Bogs, pulls pack fairgrounds

The weather finally cooperated for the Crittenden County Lions Club Fair Friday night and a packed house bounced between the mud bogs and truck and tractor pulls which went on simultaneously. 

The pulls were postponed Thursday due to rain. Organizers decided to run the pulls alongside the mud bogs because they did not conflict for time inside the main arena. The bogs were held in a pit dug on the east side of the fairgrounds. It was the first time bogs were held at the fair.

The bogs and pulls were a big hit. All of the fairgrounds parking lots were filled to capacity and overflow parking was moved to City-County Park. It was a demolition derby crowd – and the derby isn't until Saturday night.

The derby – traditionally the largest crowd-drawer of the entire week – starts at 7 p.m., tonight (Saturday).

Pictured above in the mud bog competition is Stacey Collyer of Marion.

I-24 in Livingston down to one lane

There is an emergency lane restriction on Interstate 24 westbound at the 33 mile marker in Livingston County.

 

Westbound traffic will likely be restricted to one lane for the rest of today due to a problem with a bridge expansion joint.  This is near the Livingston-Lyon County line between Grand Rivers and Eddyville.

 

All westbound traffic will move to the left-hand or passing lane at the site to allow a crew to evaluate the problem and attempt to make repairs.

 

FAIR UPDATE: Truck, tractor pulls postponed

Thursday night's truck and tractor pulls scheduled as the main event for the Crittenden County Lions Club Fair have been postponed due to weather. Above, fair officials give drivers the disappointing news a few minutes before the event was scheduled to begin.

The pulls have been moved to Friday night, slated to begin at 7 p.m., running simultaneously with the mud bogs, a first-year event at the county fair. One admission to the fairgrounds on Friday will cover both events. Tickets purchased Thursday night by fair goers will be honored Friday.

Thursday marked the third fair event hampered by the weather. On Saturday, the horse show was cancelled due to muddy conditions at the arena. Two days ago, the talent show was moved indoors due to rain.

Blood drive today at Marion United Methodist Church

There will be an American Red Cross blood drive from noon until 5 p.m., today (Thursday) at the Marion United Methodist Church on College Street. 

Paving work on Ky. 120 near Crittenden line

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to start paving operations along Ky. 120 (Martion-Providence Road) in eastern Crittenden County today (Thursday).

The project along Ky. 120 runs from the intersection of Ky. 132 at mile point 12.299 eastward  to the Tradewater River Bridge at the Crittenden-Webster line..  This is a distance of about 4.4 miles.

The contractor will use a rolling lane restriction with flaggers controlling traffic flow.  Minor delays are possible.

Motorists should use appropriate caution in areas where equipment, flaggers and construction personnel are on the roadway in close proxmility to traffic flow. Rogers Group, Inc., is the prime contractor on this highway improvement project.  The work is expected to be complete in about two weeks, weather permitting.

During this paving work the KYTC District 1 Bridge crew plans to do some deck work on bridges in the work zone.

Pugh captures talent show title

Winners of Tuesday night's Crittenden County Lions Club Fair Talent Show were:

1. Misty Pugh
2. Ashlee Collins
3. LaDonna Herron

The event was moved indoors to Second Baptist Church due to inclement weather. Pictured is LaDonna Herron.

Tonight (Wednesday) is the mini tractor pull and carnival. The pull starts at 7. The midway opens at 5.

Cick here for a complete fair schedule.

Fair Moves Talent Show Due to Rain

Organizers of the Crittenden County Lions Club Fair have decided to move tonight's Tuesday feature event into the dry. 

Due to wet conditions and the threat of more rainfall this evening, the fair will move the Talent Show to Second Baptist Church on East Depot Street. The event begins at 7.

For more information on this event, please call 704-1869 or 704-0769.

Flag football registration

Grades K-2 Flag Football registration and skills assessment will be on August 8^th from 10:00-12:00. It will be held at Rocket Stadium.  There will be no cost to play.  Volunteers will be appreciated.

Ledbetter Bridge work starts Monday

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict traffic to one lane on the U.S. 60 Tennessee River Bridge during daylight hours starting Monday, August 3, 2009.

 

The lane restriction is to allow a detailed inspection of the bridge structure. Inspectors plan to restrict traffic on the bridge to one lane from approximately 8:30 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m., each day.  Inspectors will be conducting an arms-length inspection of the bridge superstructure, deck members, and substructure. The work is expected to take about a week.

 

Motorists should be alert for equipment, flaggers, and inspection personnel on the bridge deck in close proximity to traffic flow. Appropriate caution is required.

 

Also known as the Ledbetter Bridge and the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge, the structure carries approximately 9,000 vehicles cross the Tennessee River Bridge in an average day, linking McCracken County and Livingston County at U.S. 60 mile point 19.718.

 

All Kentucky bridges get a detailed arms-length inspection every two years. The Tennessee River Bridge was opened to traffic in 1931 as a toll bridge. Piers for a new bridge are currently under construction just upstream from the existing structure.

Email us your news tips

The Crittenden Press printed edition is always seeking news tips and short features for its Spotlight on the Community section.

Do you have a college student who joined a fraternity or sorority, a friend who received a special award or recognition, an employee who recently completed special training or a parent who is retiring? These are just a few examples. We're looking for a variety of Spotlight features. If you think it's important to you, it's probably important to our readers. What about a class reunion or a sports event? We're want your news.

Provide us with some basic information such as who, what, when, where and why. And please include a contact email address or phone number. 

CLICK HERE TO SEND US A NEWS OR SPOTLIGHT SUGGESTION

Etheridge wins beauty contest

Lacey Etheridge won tonight's 2009 Miss Crittenden County Beauty Contest at the county fair. The fair continues tomorrow night at the fairgrounds with family night and a talent show. Entry to the fairgrounds is only $2 for any age.

Miss Crittenden County pageant tonight

The Crittenden County Lions Club Fair starts tonight at 6 pm with the beauty pageant at Fohs Hall. Carnival opens Tuesday. Click here for a complete fair schedule.

Area Deaths

Lal M. Curry, 90, of Salem died at 2:50 p.m., Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at Salem Springlake Care Center. Graveside services at Saturday. Boyd Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Harry C. Kirk, 75, of Marion Thursday July 23, 2009. Funeral services are Sunday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Ronald Wade Gipson, 49, of Marion died Thursday, July 23 at Crittenden County Hospital. Graveside services are Monday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Blood Drive Thursday, July 23 at Deer Creek

An American Red Cross blood drive is being held Thursday (today) from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Deer Creek Baptist Church located at 69 Deer Creek Church Road in Sheridan.

Next week, there will be a blood drive  Thursday, July 30, from noon to 5 p.m. at Marion United Methodist Church located at 112 S. College St. in Marion.

 

If you are at least 17 years of age, (16 with parental consent), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in good general health, you may be eligible to donate blood. All donors need to present positive identification. For more information or to schedule your blood donation appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).

Bobcats rained out Wednesday

The Marion Bobcats' doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday has been rained out.

Cave In Rock Ferry gets stimulus funds

The Cave In Rock Ferry will be receiving $90,000 in federal stimulus funds to improve the landing area on the Kentucky shore. Erosion and sediment issues at the landing have created problems for years, officials say.

Improving the the landing will also limit disruptions in service. 

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for details.

Phelps interning in Washington

U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) welcomed a new intern to his Washington, DC office this month. Leigha Phelps of Marion will be interning in the congressman’s Washington office for the summer, learning about the legislative process and assisting First Congressional District residents. For more, see this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

 

Morganfield woman is Miss Kentucky

A 23-year-old woman from Morganfield has been crowned 2009's Miss Kentucky, the Associated Press reported over the weekend.

Mallory Ervin on Saturday won a $10,000 scholarship, a Lexus to use during her year of service and an opportunity to compete in the 2010 Miss American pageant in January.

Ervin also will be a spokeswoman for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, which spends up to $25,000 a year to reimburse Miss Kentucky’s travel expenses as she promotes healthy lifestyles at schools and events.

She is the daughter of Gary and Lisa Ervin and has a theater arts degree from The University of the South in Tennessee.

First runner-up in the pageant held in Lexington was 22-year-old Janelle Blevins of Webbville.

Second runner-up was 19-year-old Andrea Walker of Wilmore.

Dam 50 access to remain closed next week

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to continue daytime closures on KY 387/Dam 50 Road in Crittenden County into Monday through Wednesday, July 20, 21, and 22, 2009.

Drainage improvements near the entrance to the Dam 50 Recreation Area have required more work than expected, extending the closure to into next week.

Work at the site will block all access to the boat landing and campground.

KY 387/Dam 50 Road will be closed between the 3 and 4 mile marker. This is between Cotton Patch Road and the End of State Maintenance at the Dam 50 Recreation Area. Again, this will prohibit all daytime access to the recreation area on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

KY 387 is expected to be closed at the site between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., CDT, each day. This work will block all vehicle access to the Dam 50 Recreation Area during work hours. The plan of work calls for the roadway to reopen to traffic overnight.

Motorists, campers, and fishermen who normally travel KY 387 to access the Dam 50 Recreation Area should make advance alternate plans during daylight hours Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Motorcycle accident on Sturgis Road

A reader sent an email this morning advising us of what appeared to be a motorcycle vs. vehicle accident on Sturgis Road in front of Food Giant before 7:30 a.m.

The observer said it appeared that the biker was injured. Two ambulances and the Marion Police Department were at the scene. No other details were immediately available.

Fatal accident in Nebo

Traffic ADVISORY

Location: US 41 Alternate
City: Nebo 
County: Hopkins 
Incident: Crash/fatality 

There is a report of a two-vehicle fatal crash in Hopkins County. A UPS delivery vehicle and a privately owned SUV were involved in the accident on US 41-A near Nebo, Ky. The driver of the UPS truck was evacuated to the Madisonville Regional Hospital with minor injuries. The Hopkins County coroner is at the scene. There are two KSP units at the scene, as well as the Nebo Volunteer Fire Department.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Magistrate West makes it official

Crittenden County Magistrate Greg West has made it official, he plans to run for county judge-executive starting in the 2010 Republican primary.

West, a two-term magistrate, filed with the Kentucky Election Registry a letter of intent to run for office this week.

You can read his official announcement online at his blog. Click here.

Dam 50 closure continues through Friday

Highway Department work on Dam 50 Road will continue through Friday. The road will remain closed during the hours between 8:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday.

This will prohibit access to the boat ramp and campsite area at Riverview Park.

This week's printed edition

Farmers Bank is getting a new president, a local filling stations is going dry and the fair has new events. Those are just a few news stories you will find this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, which will be on newsstands today after 3 p.m.

ADVISORY: Dam 50 Road closed

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close KY 387 (Dam 50 Road) in Crittenden County during daylight hours on Wednesday and Thursday, July 15 and 16.  

This planned closure is near the entrance to the Dam 50 Recreation Area and will block all access to the boat landing and campground.

 

The closure is to allow the Crittenden County Highway Maintenance Crew to complete some drainage work and replace four cross drains near the recreation area.

 

Dam 50 Road will be closed between the 3 and 4 mile marker.  This is between Cotton Patch Road and the End of State Maintenance at the Dam 50 Recreation Area.  Again, this will prohibit all daytime access to the recreation area.

 

KY 387 is expected to be closed at the site on Wednesday and Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., each day. The plan of work calls for the roadway to reopen to traffic overnight.

 

Motorists, campers, and fishermen who normally travel KY 387 to access the Dam 50 Recreation Area should make advance alternate plans during daylight hours Wednesday and Thursday.

 

 

AC issues may move service

Marion United Methodist Church is experiencing issues with its air conditioning unit in the sanctuary. Church officials are advising the congregation and visitors to watch for signs Sunday as its normal service may be held in the church basement.

New coach wants to meet with players

New CCHS boys basketball coach Chad Hayes wants to meet with all boys basketball players and their parents at 1 p.m., on Friday July 10 at Rocket Arena.

City 's WiFi could be running by late summer

A plan to offer free wireless Internet access in Marion is coming together, according to city leaders.

The Marion City Council will hear a proposal this month and, if accepted, residents could be logging on to free broadband Internet service by August or September.

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for details. The Press will be on newsstands after 3 p.m., Wednesday.

 

Peoples opens new drive-thru branch

More than 100 people attended The Peoples Bank's ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday evening at its new drive-thru branch on North Main Street.

The branch will be open for walk-in customers starting Tuesday, July 7 and drive-thru customers beginning Thursday or Friday when outside construction and concrete work is completed.

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for more about the new banking facility, which was built with virtually all local labor and materials.

Pictured are employees of The Peoples Bank posing in front of the new facility after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Fourth fireworks all in sky

Local officials say the fireworks in the county last weekend were well attended and the crowds were well behaved.

Crittenden County Sheriff Wayne Agent reported that no disturbances were reported from Dam 50's Riverside Park nor Dycusburg where Fourth of July celebrations included large crowds and fireworks.

One observer estimated that more than 200 people were at Dam 50 Saturday night and a smaller, but still lively crowd was at Dycusburg. Volunteers and donations led to fireworks at both locations.

New drive thru opens Tuesday

The Peoples Bank in Marion will host a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:15 p.m., today leading up to tomorrow's opening of its new drive-thru branch on North Main Street.

Today's ceremony is open to the public and will include giveaways and refreshments.

Fireworks for the Fourth

You can catch fireworks displays at Dycusburg, Salem, Tolu, Dam 50's Riverside Park and at Kentucky Dam Village at dusk Saturday.

On Sunday, there will be more fireworks at Deer Creek Church and at Eddy Creek Marina.

Holiday closings schedule