Welcome to 2010

From The Crittenden Press staff:

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Retirement reception today

There is a retirement reception today from 9 a.m., to 5 p.m., for State Farm insurance agent David Wigginton. The reception is at his office on West Gum Street. Everyone is invited.

Ferry open

The Cave-In-Rock Ferry is open.  The ferry resumed regular service this morning after being closed due to high winds.

Ferry closed again

The Cave-in-Rock Ferry is closed again due to high winds.  The ferry reopened at 6:00 a.m., today.  However, a shift in the wind is again generating high waves on the Ohio River forcing the ferry to temporarily halt operations.

Crash update

Kentucky State Police are on the scene of a plane crash in rural Calloway County. State Police, Calloway County deputies, and other emergency responders arrived at the scene just after 3 p.m., to find the wreckage of a small aircraft fully engulfed in flames.  

The aircraft had clipped several trees before crashing in a side yard of a residence on Redbud Road, northeast of Murray. 

The pilot of the aircraft, Michael Davis, 52 of Pleasant View Tennessee, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Calloway County Coroner.  

According to sources close to Davis, Davis's aircraft took off fromLeitchfield, Ky., at approximately 2 p.m., en route to Union City, Tennessee.  

Kentucky State Police will be conducting the death investigation and will remain on scene overnight to await the arrival of Federal Aviation Administration officials.  FAA officials, who are expected to arrive tomorrow, will begin an investigation into the collision.  State Police was assisted by Kentucky Emergency Management, Calloway County Fire and Rescue, and Calloway County DES.

Aircraft crash

Police and NTSB oficials are on the scene of a fatal crash of a small
plane in Calloway County. No other details are available at this time.

Ferry closed

The Cave-in-Rock Ferry is closed due to high winds.  The wind has generated high waves on the Ohio River forcing the ferry to temporarily halt operations.

The high wind conditions are expected to last much of the day.

The ferry connects KY 91 with ILLINOIS Route 1 across the Ohio River between Crittenden County, KY, and Hardin County, IL.

The ferry normally operates from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. central time, 7 days a week.  The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day.

Obituary: Gillespie

Frank A. Gillespie, 91, of Marion died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009 at his home. He was a retired river boat pilot and U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

Surviving are his three daughters, Helen McConnell, Sue McDowell and Carolyn Hinchee, all of Marion; 10 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; and 27 great-great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Margie Gillespie; parents, Jack and Stella Gahgan Gillespie; and two brothers.

Graveside services are Sunday, Dec. 27 at Mount Zion Cemetery in Marion. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Traffic Advisory

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews are preparing for the possibility of heavy rain during the Christmas holiday driving period. They are asking holiday travelers to do the same.

Crews have been out today clearing drains of debris in flood prone areas in preparation for up to 2 inches of rainfall across the region over the next 2 days.

Crews have prepared trucks with Water Over Road signs and other appropriate supplies to be ready to roll out quickly if the are called to respond to flash flooding during the holiday.

Highway crews are on call 24/7 to assist with emergency situations that may disrupt transportation.

Motorists can do quite a lot to assure their own safety by slowing down whenever rain or snow creates less than ideal driving conditions. During heavy rain motorists should adjust their driving speed to localized weather conditions. Drivers should be alert for running water and debris that may be washed onto the roadway.

There is also a chance of snow showers over the weekend.

Motorists should monitor local news media to get regular weather and road condition updates.

Marion United Methodist Christmas Eve Communion

Early Bird flies earlier

Anyone interested in publishing an item in next week's Dec. 29 issue of the Early Bird Shopper Guide should contact The Crittenden Press office by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 23 to schedule space. Thank you.

Area Deaths

Rebecca G. Stallion, 74, of Marion, died Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 at Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services. The funeral is Sunday.

Shelby Ray Lanham, 90, of Marion died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009 at Crittenden County Health and Rehab. He was a member of Union Baptist Church and retired coal miner. The funeral is Saturday.

Community Christmas Drop-Off Day

Today is Community Christmas donations drop off at the National Guard Armory. All sponsor items are due between 9 a.m., and 5 p.m., Thursday (today). 

Bags along with unwrapped items need to be labeled with the child’s number and letter. 

If you have questions concerning Community Christmas, contact Nancy Hunt at 965-5236 or Mona Manley at 965-5229.

Area Death: Riley

Cornelia Riley of Burna died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 at Livingston Hospital. The funeral is Saturday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem. Visitation is Friday.

This week's issue

The Crittenden Press printed edition will be on newsstands after 3 p.m., today. This week's issue includes coverage of the Marion Christmas Parade; a story on Community Christmas reaching its goal for sponsorships and more than $11,000 in donations; and the tragic followup on that automobile wreck in Joy that killed a four-year-old Crittenden preschooler a couple of weeks ago. The mother has now been charged.

Marion Christmas Parade Saturday

The Marion Christmas Parade will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday on Main Street. 

More than 85 entries have registered to participate. 

Entries will line up on West Elm Street. There will be no residential parking along the street prior to the parade. 

Santa will be in the parade, and at the courthouse Saturday night to visit with children. There will also be free wagon rides around town Saturday evening. Boarding will be at the courthouse on the hour starting at 6 p.m.

Traffic Advisory: Henderson Area US 60

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict travel lanes along a one mile section of US 41 at the US 60 North Henderson cloverleaf during daylight hours on Monday and Tuesday, December 14 & 15.

The lane restriction will run along both the northbound and southbound lanes starting at the Kimsey Lane Overpass at US 41 mile point 15.436 and running northward through the North Henderson Cloverleaf to near the Long John Silver’s restaurant and Cinema Drive at about mile point 16.4.

Both the northbound and southbound passing lane will be restricted along this section of US 41 to allow the Henderson County Highway Maintenance Crew to clean and perform maintenance work along the safety barrier wall that runs through the area.

Motorists who regularly travel through the US 41/US 60 North Henderson Cloverleaf should be aware of this maintenance work and be prepared to encounter slowing and merging traffic. Some delays are possible, particularly during the morning and afternoon commute. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time through this busy section at the south end of the US 41 North Henderson Strip.

The lane restrictions will create a merge point for southbound traffic around Barrett Lane and a merge point for northbound traffic near the 15 mile marker as motorists approach the Kimsey Lane overpass. Motorists are advised to use appropriate caution in the work zone where equipment, flaggers, and maintenance personnel will be on the roadway in close proximity to traffic flow.

Approximately 33,000 vehicles travel this section of US 41 during an average day.

Car vs. Tractor: No serious injuries

A car swerved to miss a tractor on U.S. 60 East early Friday morning about two miles northeast of town. The car went off the roadway and overturned. No one was seriously injured.

Area Death: Hearell

Claud Edward Hearell, 83, of Marion, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation Center. The funeral is Sunday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Judge puts public defender in jail

UPDATE: Attorney was released at 1:30 p.m., Thursday.

Circuit Court Judge Rene Williams charged a public defender with contempt of court today and sent him to the Crittenden County Detention Center to serve until she authorizes his release. Paul Sysol of Henderson was 40 minutes late for court Thurday morning. By the time he arrived, his client had already left the courthouse. It wasn't the first time Sysol had been late, the judge said.

The Crittenden Press printed edition will have more on this matter in next week's issue.

Car catches fire after deer collision

A woman was taken to the hospital after hitting a deer with her car shortly before 11 a.m., Thursday in the northern part of the county on Ky. 365 (Baker Church Road). The car went off the road and burst into flames. The woman had gotten out of the car before it caught fire and she was not burned. However, she was taken to Crittenden Hospital with multiple injuries.

Ferry reopens

Cave In Rock Ferry is back operating today after being idled due to
high wind on Wednesday.

Traffic Advisory: Sturgis Area

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close KY 923 in Union County on Thursday, December 10. The closure near the southeast edge of Sturgis is to allow the Union County Highway Maintenance Crew to replace a failed cross drain. KY 923 will be closed between the 2 and 3 mile marker. This is between First Avenue/King Street and Sullivan Road. The closure will start at approximately 7:30 a.m., Thursday, just after the morning school bus run.   KY 923 is expected to reopen to traffic about 3 p.m. Motorists who regularly travel this section of KY 923 should make advance alternate travel plans.  There will be no marked detour.

Hunters rescued on Ohio River

Rescue personnel from Crittenden County safely recovered some duck hunters stranded on McKinley Island on the Ohio River Wednesday morning. More when details are available.

Cave In Rock Ferry closed

The Cave In Rock Ferry is closed due to dangerous winds in excess of 30 mph today. Transportation officials urge motorists to slow down and be aware of other vehicles who might be affected by the wind, as well as the potential for flying debris.

Weather Service Wind Advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for western Kentucky through 3 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 9.  The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is urging motorists to use appropriate caution.

 

High winds, along with rain sweeping across the region, are expected to create hazardous driving conditions through Wednesday and possibly into Friday. Motorists should buckle up, slow down and use appropriate caution.

 

Widespread wind speeds of 20 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 mph are expected to develop after midnight tonight and continue through Wednesday afternoon.

 

A deepening low pressure system will sweep north of the region bringing a front with strong and gusty winds.

 

Once the front passes, winds will shift and increase to the 20 to 35 mph range into Wednesday morning with 45 mile per hour gusts. This will create hazardous driving conditions for all vehicles. This band of high winds will create additional hazards for high-profile vehicles such as trucks, motor homes, vans, SUVs and vehicles pulling trailers.  Additionally, motorists should be alert for blowing debris, as well as the potential for downed power lines and trees.

 

As winds subside to the 15 to 20 mph range Wednesday afternoon temperatures will drop. The wind chill is expected to drop to around 5 to 10 degrees, creating an additional cold-weather hazard for motorists. 

Railroad crossing closures

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has authorized CSX Railroad to close highways for rail crossing repairs and upgrades in Webster and Hopkins Counties this week. The closures are in the Providence area.

 

CSX plans to close KY 293/Harmon Street in Providence on Wednesday, Dec. 9. The closure at mile point 2.8 is just south of Woodson Street in Providence.  Click here for map. The closure is expected to be in place about daylight with the roadway remaining closed until about dark Wednesday.  About 1,300 vehicles travel this section of KY 293 in an average day.

 

CSX plans to close KY 814 in Hopkins County on Thursday, December 10, 2009.  This is theProvidence Cutoff Road that runs between US 41-A/Nebo Road and KY 109/Rabit Ridge Road just south of Providence.  The closure is at KY 814 mile point 1.12.  About 1,100 vehicles travel KY 814 in an average day.

 

Motorists who regularly travel these routes should be aware of these planned closures and make advance alternate travel plans.

 

There will be no marked detour at either location.  Passenger vehicles may self-detour via side roads.  Trucks should self-detour via appropriate state routes.

 

Traffic advisory

Crews have been out in the Henderson area inspecting and spot treating.

Snow and some light sleet and snow moved along the Ohio River overnight.  Road surface temps were warm enough to keep it from sticking on highways.  Crews were focusing mainly on bridges and overpasses.

Mother could face charges in fatal crash

A Crittenden County woman could face charges in the death of her four-year-old son in a one-car wreck Wednesday near Joy in Livingston County.

The child, Damien Crain, was a preschool student at Crittenden County Elementary. 

Authorities said the mother, Andrea Crain, 25, recorded a .037 blood alcohol content on a breathalyzer following the accident at 10:30 p.m., Wednesday on Ky. 133. According to Kentucky law an adult is considered legally intoxicated at .08.

The child was secured in a booster seat with a shoulder belt, but died on impact, crash investigators told The Paducah Sun.

The mother was taken to Livingston Hospital, then to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. She was originally listed in serious condition.

Charges could be filed against the mother. 

The Crittenden Press printed edition will have more details next week.

Kenergy will shut off power for work

Up to 138 Kenergy Corp., members in Webster and Crittenden counties will be without power on Dec. 9 beginning at 10:30 a.m. while the co-op works to increase voltage and improve service reliability at peak times to the area.

Power is expected to be out for 2.5 hours.  However, bad weather could lengthen the outage.

The majority of affected members live on Highways 143 and 109 in Webster County.  Four members in Crittenden County who live on Highway 120 will be included in the planned outage.

The co-op will use crews from all three of its districts – for a total of 38 workers – to complete the project, which will double the amount of voltage available in the area.