewater.

The Bobcats dropped the second game in the best-of-three KIT League semi-finals like so many other contests on the year, by the slimmest of margins. After taking an early 2-0 lead over the Pirates, Marion fell behind 4-2 in the third inning on five consecutive hits off starter Dylan McCurry. 

As the tell-tale lightning and wind gusts that precede a summer thunderstorm threatened an early end to the playoff contest, the Bobcats began to rally. But with only one out and the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth, Marion was able to push only one run across the plate, leaving the tying run and hopes for extending the season only 90 feet away.

Home plate umpire Brian Thomas sent the teams to their respective dugouts after six complete due to the approaching lightning. Shortly after the hometown Bobcats covered the home plate area and pitcher's mound with tarps, the skies opened and drenched the field with a 30-minute downpour. Thomas called the game around 9:30 p.m., giving Tradewater its ticket to the KIT championship game to face Owensboro beginning Friday.

There was no protest by either team regarding the decision. 

Marion baseball fans now await a decision by the team's 20 investors as to whether the Bobcats will return in 2009 for their second season. Though General Manager Gordon Guess gave no indication the team would not return, he said nothing will be official until the investors vote on the matter later this year.

Bobcats drop first game to Pirates

Marion lost the first game of a best-of-three playoff series to Tradewater Tuesday, making Wednesday's game at Gordon B. Guess Field a must win for the Bobcats.

Tradewater won Monday 11-1, but Marion lost more than the game. Outfielder Dustin Kennon will not only miss the rest of the postseason for the Bobcats, but he will probably be out of baseball for some time with an injury sustained Monday when he collided with the right field fence.

According to Marion Manager Steve Fowler, Kennon suffered a shattered right hip in the collision with one of the 4x4 outfield posts at Riverside Park. The 22-year-old Memphis-area native hit the post attempting to make a play on a deep fly ball in the bottom of the first inning. There is no padding on the posts that hold up the fence at the park and no warning track to let players closing on a ball know of the nearing fence.

Fowler said Kennon was taken from the game to Regional Medical Center in Madisonville, where he was kept overnight.

Game 2 of the semi-final series will be played at 7:05 p.m., Wednesday in Marion. If the Bobcats win, the final game of the series will be played Thursday at Riverside Park.

Sights & Sounds from the fair

Crittenden County Lions Club Fair continues through Saturday this week. Tuesday was Family Night with plenty of excitement at the carnival for children of all ages. Here is a short video from Tuesday night.

11,700 acres up for sale

The largest privately owned block of property in the state of Kentucky is going on the market.

The Kimball International property in Crittenden and Union counties will likely be sold at auction later this fall. The company is selling 11,700 acres, which is well known for its coal reserves, timber and deer hunting. 

The land is currently leased for hunting by Game Trails, a nationally-known outfitter that is often seen on outdoors TV shows.

When Kimball bought the property from Alcoa in 1998, it was listed for $13 million. Land prices have more than doubled over the past 10 years.

For more on this big land sale, see this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press which will be on sale Wednesday afternoon.

Lanham Miss Crittenden County

Meredith Lanham, 17, was crowned Miss Crittenden County Monday night at Fohs Hall. The fairest of the fair pageant kicks off Crittenden County Lions Club Fair week. Lanham will serve as the honorary hostess for fair activities.

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for details on the fair queen and her court.

Bobcats advance in playoffs

The Marion Bobcats (20-28) won their first-ever postseason game Monday, eliminating Union City (26-24) from the KIT League playoffs with a 4-3 win at Union City.

Starter Joey Haston pitched six strong innings, but faltered in the seventh, allowing Union City to close a 3-0 deficit to tie the game.

"He had such a quick six, I thought I'd leave him in for the seventh and save my staff," Manager Steve Fowler said of his initial plan to pitch Haston, 1-2 with a 1.61 ERA in the regular season, for only six innings.

But Marion, as they have tended to do during the regular season, won the game with some late-inning drama.

"We had flawless execution in the ninth," Fowler said.

Jacob Martin led off the last frame with a walk and was moved to second on a sacrifice by Adam Enloe. Lucas Cramsey, who ended the season with a 25-game on-base streak, moved Martin to third, allowing Mitch McClay to score Martin on bloop hit. Closer Kyle Medley, with eight saves on the regular season, finished the game with a postseason save by throwing a perfect inning.

Chad Adcock, who pitched the eighth inning against the Greyhouds, earned the win.

"It's pretty big," the manager said of the first-year team's first playoff win.

Marion now advances to the second round of the playoffs, traveling to Tradewater (35-15) Tuesday for the first game of a best-of-three series against the league's best team. The second game of the series will be played at Gordon B. Guess Field in Marion. Game 3, if necessary, will return to Riverside Park in Dawson Springs.

"It's going to be an all-out war," Fowler said of the series. "They want us!"

The winner of the Marion-Tradewater series will advance to the championship to face the winner of the Owensboro-Fulton series, which also gets under way Tuesday. Owensboro (27-20) beat Farmington (8-38) Monday 6-2 to advance to the second round.

Marion beat Union City Monday for the seventh time this season. The Greyhounds are the only team against whom the Bobcats had a winning record in the regular season, 6-4.

Fowler's club faired almost as well against his old team, the Pirates. The Bobcats were 5-5 against Tradewater this season, including three consecutive wins against Tradewater to end the season series. Tuesday's playoff game should be a continuation of the hottest rivalry in the KIT League.

"We're either going to wreck their season, or ours is going to come to an end," Fowler said after Monday's playoff win.

Fowler has not yet decided on his starter for Game 1 of the Tradewater series, but the Pirates have the league's top two winning pitcher in George Hebert (8-0) and Don Pugliese (7-0). The game at Dawson Springs will start at 7:05 p.m.

Game 2 of the Marion-Tradewater series will be at Gordon B. Guess Field in Marion, with a 7:05 p.m., start time.

New principal

Just one week before classes return to session in Crittenden County, the high school has a new principal.

Todd Merrick has been named as Karen Nasseri's successor at the school, two months after Nasseri took a position as special education coordinator for the district. Merrick has more than two decades in education, first arriving in Crittenden County in 1990 as a high school English instructor. He has also served the district as consultant for the state board of education and assistant principal at the elementary school for two years. Last year, Merrick served as principal of the elementary school in his native Caldwell County.

"I'm glad to have the opportunity to come back to the district," Merrick said Monday.
Merrick expects to name an assistance principal later this week.

For more information about the new principal, stay tuned for this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press which will be on newsstands Wednesday afternoon.

Desserts galore

Dozens of dessert lovers were in heaven Thursday at the Marion Woman's Club's fundraiser, Chocolate Heaven. Club members created an array of chocolate treats from simple covered peanuts to elaborate cakes to satisfy the sweet tooth of visitors. For a cover charge that goes toward funding Sam Koltinsky's documentary on Crittenden County, visitors could sample the many platters of desserts. So far, $32,000 of the $50,000 goal for the documentary has been raised. The film is expected to be completed and for sale by Christmas of this year.

Juvenile found

That 16-year-old police believe was connected with car thefts in the area was found Saturday night on the West Kentucky Parkway. He was stopped by a state trooper for a traffic violation while driving a Ford pick-up. State police found that the truck belonged to an 80-year-old man from Elizabethtown. The juvenile was taken into custody and later released to his parents. Because he is a juvenile, his name and the charges against him were not released by police.

Marion police believe the juvenile was with 18-year-old Jackie Lee Beasley last week when they allegedly stole a pickup truck from Conrad's parking lot. They are also suspected in other car thefts in Princeton and elsewhere in Kentucky. (see related blog below).

Fair all this week

It's fair week in Crittenden County. Here's the schedule of events:

Monday, Beauty Pageant at Fohs Hall and Horse Show at fairgrounds

Tuesday Family Night and Talent Show at fairgrounds
Wednesday Donkey Basketball at fairgrounds
Thursday Truck and Tractor Pulls at fairgrounds

Friday Antique and Lawn Tractor Pulls at fairgrounds
Saturday Demolition Derby at fairgrounds

Family night will be $2 per person at the gate with $3 off arm bands.

Donkey Basketball will be a special gate price of $5 per person.

All other events will have a $8 gate for ages 16-up; $5 for ages 6-15; and 5-under is free.

All events begin at 7 p.m., and the carnival opens at 6 p.m.

 

Auto theft suspect found

Jackie Lee Beasley, 18, of Marion was arrested in Richmond, Ky., Friday after allegedly stealing a vehicle from the Wendy's restaurant there.

Beasley is suspected of taking another vehicle in Marion earlier this week. He is a suspect in the theft of a black Ford Ranger pickup from Conrad's parking lot Monday.

Marion Police Chief Ray O'Neal said he believes Beasley and a juvenile took the black truck from Marion then went to Princeton where they stole another vehicle. He said Beasley told Richmond authorities that the black truck taken from the grocery store parking lot in Marion was abandoned near Dawson Springs. As of Friday, it had still not been recovered.

O'Neal said police believe Beasley ran out of gas in the vehicle taken from Princeton. It was found abandoned on the Purchase Parkway. Authorities don't know how Beasley got from there to Richmond.

A vehicle was reported stolen in Richmond Friday and police found Beasley in it a short time later. He was alone.

Beasley was lodged in the Richmond Jail.

O'Neal said the juvenile believed to have been with him was still missing as of Friday night.

Call for blood

Despite recent efforts to boost the blood supply, blood levels remain low in the Tennessee Valley Region, which includes western Kentucky. There is less than a 24-hour supply of all blood types combined, with even lower levels of specific blood types.

Blood types O+, O-, A- and B- have fallen below a 12-hour supply, or the amount requested by hospitals in a 12-hour period.

Continuing to operate at such low blood levels could make it difficult to meet patient need at regional medical centers.

“We are this region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center. Because we treat the very sickest of accident victims, our population of critically injured patients consumes a tremendous amount of blood and blood products. In fact, just one of these patients could consume our entire supply of available blood in less than 12 hours. This is why it’s so important for people to donate blood and donate it now,” said Bryan Cotton, M.D., a Vanderbilt Medical Center Trauma surgeon. “The blood they donate could save the life of a friend, neighbor or even a family member.”

“When blood levels reach the critical stage, we run the risk of having to cancel or postpone surgeries. I encourage all eligible blood donors to make an appointment to give blood to the American Red Cross so we can continue to meet the needs of our patients,” says James Beattie, M.D., Medical Director of the Clinical Laboratory, at The Medical Center in Bowling Green, Ky.

Blood Drive Center
The Paducah Donor Center located at 4635 Falconcrest Drive is extending hours:
Thursday, July 24 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, July 25 – 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 27 – 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Health Fair

Marion Police Officer Bobby West fingerprints Dillan West, his nephew, Thursday as part of a child identification kit during a community health and safety fair at Marion Commons.

The police department inked and blotted more than 500 tiny fingers at its booth aimed at giving families a jump on finding a child in the event the child comes up missing. "Basically, it helps us get a jump on things instead of having to sit down (with the family) and gather this information," Officer West said of the ID kit. 

The procedure gives parents not only a record of fingerprints, but also a comprehensive list of information that can be handed over police in order to help to locate a missing child. For parents who missed the City of Marion and Crittenden Health Systems-sponsored fair, arrangements can be made with the Marion Police Department or Crittenden County Sheriff's Department to have their child fingerprinted for the information kit.

Accident with injuries

UPDATE: Names released
Five people were injured, but none seem too seriously hurt, in a two-vehicle accident involving a van and Mustang near Moore Hill on U.S. 60 West about 12:30 p.m., Wednesday.

Rescue squad and ambulance crews help take four children and at least one adult to the hospital. 

The names of victims were:

Derrick Walton, 14 of Marion 

Dennis Holloman, 9, of Fredonia

Shy Anne Smith, 5, of Marion

Summer Holloman, 8, of Salem

Arleta F. Davidson, 57, of St. James, Mo.

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate

Some of the community's greatest dessert architects and engineers will be making available their delicious designs on Thursday evening at the Woman's Club Building in Marion.

The event is billed as "Heavenly Chocolate, a delightful, delectable, delicious chocolate buffet" to help raise funds for an ongoing community documentary.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Woman's Club at 127 East Carlisle Street between 7-9 p.m., for some relaxing fellowship and a dessert bar that will be stocked by some of the community's top cooks, including cookbook author Ethel Tucker.

Casual attaire is suggested for the "come and go" dessert buffet, said Tucker, author of "From Pilot Knob to Main Street."

A plethora of chocolate dishes will certainly attract a large crowd and the sponsors hope to raise money by charging a $5 per person fee.

Tucker said that the money will go toward Crittenden County Documentary film which is currently in production and will be part of a series called My Kentucky Home. Visitors to the buffet are encouraged to bring along photographs, documents and memorabilia which will be considered as part of the documentary to record the community's history.

"We hope you will plan this relaxed evening with your friends and family while supporting this very meaningful project for our community," Tucker said.

The chocolate buffet is being sponsored by the Fohs Hall Documentary Committee, the Crittenden County HIstorical Society and the Woman's Club of Marion.

For more information, contact Tucker at 965-4055 or Judy Winn at 965-3345.

Cumberland River nearly runs dry

UPDATE: Conserve Water Order extended to 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 23.

The water level on the Cumberland River reached alarmingly low levels Tuesday, creating a problem for the Crittenden-Livingston Water District. The Cumberland, from where the water plant at Pincknevyille draws its raw water, was a foot below the intake lines early Tuesday morning, according to Donnie Beavers, district superintendent.

Beavers said it appears that an increased drawdown on the Ohio River at Dam 52 near Brookport, Ill., caused the problem.

"The Cumberland River was about six feet below summer pool," Beavers said. "It was at 296 feet above sea level at Pinckneyville."

The water district issued a conserve water order Tuesday, which was broadcast on Paducah's television station. The water level problem and conserve order were expected to be lifted Tuesday night about 6 p.m., after the Corps of Engineers releases enough water from Lake Barkley to solve the problem.

"There was shoreline on the Cumberland River exposed that hadn't been exposed in 40 years," Beavers said. "People around Dycusburg told me they had never seen it that low."

Golf carts tabled

Marion City Council has tabled a proposal to allow golf carts on city streets. The council voted 4-1 Monday to table the idea, which in all likelihood means the matter is dead. Unless it is revived by a majority vote at the next regular meeting, the current proposal will die.

Councilman Jason Hatfield, who initiated the plan last month, was the only member supporting the idea of allowing golf carts on city streets. The proposal would have allowed them on streets only during daylight hours, by a licensed driver and other restrictions would have applied, including liability insurance on the vehicle.

Fairest of the Fair

Nine young ladies have registered to via for the title of Miss Crittenden County during the annual Lions Club Fair pageant Monday at Fohs Hall. 

Contestants are (front from left) Talley Nix, 16; Lashea Loveless, 16; Lacey Etheridge, 18; (back) Samantha Peek, 19; Lonna Starnes, 17; Layton Maxfield, 16; Meredith Lanham, 17; and Katie Head, 17. Rachel Cook, 16, is not pictured. 

The deadline to enter the fair pageant is 4 p.m., Sunday when practice will be held at Fohs Hall. Anyone wishing to enter may attend that practice session or call 965-4216 or 875-8276.

Stolen SUV found

LATEST UPDATE: The blue Ford Expedition stolen from Kara Hatfield's driveway Sunday afternoon has been found on a side road between Caldwell County High School and Wal-Mart in Princeton.

First reports were that the vehicle was undamaged. Police are going to have it towed back to Marion and processed for evidence. 

Obituaries Update

Betty Jean Owen, 78, of Marion died at 8 a.m., July 18, 2008 at her residence. Services are at Boyd Funeral Home in Salem.

William "Bill" Holloman, 70, of Kuttawa died at 3:29 p.m. Tuesday July 15, 2008 in Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. Survivors include a son, Daniel McKinzie of Marion; and one brother, Robert Holloman of Marion.

Emma Lou McDowell, 91, of Burna died at 2:05 p.m. Thursday July 17, 2008 at Salem Springlake Health and Rehab Center. Boyd Funeral Home in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Vehicle stolen

NEWS ALERT (UPDATED 11 a.m.): Police in Marion are investigating the discovery of a stolen car found at Pamida parking lot Sunday night and the report of another vehicle being stolen from a residence on West Carlisle Street Sunday afternoon. Kara Hatfield of Marion reported Sunday that her blue Ford Expedition was missing from in front of her home on East Carlisle. A few hours later a red GEO was found at Pamida. It had been stolen from Wal-Mart parking lot in Princeton.

City Police Chief Ray O'Neal does not think these cases are related to the escaped inmate from the Fredonia Farm Center. James A. Allgood walked away from a work release program at Lyon County High School Friday and is already believed to have stolen two other vehicles in the area. O'Neal said state police believe Allgood was seen in Breckinridge County Sunday. He is believed driving a green Mercury Tracer.

The chief said the two cases in Marion may not even be connected. Right now there is no evidence to indicate that they are related other than timing. O'Neal said Hatfield's SUV, bearing a front license plate reading Salty Dog, was seen heading toward Fredonia Sunday afternoon. A neighbor told police that two men pulled up near the Hatfield vehicle in another car. One jumped and took the SUV, she told policeman George Foster.

Anyone with information should call the Marion Police Department at 965-3500.

Blood drive at park

The Crittenden County U-10 Pink Rockets soccer team is raising money and helping cure an area shortage in blood.

The team in sponsoring a blood drive Tuesday, July 22 from 11 a.m., to 6 p.m., at the Marion-Crittenden County Park. The blood mobile will be at the pavilion closest to the ball fields.

All donors will receive a free T-shirt, cholesterol check and a $5 donation will be made to the Pink Rockets for every pint of blood collected.

To be eligible donors must be 17 years old, or 16 with parent consent and weigh at least 110 pounds. Remember to eat well before donating.

The American Red Cross announced about 10 days ago that the region is desperately short on blood supplies.

Conrad's Movie Machine

Looking for a way to beat the hot summer heat? Try a cool afternoon watching your favorite movie. Let Conrad's Food Store in Marion provide you with the latest releases of popular movies.

Conrad's Movie  Machine offers rentals for $1.99 the first night and $1.50 all subsequent night. Or get an all-you-can-view movie pass for just $14.95 a month (30 days). The pass gives you unlimited rentals for up to two movies at a time.

The Move Machine has 160 different titles with 80 percent of its inventory being new releases.

Keep up with weekly new releases at Conrad's Movie Machine online.

Escapee with new vehicle

Kentucky State Police is requesting that all citizens observe for a stolen vehicle that was stolen in the same area as West Kentucky Correctional Center escapee James Allgood. 

Allgood escaped custody on July 17, 2008. The vehicle is a 1995 Mercury Tracer green in color and has some missing hub caps, broken outside left mirror, and has no muffler. This vehicle may have been taken by the escapee and the operator should be considered armed and dangerous. 

If anyone has contact with this vehicle they are urged to contact Kentucky State Police at 1-800-222-5555 or their local police agency. Kentucky State Police would also like to remind citizen to keep their vehicles locked and secure the keys.

Escapee Latest Update

LATEST UPDATE: Authorities are still looking for escapee James A. Allgood this morning in Crittenden and Lyon counties. Allgood escaped from the Fredonia Farm Center Thursday.

Police believe he stole a vehicle from Lyon County High School parking lot. The pickup truck was owned by Wesley Belt, son of Danny and Carolyn Belt of Marion. Belt told authorities that he had a handgun in the truck. Belt is a school teacher at Lyon County, but was not working at the time. He had stopped momentarily at the school office to drop off some paperwork. 

In the brief period that he was inside, Allgood made off with his truck. Allgood was helping a custodian change light bulbs and asked to go to the restroom. That's when he went out the front door and took Belt's truck.

The truck was later found near the Crittenden and Lyon County line, but the 9mm semi-automatic handgun was missing. The vehicle's Onstar program allowed authorities to find it in a soybean field.

Crittenden County deputies assisted with a road check in southern Crittenden County Thursday night and are planning this morning to search the area with dogs where the truck was abandoned.

18-year-old faces charges

An 18-year-old former Crittenden County man faces a variety of charges after leading state troopers on a highway chase that started shortly before 7:30 p.m., Thursday in Union County and ended in Crittenden. 

David Tabor, 18, now of Waverly, is charged with wanton endangerment, fleeing and evading police, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicants and possession of marijuana. He was also charged by the Union County Sheriff’s Department for fleeing and evading and receiving stolen property. Tabor was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

It is the second time this year that Tabor has led police on a such a chase. He is currently under indictment in Crittenden County for a Feb. 7 incident involving Marion police and Crittenden deputies. For that February incident Tabor was indicted on four counts of first-degree fleeing or evading police; second-degree fleeing or evading police; third-degree criminal mischief, improper start from a parked position; DUI; two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment; two counts of reckless driving; resisting arrest; and possession of a radio that sends and receives police messages. He was out of jail on bond when Thursday's events took place.

The latest pursuit began early Thursday evening when Kentucky State Police Post 16 at Henderson contacted Post 2 at Madisvonille regarding a police chase that was headed into Crittenden County. The pursuit had been initiated by the Union County Sheriff’s Department after a deputy identified the vehicle as one that had been reported stolen. 

The vehicle fled from the deputy from Union County into Crittenden County on Bells Mine Road. At the intersection of Bells Mine Road and KY 654, the fleeing vehicle disregarded the stop sign and nearly collided with Trooper Matthew Foster's cruiser. After taking evasive actions to avoid the collision, Trooper Foster became the lead vehicle in the pursuit.

Trooper Foster chased the vehicle for approximately two-tenths of a mile until it turned onto KY 1901. While making the turn, Tabor's vehicle left the right side of the roadway. Tabor then exited the vehicle and began to run through a field in an attempt to avoid apprehension. He was pursued by Trooper Foster and troopers William Braden and Seth Payne, who had joined the vehicle pursuit. Tabor was quickly caught and taken into custody without further incident.

It is not clear whether the incident had anything to do with the Little Sturgis Rally being held in Union County this week.

Ky. 91 North work resumes Monday

The nearly 1,000 drivers who travel each day along Ky. 91 just west of Marion will find traffic restrictions again next week.
According to Keith Todd, spokesman for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, a contractor plans to resume work on installation of new railings for two bridges over Crooked Creek, as well as the approaches to each span. The road will not likely be closed, but could be restricted to one lane at times.
Todd, who lives in Marion, said the work is scheduled to begin early Monday morning and should be completed by next Friday, weather permitting.
"This last week the contractor had to pull off this project to install guardrails at another location," Todd said.
The new guardrails on Ky. 91 North will be placed at the Crooked Creek Bridge at the Marion's western limit and a mile further north along a bridge near the junction of Freedom Church Road. Ky. 91 North links to Ill. 1 in Cave in Rock via the Ohio River Ferry.
Motorists who regularly travel Ky. 91 ... Crittenden County should continue to be alert for equipment, flaggers, and construction personnel on the roadway at the west edge of Marion," Todd warned.

Escapee considered dangerous

An escapee from a Fredonia lock-up is still being sought at this hour and is considered armed and dangerous.

James A. Allgood walked away from a work detail in Lyon County earlier today is believe to be in possession of a gun stolen along with a car. Allgood is a white male born on Sept. 1, 1973. He is 5-11 and weighs approximately 175 lbs. with light brown hair and a tattoo on his left hand. He was last seen wearing khaki pants, a white shirt and white tennis shoes.

Kentucky State Police and Eddyville Police Department responded to a stolen vehicle complaint in Eddyville today at 1:54 p.m. While responding it was discovered that an inmate from the Western Kentucky Correctional Complex had walked away from a work detail at a Lyon County school and possibly stole the vehicle. The vehicle was located in a field in Lyon County near Sunnyside Loop. The owner advised that a handgun was missing from the vehicle. 

Authorities are still looking for the escapee.

Anyone with any information contact Kentucky State Police Mayfield 1-800-222-5555 or dial 911. KSP is requesting all citizens to keep their doors locked to residences, buildings, and all vehicles. Additional information will follow as soon as it becomes available.

Little Sturgis Bike Rally

The Little Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicks off Thursday, July 17 and runs
through Sunday, July 20 in Sturgis, Kentucky. Last year the event attracked 17,000
motorcycle enthusiasts. The Kentucky Transportation cabinet is reminding area motorists to be alert for a huge increase in the number of motorcycles on area highways
heading to and from the event.

Bikers attending the four day event at the Union County Fairgrounds often take to
area backroads. A number of early arrivals have already markedly increased motorcycle traffic in the Sturgis and Union County area this week.

Motorists across the region are advised to use extra caution due to the increased number of motorcycles traveling area highways. Drivers should also be
alert for heavy traffic along U.S. 60 through Union County. Organizers have established
a traffic control plan to facilitate traffic getting into and out of the. fairgrounds.

For information go to Little Sturgis Rally Online.

Press in living color

The Crittenden Press is publishing this week’s newspaper with full color photographs and artwork because of a scheduling issue with its normal black and white press operator.

The use of color will be only temporary – a one-week deal, said Publisher Chris Evans.

“The Crittenden Press is one of only a few independent newspapers that continues publishing its newspaper on-site at its own printing plant,” Evans explained. “This week, however, our pressroom was shut down for summer vacation so we had the newspaper out-sourced to another printer which provides color offset printing.”

The Press hopes its readers enjoy the color photographs in this issue and it appreciates the advertisers who took the plunge to be among the first to run full-color in The Crittenden Press.

Your black and white newspaper will be back to normal next week so we hope you enjoy the color edition.

Fair Preview

This week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press will feature the annual Crittenden County Lions Club Fair Guide.

The guide is full of fair information and advertisement from fair catalog sponsors:

Here is a glimpse at some of the information featured in this week's fair guide, available on newsstands Wednesday afternoon:

Fair Week July 28 through Aug. 2
Date   Event   Contact
7/28 - Beauty Pageant,  Michelle Reddick 270-875-8276
 7/28 - 4-H Horse Show, Corey Payne 270-965-5236
 7/29 - Family Night/Talent Show, Chris O'Leary 270-704-1869/965-0848
 7/30 - Donkey Basketball, Ronnie Heady 270-704-2038
 7/31 - Truck Pull/Tractor Pulls, Bill Fuller 270-965-2923, Shelby Belt 270-871-2105
 8/1 - Antique/Lawn Tractor Pulls, Shelby Belt 270-871-2105
 8/2 - Demolition Derby,  Jared Belt 270-871-4502

 The beauty pageant will be held at Fohs Hall and the horse show will
be at the Fairgrounds.  The horse show will have a special gate of
$2 per person.  Family night will be a special $2.00 per person
gate with $3 off arm bands thanks to the sponsorship of Farmer's
Bank and Trust Marion and Conrad's Food Store Marion.  Donkey
Basketball will be a special gate price of $5 per person and will
have audience participation events incorporated in the show.  All
other events will have a $8.00 gate ages 16 and up $5 gate for ages
6-15 and all week age 5 and under will be free. The carnival
contractor is Playland Entertainment which was here last year for the
first time.  Upon their return this year they will have a variety of
rides and games.  This years rides will differ from those last year
which should be added excitement for those interest in the rides.  One
advantage for the Lion's club to contract with Playland Entertainment
was the number of rides available for our fair and the fact that they
could offer different rides from year to year.

 All events throughout the week will begin at 7 p.m., and the midway
will open at 6 p.m., pending weather and day to day decisions.  The
Lion's club is looking forward to a great week of fair activities and
shows and certainly hope the community and surrounding area come out
and support all the events of the week.  Anyone interested in the
livestock shows, crops, garden, and craft contests should refer to the
fair catalog for times and schedules.  All such activities can be
confirmed with the County Extension office at 270-965-5236.

'Anything... except common sense'

Wildlife officers have arrested 10 Kentucky serpent traders – mostly in eastern Kentucky – and confiscated more than 100 rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins and cobras, according to the Associated Press.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Director of Law Enforcement Col. Bob Milligan told the AP that it was unclear whether the snakes were intended for Appalachian churches where handling serpents is a religious rite or whether they were destined to become exotic pets in homes.

"It is disturbing to me that individuals would keep such dangerous wildlife in their homes and in neighborhoods where they
put their families, visitors and neighbors as such high risk,'' Milligan said.

Wildlife officers made the arrests late last week after a nearly two-year undercover investigation into Kentucky's snake
trade. Those arrested were charged with illegally possessing, importing, buying or selling reptiles.

The snakes, plus one alligator, were turned over to the Kentucky Reptile Zoo at Slade.

The AP reported that undercover officers purchased more than 200 illegal reptiles during the investigation, some of which were advertised for sale on Web sites. One such Web site lists copperheads for $50 each. Cobras for $450.

"You can purchase anything off the Internet except common sense,'' Harrison said. ``A venomous snake isn't a pet. You don't
play with it. If you do, you're an idiot.''

Most of the people arrested were in Appalachian counties. They were dealing in a variety of snakes, including the gaboon viper and puff adder, both highly venomous. Officers confiscated 200 reptiles, including 125 snakes.

(The inset photo is the cover of a book Serpents and Humans by Edwin E. Ott.)

WPSD in town

A television news crew from Paducah's WPSD-TV Channel 6 was in Marion Monday working on a story about the city's proposed new ordinance that would allow golf carts on some city streets.

Here, WPSD's Todd Faulker and a cameraman visit with Marion resident Emily Shelby, who commonly drives her cart in town.

11 sentence in federal court

Eleven individuals, mostly from Marion and the surrounding area, have been sentenced in U.S. Federal Court for their roles in what authorities say was a methamphetamine drug ring.

There is no parole for federal inmates. Here is a list of those sentenced over the past couple of weeks in U.S. District Court:

•Timothy Binkley, 36, (pictured) formerly of Marion was sentenced to 10 years.
•Russell Hunt, 47, of Henderson, formerly of Marion, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months.
•Stanley Wade Hopkins, 35, of Marion was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months.
•Kimberly Ann Cowsert, 29, of Marion was sentenced to nine years and two months.
•Randy Marcel Cowsert, 37, of Marion was sentenced to eight years and four months.
•Ollie Peek, 53, of Marion was sentenced to seven years and three months.
•Michael Elliot Towery, 38, of Creswell was sentenced to seven years and three months.
•Stephanie Beth Holloman, 28, of Salem was sentenced to six years and six months.
•Thomas Ervin Dawes, 46, of Calvert City was sentenced to five years and 10 months.
•Michael D. Loveless, 36, of Salem was sentenced to five years 10 months.
•Riley Marie Baucum, 22, of Paducah was sentenced to five years.

Additionally, co-defendant Robert Andrew Topp of Shady Grove will be sentenced on July 29. Co-defendant Troy Douglas Fox of Marion died on February 17.

For details on this breaking news story, see this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, which will be on sale at newsstands Wednesday afternoon.

Eagle sightings

More and more people are telling us about seeing bald eagles in Crittenden County. Jerri Beavers says a pair of eagles are hanging around their large lake just west of town on U.S. 60.

Last Friday morning, I saw an eagle perched on a fence post overlooking Houston Peek's pond in the Caldwell Springs community. See video of that bald eagle in flight, leaving its perch (below) or at The Press Online's You Tube Channel.

Whitfield addresses lake drawdown

U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield is planning to hold a stakeholder meeting next month to discuss extending the summer pool water levels at Lake Barkley. The dialogue will include representatives of the community, area businesses, property owners, sportsmen, conservationists and the Army Corps of Engineers.

“Lake Barkley is a critical part of western Kentucky - bringing in valuable tourism dollars to the economy, providing numerous jobs throughout the region and serving as a treasured vacation spot for thousands,” Whitfield said. “It is critical that all interested parties come together to determine the feasible and appropriate pool levels that best serve the community’s needs - without compromising safety.”

Whitfield will host a meeting at Lake Barkley, tentatively in late August, to try to reach a consensus on when summer water levels will be reduced to winter pool levels at the popular recreation site. Participants will be invited to tour the lake before beginning discussions on various proposals regarding when, and by how much, lake levels will be dropped. A final compromise proposal will be drafted at the stakeholders meeting and submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers to begin an environmental assessment. Any eventual adjustment will require either regulatory approval by the Corps or federal legislation.

Each year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins its drawdown of Lake Barkley in early-July when traffic on the water is at its peak. Lake Barkley is a relatively shallow body of water filled with a number of obstructions, including tree stumps, road beds and old house foundations. These obstructions factor into a number of boating accidents as the lake gets shallower each summer and have played a role in fatalities over the years.

Recreation at Lake Barkley also generates millions of dollars of economic activity throughout the year, but the worsening problem of lower lake levels has seriously impacted business in the region. Many community leaders believe that maintaining summer pool levels under normal weather conditions through the peak summer recreation months would extend the recreation season on Lake Barkley and strengthen tourism in western Kentucky while also improving boating safety.

Movie releases

Conrad's Food Store's new movie releases available this week from its Move Machine include the following:

Step Up 2 The Streets
Shutter
The Bank Job
College Road Trip

More on Currin connection

A judge has ruled that any connection between a murder suspect and State Police Lt. Brent White or other law enforcement or jail officials at the Crittenden County Detention Center is a moot point. Lawyers for Tamera Caldwell (accused of killing Jessica Currin, a Mayfield woman in 2000) wanted charges thrown out because White or some other deputy at the jail spoke to Caldwell about the case. Caldwell is being held in the Crittenden County Jail. The judge denied the motion and set the case for trial in Clinton, Ky.

The Courier-Journal reported on the case last week, but some of the details appear to have been misconstrued. Read the article here.

White and others are under a court gag order and cannot talk about the case.

Booster seat law starts Tuesday

The new child booster seat law that will go into effect Tuesday, July 15, 2008. Parents in Kentucky will be required to take new measures to protect their children in the car. Starting next week, if your child is under seven years of age and is between 40 and 50 inches tall, he or she will have to ride in a booster seat. The new requirements are part of KRS 189.125, which sets forth guidelines for child safety seats, booster seats and seat belts. Pamida in Marion probably carries boosters seats. If not Wal-Mart does and here's a link to take a look at one type of seat and some pricing.

Captain Tim Lucas, Commander of the KSP Highway Safety Branch advised that the new law will be phased in over the next year.

“On July 15th, law enforcement will begin issuing courtesy warnings to those who do not have their children in booster seats. Courtesy warnings will be issued through June 30, 2009. After that date, violators will be required to pay a fine of $30,” said Lucas.

“Any person who has not been previously charged with a booster seat violation can have the charge dismissed by providing proof that they have acquired a booster seat for the child,” added Lucas.

Four senators sponsored the booster seat bill and they included Tom Buford, Walter Blevins, Jr., Jerry Rhoads and Dorsey Ridley (who represents Crittenden County). KSP strongly supported this bill as it passed through the legislative process.

“More children die from motor vehicle crashes than from any single disease. More children in the United States are killed or crippled in car crashes than from any other cause of injury,” said Lucas. “Our goal is to save lives – and this law will better protect the children of the Commonwealth.”

Police will be able to judge whether you have the seats installed in your vehicle simply by looking at your car windows, and judging if your child is sitting high enough to see outside.

Sharon Rengers, R.N., works for the Children’s Hospital Foundation Office of Child Advocacy at Kosair Children’s Hospital and is also a Certified Passenger Safety (CPS) instructor. She has hundreds of KSP troopers and local law enforcement officers across the state in proper child seat installation and placement. More importantly, she has been a vocal advocate for improved child car seat legislation.

“The booster seat bill is a step in the right direction in making sure that children of all ages are protected while riding in vehicles,” said Rengers. “We are happy that this legislation adds protective measures for older children not previously included in the child passenger safety laws.”

Rengers offered some booster seat safety tips for parents:

· Your child should use a car seat with a harness for as long as possible, until at least age 4 following the weight/height limits of your seat.

· Use the back seat for children under age 13. It is safer with or without airbags. The center of the back seat is safest; however a child in a booster MUST have a lap/shoulder belt. NEVER use just a lap belt.

· If your car has no shoulder belts in the back seat, a different safety device can be used (vest or harnesses is available).

· Booster seats with shields are never recommended. Remove the shield and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

· Always use your seat belt. Your child learns from what you do. Make sure everyone (grandparents, friends, older children) in the car buckles up.

For more information on vehicle passenger safety or to inquire about free fact sheets on a variety of health and safety subjects, call (502) 629-KIDS or 1-800-852-1770.

# # #

Booster seat law starts Tuesday

The new child booster seat law that will go into effect Tuesday, July 15, 2008. Parents in Kentucky will be required to take new measures to protect their children in the car. Starting next week, if your child is under seven years of age and is between forty and fifty inches tall, he or she will have to ride in a booster seat. The new requirements are part of KRS 189.125, which sets forth guidelines for child safety seats, booster seats and seat belts.

Captain Tim Lucas, Commander of the KSP Highway Safety Branch advised that the new law will be phased in over the next year.

“On July 15th, law enforcement will begin issuing courtesy warnings to those who do not have their children in booster seats. Courtesy warnings will be issued through June 30, 2009. After that date, violators will be required to pay a fine of $30,” said Lucas.

“Any person who has not been previously charged with a booster seat violation can have the charge dismissed by providing proof that they have acquired a booster seat for the child,” added Lucas.

Four senators sponsored the booster seat bill and they included Tom Buford, Walter Blevins, Jr., Jerry Rhoads and Dorsey Ridley. KSP strongly supported this bill as it passed through the legislative process.

“More children die from motor vehicle crashes than from any single disease. More children in the United States are killed or crippled in car crashes than from any other cause of injury,” said Lucas. “Our goal is to save lives – and this law will better protect the children of the Commonwealth.”

Police will be able to judge whether you have the seats installed in your vehicle simply by looking at your car windows, and judging if your child is sitting high enough to see outside.

Sharon Rengers, R.N., works for the Children’s Hospital Foundation Office of Child Advocacy at Kosair Children’s Hospital and is also a Certified Passenger Safety (CPS) instructor. She has hundreds of KSP troopers and local law enforcement officers across the state in proper child seat installation and placement. More importantly, she has been a vocal advocate for improved child car seat legislation.

“The booster seat bill is a step in the right direction in making sure that children of all ages are protected while riding in vehicles,” said Rengers. “We are happy that this legislation adds protective measures for older children not previously included in the child passenger safety laws.”

Rengers offered some booster seat safety tips for parents:

· Your child should use a car seat with a harness for as long as possible, until at least age 4 following the weight/height limits of your seat.

· Use the back seat for children under age 13. It is safer with or without airbags. The center of the back seat is safest; however a child in a booster MUST have a lap/shoulder belt. NEVER use just a lap belt.

· If your car has no shoulder belts in the back seat, a different safety device can be used (vest or harnesses is available).

· Booster seats with shields are never recommended. Remove the shield and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

· Always use your seat belt. Your child learns from what you do. Make sure everyone (grandparents, friends, older children) in the car buckles up.

For more information on vehicle passenger safety or to inquire about free fact sheets on a variety of health and safety subjects, call (502) 629-KIDS or 1-800-852-1770.

# # #

Deaths this week

Walter Franklin Lilly, 78 of Windsor, S.C., formerly of Marion, died on Wednesday, July 9, 2008.

Patsy LaVerne Kirk McDonald, 72, of Salem died at 1:10 a.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at Livingston Hospital. Boyd Funeral Home in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Blood supplies low

The blood supply in west Kentucky and Tennessee has dropped to less than a 24-hour supply, with even lower levels of blood types O+, O-, A- and B-. Such low levels of blood are causing concern for American Red Cross officials.

“Right now the supply of blood is at such a low level that we’re not able to send hospitals everything they’re requesting,” said Steve Beeler, CEO of the Tennessee Valley Region of American Red Cross Blood Services. “We need people eligible to give blood to do so as soon as possible.”

To Give Blood
The Paducah, KY Donor Center located at 4635 Falconcrest Drive is extending hours:
Friday, July 11 – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 12 – 8 a.m. to 12 noon
Monday, July 14 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 15 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Land for $10,000 an acre

In Crittenden County, hunting property has recently been fetching upwards of $2,000 an acre in some cases, but in Michigan property is selling for $10,000 an acre. There, it's farming driving the price. 

Now that corn is reaching record prices - fueled largely by the ethanol boom - thousands of acres are being converted to farmland for raising what's quickly becoming known as yellow gold.

Read more at the Rural Blog.

Farmers market will continue

The Marion Farmers Market on Main Street next to McDonald's will continue to be operated by the Statllion family despite the recent death of market manager Greg Stallion.

His family told The Press this week that their intentions are to continue bringing fresh produce to Marion's main thoroughfare about a block from the courthouse.

Details to this and other stories are available in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Relay for Life

Crittenden County Relay for Life will start at 6:30 p.m., Friday at Marion-Crittenden County Park. 

The event was rained out last month.

Walkers and runners usually circle the park track all night long in an effort to raise money and awareness to fight cancer. The American Cancer Society sponsors the event. Because this year's makeup event is somewhat of an abbreviated version, the affair will end at 11 p.m.

Jack's by the Tracks

Jack Easley has been serving barbecue by the old railroad tracks in Marion for years. It's no wonder that every now and then some writer or publisher recognizes Marion Pit BBQ's special flavor.

Such was the case recently when author David Gelin stopped by Jack's to do some research for his latest book, BBQ Joints, available at Amazon.Com.

According to Judy Easley, Jack's wife and the real master behind the barbecue business, has told us that the author tried to get Jack's special recipe. Well, Jack gave him one, but it wasn't the real secret sauce formula that has made Jack's by the Tracks a hit in Marion for about three decades.

Fireworks reviews

After seeing or hearing about all the fireworks displays in the area over the Fourth of July holiday weekend here's a grade card for what patriots observed while celebrating Independence Day:

A+ Dycusburg's holiday event and fireworks

B+ Dam 50 fireworks display

A+ Thunder of Eddy Bay fireworks display

C+ Fireworks at Kentucky Dam Marina

Pick now or forget it

It's blackberry season in western Kentucky !

One of the most succulent fruits is the wild blackberry. From it you can make anything from pies to wine. Blackberry cobbler with a scoop of ice cream is a favorite summer treat.

Grandmother used to pay children 25 cents a quart to pick them for her. The greatest reward was the steaming hot pie she'd pull out of the oven a few hours later.

Berries are just starting to ripen on the vine, but pick now because they will not last. Between birds, bugs and Mother Nature, blackberries are short lived. Get them over the next few days or you won't be picking any seeds out of your teeth this July.

Fair lineup & fires

The Crittenden County Lions Club Fair begins later this month and The Crittenden Press will have all of the details in this week's printed edition. Fair favorites like the demolition derby will be back, plus a new donkey basketball night that will feature old-timer ball players from county schools like Frances and Mattoon.

Another article readers can look for in this week's printed newspaper is a warning from local fire chiefs about controlled burns. They say it's dry right now and fire starters should be careful. Additionally, those conducting controlled burns should call the police department at 965-3500 and let everyone know before they strike the match.

The Press will also have a closeup look at Rachel Yarborough, the new school superintendent in Crittenden County.

These news stories and more can be found in the next issue, which will be on newsstands today (Wednesday) beginning at 2 p.m.

Candidate filing deadline

Filing deadline for candidates seeking non-partisan seats on the Marion City Council and Crittenden County School Board is Aug. 12. Those filing to run will be on the ballot for the Nov. 4 general election.

It appears that at least four of the current city council members will seek re-election. A couple of are undecided. Also, former council member Mike Byford and Marion businessman Thom Hawthorne are thinking about running again.

It appears that there could be just one contested school board race in the Fourth District.

Stay tuned for this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press to find out all of the details about who's in and who's out for the upcoming election season.