Reminder: No newspaper this week

There will be no Dec. 30 edition of The Crittenden Press this week. The next issue will be Jan. 6.

Stay tuned to The Press Online for any breaking news in the community.

Meantime, check out our new Facebook page. Click on the Big Blue F at in the lefthand column of this page.

KSP Plans Major Crackdown on Drunk Drivers

Kentucky State Police are gearing up for the New Years Eve holiday, which is traditionally a time for festive events where people gather to ring in a new year. Many of these celebrations will include the consumption of alcohol, lending way to the potential for impaired drivers on Kentucky roadways.

Every year law enforcement officials make a plea to those who drink to stay off the roads. While drunk driving is a terrible crime any day of the year, statistics show that the holiday season has the greatest incidence for crashes involving alcohol.

KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer said his agency will be participating in the Over the Limit. Under Arrest.impaired driving enforcement campaign sponsored by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety.

“Life is too precious to be lost in a senseless tragedy that causes indescribable hardship,” said Brewer. “KSP has a no-tolerance policy. If you are caught driving under the influence, you will go to jail.”

Increased enforcement begins Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 2. Brewer advised that KSP will increase road patrols and operate safety checkpoints statewide during the holiday period, cracking down on drunk drivers.

“Make no mistake, our message is simple. If you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested. No exceptions, no excuses. We will be out in force to take drunk drivers off the road - and save lives that might otherwise be lost,” said Brewer.

KSP Spokesman Trooper John Hawkins urges friends and family members to take the keys away from anyone who drinks alcohol and arrange for them to be driven home.

“We know there are going to be holiday celebrations and office parties this time of year where alcohol will be consumed, so your best bet is to always designate a sober driver before the parties begin,” says Hawkins.

“In 2009, there were 30,430 DUI arrests in the Commonwealth,” said Hawkins. “We need every citizen’s help to keep impaired drivers off the road.”

KSP established a toll-free number (1-800-222-5555) that citizens can call to report impaired or erratic drivers.

Area Death

James Franklin Hughes, 93, of Carrsville died Monday, Dec. 27, 2010 at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation Center. The funeral and visitation are Wednesday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Area death

Rowena Campbell, 85, of Marion died Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 at Livingston Hospital in Salem. The funeral is Tuesday at Gilbert Funeral Home. Visitation is tonight.

Merry Christmas from The Press Online

The Crittenden Press wishes its readers a blessed holiday season starting with a joyous Christmas Day.

Remember, there will be no printed edition of The Press next week.

Stay tuned to our Web site for any breaking news events.

In the meantime, check us out on Facebook. The new site has a discussion board.

Methodists open church for public communion

Marion United Methodist Church, across from the U.S. Post Office in Marion, invites everyone to its sanctuary for public communion from 5-7 p.m., Christmas Eve. Come and go as you please.

Holiday closings and hours

GROCERY STORES

• Conrads and Food Giant grocery stores will be closed Christmas Day. Conrad’s is open until 10 p.m., Christmas Eve and Food Giant is closing at 6 p.m. Both stores are open regular hours New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

GAS STATIONS

• Five Star Food Mart will be open 24 hours a day throughout the holidays.
• nIdeal gas station on Sturgis Road will be open from 6 a.m., to 6 p.m., Christmas Eve and from 8 a.m., to 10 p.m., Christmas Day. It will be open normal hours for New Year’s Eve and Day.
• Liberty Fuels gas station will be open until 2 p.m., Christmas Eve and closed all day Christmas Day. It will be closed New Year’s Day, too. Liberty Fuels offers after-hours fueling with a credit card.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

• Offices in the Crittenden County Courthouse are closed Dec. 23-25, Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 1.
• Marion City Hall will be closed Dec. 23-24 and Dec. 30-31.
• The Crittenden-Livingston Water District will be closed Dec. 23-24 and Dec. 31.
• The Marion Post Office will be closing at noon Christmas Eve and noon New Year’s Eve. The office will be closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.

OTHER SERVICES

• The Crittenden Press will close at noon today and be closed tomorrow, Christmas Eve. There will be no newspaper the last week of the year; however, the Early Bird will be on a normal schedule through the holidays. The Press office will be closed New Year’s Eve.
• Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 4. If anyone would like to tour the museum during this time, call Tina Walker at 965-3728.
• The Crittenden County Adult Learning Center will be closed Christmas Eve through Jan. 2 for the holidays.

Hospital breaks ground for operating room

Crittenden Health Systems hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at noon Wednesday to formally kick off a construction project that will include renovation and expansion of the hospital operating room at a cost of about $2.6 million.

Several hospital officials, staff and representatives from financial institutions and engineering and construction groups attended the event.

See the Jan. 6, 2011 printed edition of The Crittenden Press for more details.

Pictured in front are (from left) Hugh Highfil, hospital director; Wade Berry, president of Farmers Bank; Bart Frazer, chairman of hospital board, Jean-Claude Keifer, hospital director; Charlie Hunt, hospital director; Dr. V. Soni, Dr. Rex Manayan, a new hospital surgeon; Dr. James Hawkins; and Roger Simpson, hospital director.

Health departments offering free flu shots for kids

The Pennyrile District Health Department is now offering free flu vaccinations to children age 6 months to 18 years. Get your vaccination at the Crittenden County Health Department in Industrial Park South next to the Marion Ed-Tech Center or in Caldwell, Livingston, Lyon or Trigg counties.

Shots are also available at school clinics when classes resume after the holidays. If you would like your child to receive a flu shot at school, call the school clinic to make an appointment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu shot for everyone six months and older, especially those with chronic illnesses. Cost of the shot for those 19 and older is $25 and free to those with Medicaid and Medicare.

Check out our new Facebook page

Join The Crittenden Press on Facebook. We launched a new page this week that will include a variety of features. For starters, you can join a couple of online discussions about things going on in Marion.

View our page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Crittenden-Press/185406934808499?v=wall

Ride round town tomorrow night with Santa

Santa invites the community to join him on a series of short hayrides around town from 6-8 p.m., tomorrow night (Thursday, Dec. 23). The rides are free and will include a tour of Marion to see the Christmas lights on homes and public buildings. Meet Santa and the hay wagon at the courthouse.

Auction today at Grandview Estates in Marion

Welcome to the shortest day of the year

Today is the winter solstice, which happens when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. It is the shortest day and longest night of the year, and also signals the beginning of winter.

The winter solstice comes to the Norther Hemisphere in December and to the Southern Hemisphere in June.

Area Death

Betty J. Jones, 78, of Marion died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010 at Crittenden County Health and Rehab. Visitation is Wednesday evening at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Area Deaths

Richard Stokes, 76, of Marion died Friday at Salem Springlake Health and Rehab. The funeral is Monday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Ruby Tinsley, 83, of Tolu died Saturday at her home. The funeral is Wednesday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Kenneth Rhea Locke, Sr, 80, of Marion died Saturday at his home. The funeral is Wednesday at Myers Funeral Home in Marion.

Western Kentucky Parkway bottlenecked at Caldwell-Hopkins County line

Traffic is restricted to one lane on the Western Kentucky Parkway at the Hopkins-Caldwell County Line.

Engineers have discovered a void underneath the right-hand or driving lane of the parkway near the Tradewater River. Traffic is being moved to the left-hand or passing lane at the site. The lane restriction is likely to remain round the clock through the middle of next week when repairs should be completed.

Motorists traveling eastbound on the parkway between Princeton and Dawson Springs should be alert for slowing and merging traffic as they approach the 21 mile marker.

Courthouse hosts reception for Judge Brown

More than 50 well-wishers, including Sen. Dorsey Ridley and Rep. Mike Cherry, attended a retirement reception for outgoing Crittenden County Judge-Executive Fred Brown on Thursday.

Brown will turn over the county's top seat to Perry Newcom starting in January.

Pictured is Dan Witherspoon making a presentation to Brown on behalf of the Veterans Walk of Honor.

For more, see next week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Auction Tuesday at Grandview in Marion

Welcome Marion Cafe to the Web

The Crittenden Press Online welcomes its newest online advertiser, Marion Cafe and Thom's Sweet Shoppe on Main Street at the courthouse square in Marion.

Click here to visit the cafe's Web page

Community Christmas reaches goal

Thanks to some 11th-hour giving, the annual Community Christmas project has reached its goal of sponsoring more than 300 children this holiday season.

Every child signed up for the program has received a sponsor and thanks to the generosity of the community, the effort has raised an additional $10,500 in cash. The money will be used for gift vouchers and food for those who did not register for Community Christmas.

Auction Tuesday at Grandview in Marion

Winter advisory still in effect for Crittenden

The National Weather Service has extended a Winter Weather Advisory until noon today for Crittenden and several other counties in the area, including some in southern Illinois.

With temperatures still under the freezing mark by late morning, the weather service said freezing drizzle and freezing fog will continue to develop, with little or no additional ice accumulation. However, patchy slick spots are possible on roadways, especially bridges.

Other Kentucky counties still under the advisory are Union, Webster, Hopkins, McClean and Muhlenburg. In southern Illinois, Pope, Johnson, Gallatin and Hardin remain under the advisory.

No school Thursday

There will be no school in Crittenden County Thursday, Dec. 16 due to icy conditions in some areas of the county.

Last-minute surge helps Community Christmas

A last-minute surge of holiday spirit has lifted Community Christmas closer to its goal of having gifts for 308 needy children.

The annual effort was in jeopardy only a few hours ago, but organizers now say the names of only six children remain on angel trees at Pamida and the Extension office. They hope those will be taken by late this afternoon so that every child will be sponsored.

You can still make financial donations at The Peoples Bank in Marion through Friday.

Community Christmas organizers fear worst

Organizers of Community Christmas fear the midweek forecast for more wintry weather will impede the chance of catching up on donations prior to Friday's distribution day. Thirty-five children out of 308 have still not been sponsored and cash contributions are half what they were last year.

"I am really worried because of the weather and how it will affect us," said Nancy Hunt, one of the Community Christmas organizers.

With financial donations at $4,700 as of Wednesday morning, it's going to be tough to give the community's needy children a bright Christmas. Last year, local givers provided $9,400 in cash, which helps buy gifts and other items for those in need.

Children who are sponsored generally receive gifts amounting to about $100. If they go unsponsored, chances are their families will receive gift vouchers for local retailers amounting to less than $25.

Cash contributions can be made at The Peoples Bank in Marion. To sponsor a child, go to the angel trees at Pamida or the Extension office.

Classes will resume Wednesday

Classes will resume in Crittenden County Wednesday. Students missed Monday and Tuesday due to snow and hazardous driving conditions.

School officials say they have been in contact with the National Weather Service regarding the forecast of more wintry weather Wednesday. They say predictions are for freezing rain and sleet to begin later in the day, after children are safely home.

However, school officials will continue monitoring the storm's arrival, and if necessary, students could be sent home early.

School athletic events cancelled today

Due to hazardous conditions, all Crittenden County school-related athletic activity for Tuesday is cancelled, including games and practice sessions.

The Lady Rockets were supposed to host Hopkinsville tonight and the middle school girls were scheduled for a tournament at Burna.

Area bracing for more winter mix

Highway crews continue to prepare for another round of winter precipitation, which could start tomorrow.

"The good news is that the massive amounts of salt required to melt snow and ice that covered western Kentucky highways during extreme cold over the weekend has left plenty of salt residue on driving surfaces," said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesperson Keith Todd. "That salt residue provides the equivalent of pre-treating for the coming winter event."

Forecasters say a wintry mix of precipitation can be expected in western Kentucky and southern Illinois on Wednesday. However, they say it will not be anything like the ice storm of 2009.

Former Rocket coach now at UK

Former Crittenden County High School head football coach Steve Pardue is joining the University of Kentucky football team as an assistant coach.

Pardue took part in practice Saturday for the first time, as a temporary employee. He and the university were to make the deal official early this week.

Pardue coached at Crittenden from 1987 to 1990. For the past 20 years, he has coached in Georgia where he sent several players to the collegiate and NFL ranks. For 17 seasons, Pardue was head coach at LaGrange High School where he built a 161-46 record and won three state championships.

Pardue is a native of Hopkinsville and is brother-in-law of another former Rocket coach, Pat Gates.

Area Death

William Drennan, 88, of Fredonia died Saturday at his residence. The funeral is Tuesday at Walnut Grove Church.

School cancelled again for Tuesday

There will be no school in Crittenden County Tuesday, Dec. 14 due to hazardous road conditions.

Community Christmas short on funds

Community Christmas is in desperate need of sponsors and donations. With only a few days remaining until distribution day on Friday, there are still 38 children on the tree at the Extension Office and 10 at Pamida.

Cash donations as of Monday totaled $3,182, which is far short of the amount donated in years past.

To sponsor a child stop by Pamida or the Extension Office at 1534 U. S. Hwy. 60 East or call 965-5236 and children’s wish lists can be given over the phone. Cash donations can be deposited at either location of The Peoples Bank. Directions on where and when to return sponsor gifts are included with the angel tree cards. Contact the Extension Office for further information.

Area death

Ralph Teer, 85, of Marion died Monday at Livingston Hospital. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and Purple Heart recipient. The funeral is Wednesday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Cave In Rock Ferry is now running

The Cave In Rock Ferry, which stopped operating Sunday due to high winds, is back in action on the Ohio River. The ferry has been operating on a regular schedule today.

School cancelled Monday, roadways refreezing

There will be no school in Crittenden County on Monday, Dec. 13.

State highway officials say road conditions, which had improved from salting at mid-day are once again treacherous due to refreezing. Crews remain out in force in Crittenden and surrounding counties, said Keith Todd, spokesman for the Kentucky Department of Highways.

"Drifts have been a problem throughout the day. Wind has continued to blow snow across road surfaces. That has prompted most counties to start plowing in an effort to knock down drifts," Todd said.

As temperatures drop through the night, driving conditions are likely to deteriorate even further, Todd added.

Once temperatures drop below about 18 degrees, salt and other ice-fighting chemicals lose their effectiveness, the said.

"As drivers prepare for the morning commute, highway officials are asking everyone to allow extra driving time and use appropriate caution," said Todd. "Due to the temperatures down in the teens overnight some slick spots are going to remain. The cold temperatures can also cause re-freezing overnight creating an additional hazard on the morning commute."

The US Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for all of Kentucky.

Winter weather advisory

The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for one to two inches of snow. The advisory runs from 6 a.m., to 6 p.m., Sunday. There is an 80 percent chance of precipitation today.

With temperatures in the low 20s early Sunday morning frozen precipitation was accumulating on the ground and roads.

Cave In Rock Ferry was closed Sunday morning due to high winds.

See Santa Saturday at Full Body Fitness

Full Body Fitness on Jent Road just outside of Marion is hosting an open house Saturday and Santa will be there from 10 a.m., until 2 p.m. Public invited.

Read more about the event, click here.

Community Christmas seeks more help

Eight days from distribution for Community Christmas, organizers say they need more donors in order to make this holiday a special one for local children. You can still sponsor a child by taking a tag from the angel trees at Pamida and the Extension office. There are 16 families with 3-4 children on one tree and several other smaller families needing assistance. Sponsors have until Dec. 16 to purchase gifts. For more information on Community Christmas contact Mona Manley at 965-5229 or Nancy Hunt at 965-5236.

Firemen respond of mobile home blaze

Volunteer firemen in Mattoon and other area stations responded to a mobile home fire shortly after 8 p.m., Wednesday. The fire was next to Baker Church off Ky. 365.

Hospital moving ahead with expansion

Crittenden Health Systems Board of Directors approved a plan Tuesday during a special meeting that will start construction of a new operating room almost immediately.

The board also agreed to hire a new surgeon, who will start in early 2011.

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

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Today is the 69th anniversary of the "Day that will live in Infamy." In 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, drawing the United States further into World War II.

Read more about Pearl Harbor by clicking here.

Hospital board meets Tuesday in special session

Crittenden Health Systems Board of Directors will meet in special at noon Tuesday in the hospital annex board room. Directors will be considering the contract of a new surgeon and discussing a construction bid for a new $2.4 million operating room.

Kentucky playing Pitt in Birmingham bowl game

Pittsburgh and Kentucky will meet in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Jan. 8. Pittsburgh (7-5) finished in a three-way tie for the Big East title. The Panthers have had a disappointing season after opening ranked 15th and favored to win the Big East Conference. Kentucky is 6-6 after losing to Tennessee in the regular-season finale, but won only two SEC games. The Wildcats have been to five straight bowls. The Big East's representative has won all four previous bowl games in Birmingham, formerly the PapaJohns.com Bowl. That includes last year's 20-7 Connecticut victory over South Carolina. This is Kentucky's third bowl game in Birmingham's Legions Field. Wildcats coach Joker Phillips played in the Hall of Fame Bowls in both 1983 and 1984.

Christmas Parade in Marion

Christmas parade draws crowd in cold

The annual Marion Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon on Main Street. A large crowd assembled to see the nearly 50 entries despite the wind and cold.

The Crittenden County High School band served as the parade marshal. Also pictured is Santa and Mrs. Claus who punctuated the parade by riding a fire truck at the very end.

Building down on Main Street

A demolition crew tore down the former Dollar General Store on South Main Street today between Farmers Bank and Larry Orr CPA. The building is being razed to make room for a Farmers Bank's eventual expansion.

Stay tuned for more details in next week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Family pushes for sign to warn others

The family of a teenager who drowned in the Cumberland River last summer has spearheaded an effort to get a sign posted in Dycusburg, warning others of dangerous currents.

Nineteen-year-old Travis Conditt drowned on June 23. His body was recovered two days later only a few feet from where he went under while swimming with a friend.

Lisa Conditt, his mother, said the sign means a great deal to a family that continues to grieve over the loss of the young man.

“Hopefully this may save another life and maybe Travis’ death will not have been in vain,” she said. “We wanted everyone to be warned about the dangers of the river, that it can take a life.

“The river is to be respected,” she added.

Read more of this article in today's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Pictured are Tommy and Lisa Conditt and their granddaughter Skye Tercero near the new sign.

Local students prepare emergency video

Are you ready for another major winter storm like we had in 2009?

Crittenden County Elementary School's STLP students have put together a short video that will help are residents better prepare for a major disaster, including ice, snow, earthquake or tornado. They provide information on what needs to be in your emergency kit.

Visit the STLP Web site, click here.

Once there, scroll down to bottom of page and click, or go directly to video

by selecting the following link:

How prepared are you?

Vehicle enforcement class tonight at Ed-Tech Center

Kentucky State Police and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division are partnering with the Crittenden County Economical Development Corporation to provide a Farmer Outreach forum aimed at forging enhanced relationships between law enforcement and the agricultural community.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., tonight (Thursday, Dec. 2) at the Marion Ed-Tech Center. Topics of discussion will include safety regulations, licensing requirements and driver qualifications. This will help farmers and other commercial drivers to understand the regulations currently being enforced by state officers.

There is no charge for the class. For more information, call 965-9294.

Band to marshal Saturday Christmas parade

The annual Marion Christmas Parade will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday. The Crittenden County High School Rocket Regiment marching band will be grand marshal. The band recently advanced for the first time to the state semifinals in its annual competition. Lineup for the parade begins at noon on West Elm Street. Parking spaces along Main Street will be blocked off starting at 1 p.m., Saturday.

WMJL Magic 102.7 is the parade sponsor. Station owner Barbara Myers said the theme is similar to last year. This year’s theme Magic’s in the Music encourages floats to have music or singers on board. Livingston County High School band will participate and the Shriners will be back with their train. New this time is an entry by local health and fitness enthusiasts. Myers said a Zumba dance group will be in the parade and put on a show in front of the courthouse.

Pictured is the school's marching band during a recent practice.

Learn how to get your news published

The Crittenden Press and the Marion Ed-Tech Center are teaming up for their second annual Community Journalist Class at 6 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 9.

Open to the public, this class is perfect for recording secretaries of community organizations, church groups and corporations. Learn how to write and submit news releases so that your information is published in the newspaper.

Chris Evans, editor and publisher of The Crittenden Press, will be the instructor. He will dissect the newspaper from front to back to help participants better understand where and why the newspaper places articles.

Cost is $10. The tuition for this class is being paid by the newspaper for the first 10 to enroll. There will also be a drawing and a gas gift certificate given to one participant.

For more information, call the newspaper at 965-3191 or Jeremey Wheeler at the Ed-Tech Center at 965-9294.

Final registration tonight for Upward basketball

Tonight is the final evaluation and registration period for Upward basketball.

Register and have your child fitted for a uniform and skill level evaluated, which takes only a few minutes, from 6-8 p.m., at the Marion Baptist Church Family Life Center.

Smithland Bridge one lane on Tuesday

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to reduce traffic to one lane on the US 60 Cumberland River Bridge at Smithland on Tuesday.

The lane restriction is to allow follow-up work on the deck rehab project that was completed during the summer.

The Smithland Bridge will be restricted to one lane with alternating traffic flow controlled by flaggers from approximately 8 a.m., to 3 p.m. Work may extend into Wednesday, if required.

Motorists should be alert for slowing and stopped traffic on the bridge approach. Construction personnel will be working along the center line of the bridge deck in close proximity to traffic flow. Appropriate caution is required in this work zone.

This work is scheduled on a weather permitting basis.

The US 60 Cumberland River bridge at Smithland, also known as the Lucy Jefferson Lewis Memorial Bridge and the Smithland Bridge, is at Livingston County mile point 12.348. About 5,500 vehicles cross the bridge in an average day.

The Smithland Bridge opened to traffic in 1931.

Happy Thanksgiving

Drive safely, buckle up.

Have a happy Thanksgiving Day.

City looking for new raw water source

After a series of droughts raised concerns about the City of Marion's raw water source, local officials are becoming much more proactive in finding a longterm solution. Last week, geologists were in town studying an old fluorspar mine inside the city limits with hopes of finding a large cache of water that could be made suitable for drinking.

Geologists and city officials believe there is plenty of raw water in the caverns of the old Lucile Mine at the end of East Elm Street behind the city maintenance garage. If it is of sufficient quantity and quality, the water could be extracted, treated and distributed to residents.

Fears are that the current raw water source, Lake George, which is currently 12 feet below normal pool, may one day be unable to supply the city with enough water to keep residents happy.

Results of the geological study, commissioned by the City of Marion, should be available in a few days. Read more about this matter in today's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, on sale at newsstands after 3 p.m.

Pictured are geologists from the University of Kentucky examining data on their computerized field gear.

No school on Wednesday

The holiday weekend kicks of a little early with schools turning out Wednesday. There will be no school the rest of the week and many businesses and public offices in Marion will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Many courthouse offices will also be closed on Saturday.

The Crittenden Press is closed Thursday and Friday, but newspapers will be available normally Wednesday afternoon. Those coming in the mail will be delivered Friday because the postal service is off on Thursday.

Local businesses featured in Evansville paper

Barbara Wheeler's herb and antique shop and her son, Mike's furniture making business, are featured in today's Evansville Courier and online. See the feature by clicking here.

Midnight Madness cranks up local hoops season

Dozens of local high school and junior league basketball fans packed into Rocket Arena Saturday night for Midnight Madness. It was the first time the school has held a late-night event to kick off the start of the varsity seasons.

The Rockets and Lady Rockets open their seasons with a doubleheader Tuesday night, Nov. 30 at home against Union County.

Too see a complete schedule and to follow the teams all season, click here for CCHS Basketball Web site.

Saturday's event, from 10 p.m., to midnight, included introduction of players from Little Dribblers to high school seniors. Plus, there were shooting competitions, scrimmages and skills displays.

Landon Young, an eighth-grader, won the overall 3-point shooting contest and varsity player Thomas Scott won the hotshot competition. Laken Tabor and Aaron Owen were finalists, also, in each competition, respectively.

Midnight Madness tonight

The Rockets and Lady Rockets basketball teams will host Midnight Madness tonight as they gear up for the Nov. 30 opener.

“I did this when I coached in Marion and Christian counties,” boys' coach Brad Fraser said. “It really brought a lot of interest to our teams and allowed fans to come watch them before the season actually started. It also helps that the players get to have fun while doing it.”

Not only will the high school players be introduced to the crowd, but it will also give the little league traveling teams and cheerleaders a chance to be recognized. There will also be a 3-point shootout and five-minute scrimmages for the Rockets and Lady Rockets high school teams.

“We want to make this fun while sparking interest,” Fraser said. “It’s a really great thing for the community.”

The event will be from 10 p.m., to midnight with ticket prices $3 for adults and $2 for students.

Rocket Midnight Madness Schedule

ROCKET ARENA

Saturday - November 20

10:00 pm Doors Open / Selling Tickets

10:15 pm Performing groups arrive and sit together

10:30 pm Team Introductions (Cheerleaders make a tunnel)

· Lights go out. Fog machine creates fog. Light show & Spot light hitting center of floor

1) ¾ Grade Boys Travel Team

2) 5/6 Grade Boys Travel Team

3) CCMS 7/8 Grade Girls Teams

4) CCMS 7/8 Grade Boys Teams

Individual Introductions

1) CCHS Women’s Team

2) CCHS Men’s Team

10:45 pm Mini-Scrimmage – 5 minutes CCHS Women’s Team

10:50 pm Mini-Scrimmage – 5 minute CCHS Men’s Team

10:55 pm Little Dribblers Perform K-2

11:00 pm ¾ Grade Cheerleaders Perform

11:05 pm Full Body Fitness Studio – Zumba with Stefanie

11:10 pm Middle School Cheerleaders

11:15 pm Varsity Cheerleaders Perform

11:20 pm Full Body Fitness Studio – Zumba with Stefanie

11:25 pm 3 Point Contest

11:36 pm 5/6 Grade Cheerleaders

11:40 pm Varsity Cheerleaders Perform

11:45 pm Hot Spot Competition

12:00 pm Midnight Madness Ends

Area Death

Addie Bell Crawford, 81, of Salem died on Friday, Nov. 19, 2010. The funeral is Tuesday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Beauty and Beast appear on stage tonight

The classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast will be on stage tonight and Sunday at Fohs Hall.

This performance features a unique twist to the age-old tale.

The play is being produced and directed by Crittenden County High School students.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m., Friday and 2 p.m., Sunday.

Area Death

Christine Simpson, 93, of Marion died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010 at Crittenden County Health and Rehab. The funeral is Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Livestock market checks good, manager says

The office manager of West Kentucky Livestock Market in Marion says all outstanding checks made recently to cattle farmers are good.

Linda Edwards said Thursday that a few checks issued to area producers have not been cashed. She said no checks written by West Kentucky Livestock have been returned for insufficient funds.

West Kentucky Livestock Market, which operates the weekly cattle auction in Marion, is owned by Thomas Gibson, of New Albany, Ind. Gibson also owns the financially-troubled Eastern Livestock Company.

Edwards said the Marion livestock market's legal counsel has advised it to remain closed until the matter with Eastern Livestock is settled. Eastern is now in receivership.

Got a trophy? Call Robert Kirby for your mount

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Traffic accidents way up in county

There have been an alarming number of accidents in Crittenden County this year, almost 225.

The sheriff’s department has worked 104 wrecks, more than normal and 40 percent more than a year ago. Marion Police have investigated 73 wrecks and Kentucky State Police have investigated another 47. There have been four fatal accidents, resulting in the deaths of five people in Crittenden County this year. That, too, is more than usual. Fortunately, this county averages about two or fewer traffic deaths a year.

“We have had way too many crashes this year,” said Crittenden County Deputy Don Perry. “We can’t keep our reports caught up.”

There were five accidents Saturday in the area, three almost at the same time in Crittenden and Livingston counties.

Local traffic enforcement officers say speed and inattention are also playing a major role in accidents. Deer are not always to blame. Deputies and state police have told The Press in the past week that speeding is a pervasive problem on the county’s narrow highways.

Read more of this article in this week's full version of The Crittenden Press.

Unite 2 Read tonight at high school

The annual schoolwide Unite 2 Read program will be hosted tonight by the high school library. The featured book is The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body. Registration is from 5:30 to 5:45 p.m.

The event includes a variety of activities for the whole family, including computer games, obstacle course, mazes, crafts and a book walk. It is sponsored by several school groups, including FBLA, FEA, FCCLA and FFA.

It's free and open to everyone.

Area death

Floy Winn, 82, of Fredonia, died Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 at Crittenden Hospital. The funeral was Monday at Morgan's Funeral Home in Princeton.

City of Marion has positions open

Laborer positions available. Apply in person at Marion City Hall, 217 S. Main St., between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday from now until Nov. 19. No phone calls please. The City of Marion is an equal opportunity employer.

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Deer season opens in county

Judd Woodward of Crittenden County harvested this nice 14-point buck on opening day of the rifle season.

The season opened Saturday and runs through Nov. 28.

Crittenden and Livinston County are Zone 1 counties where the bag limit is one antlered deer and unlimited antlerless deer with the required permits.

Local livestock market affected by Eastern issues

Apparent financial issues that have prompted a federal investigation in Eastern Livestock Co., will affect the West Kentucky Livestock Market in Marion next week.

There will be no livestock auction there on Monday, said Ben Gibson, who was at the office Friday morning. He referred all other questions to the Louisville office, which has said it will make no comment at this time.

For more on the Eastern Livestock situation, click here.

Big Buck Expo tonight at baptist church

Southern Sound at Fohs Hall Saturday

Southern Sound will have a quartet reunion at 7 p.m., Saturday at Fohs Hall. All members and former members will join for a free concert. Marion resident Charles Brantley is a former singer of the popular gospel quartet.

Veterans honored with events today

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of November 1918, the Armistice was signed, marking the end of fighting on the Western Front of the First World War. From that event, we have what is now commonly called Veterans Day, which is being observed as customary today on Nov. 11.

J.T. Travis, commander of the Ellis B. Ordway American Legion Post 111, says this year’s service at the Veterans’ Memorial at Mapleview Cemetery will center on those men who fought in World War I.

“We’ve lost all of them now,” Travis said. “But we wanted to make them our theme.”

World War II veterans will be given time to speak about their memories of those men who fought in the Great War before them.

“It was a noble effort. They called it the war to end all wars,” Travis said.

The annual legion service will be held at the 11th hour to commemorate the Armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France.

The Mapleview service includes the Boy Scouts, Taps and a brief program by local veterans.

Crittenden County School District will also host a Veterans Day celebration starting at 8:30 a.m., at Rocket Arena.

The event will include a program and reception for veterans. The public is invited to the attend the event. For information, contact Holly White at 965-3525 or Teresa Marshall at 965-5221.

Students injured en route to school

UPDATE: The victims were high school juniors Taylor Keister and Bryce Willis, and middle school student Jayden Willis. Bryce was driving. Keister and the younger Willis boy remain hospitalized.

Three Crittenden County students were injured in a single-vehicle accident on Ky. 297 south of Sheridan early this morning. The accident happened about 7:30 a.m., as the students were driving a private vehicle to school.

Names of the victims are not being released at this time. Two are high school students and one is a middle school student. One female high school student and a male middle school student were flown from the scene by PHI Air Ambulance to Evansville hospitals. The third victim was taken by ambulance to Crittenden Hospital.

Friday night Expo kicks off deer season

Deer hunters will arm themselves with rifles for the first time this fall and head afield starting Saturday for the Kentucky modern firearm portion of the whitetail deer season.

To kickoff the season, there will be a free dinner at the third annual Buck Expo and Deer Hunting Extravaganza starting at 6 p.m., Friday night at Marion Baptist Church's Family Life Center.

Crittenden and Livingston are Zone 1 counties where the bag limit is one antlered and unlimited anlterless deer with the required permits.

Last year, hunters took 113,536 deer and more are expected to be harvested this season. About 30,000 to 40,000 deer will be taken this coming weekend alone.

The economic impact of deer hunting in Kentucky is estimated at more than $400 million annually.

Crittenden County’s Hunters for the Hungry is accepting donations of deer and money this hunting season. If you harvest a deer and would like to donate it, take the animal to Family Butcher Shop at 346 Rooster Lane off Ky. 654 North Monday through Saturday.

Hunters for the Hungry operates on donations, so please give to the organization when you donate a deer. Your contribution helps pay processing fees. The venison is distributed by the Crittenden County Food Bank at the former health department building each month. If you want to be part of Hunters for the Hungry, call 704-0435.

Pictured above is Rick Prado of Marion with a deer he harvested in the archery season. Crittenden County is well known for its trophy deer hunting.

Area deaths

James H. Young, 89, of Salem died Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 at Salem Springlake Health and Rehab. Graveside services are Tuesday at Mapleview Cemetery in Marion. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Billy Lanham, 58, of Marion died Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 at Crittenden Hospital. The funeral was Monday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Fifty bear cold in 5K fundraiser

More than 50 runners of all ages turned out in frigid temperatures Saturday morning to participate in the Jogging for Jenn 5K and fun run. The event helped to raise money for Jennifer McDaniel, a Marion resident battling breast cancer. Full results will be listed in next week's Crittenden Press.

Fall Back: Remember Time Change Saturday night

Remember to set your clocks back one hour before you go to sleep Saturday night.

The time changes officially at 2 a.m., Sunday.

Kickoff at 7 p.m., for playoff game

Tonight's opening round game of the Class A Playoffs starts a little earlier than normal.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m., as the Rockets host Bethlehem, a private Catholic school from Bardstown.

For podcasts, previews, statistics, rosters and much more, visit Rocket Football Online.

Gasoline prices spike amid fire, supply & demand

An online fuel price watchdog says gasoline in Kentucky could climb to more than $3 a gallon in the coming days.

"A small fire at a Chicago area refinery and a key move by the Federal Reserve has resulted in a large increase in wholesale gasoline prices," reports GasBuddy.com.

Wholesale gasoline prices have risen sharply in the last 72 hours, prompted by the fire in Illinois, a move by the Federal Reserve to inject $600 billion into the U.S. economy, driving down the value of the dollar, and yet another Department of Energy report showing healthy demand for petroleum amid shrinking supplies.

Gasoline in Marion rose to over $2.75 a gallon on Thursday.

Since the start of the week, gas stations have seen their wholesale cost rise as much as thirty five cents per gallon across several Midwest states, reports GasBuddy. As stations pass along their higher costs to consumers, it could lead to the highest fuel prices in 25 months.

"Unfortunately for motorists, we've seen quite a few events this week that have added significant pressure on gasoline prices to rise," says Patrick DeHaan, Senior Petroleum Analyst for GasBuddy. "Since oil prices have broken out of a well established range, I'm quite concerned we could continue to see not only oil prices rise, but gasoline and diesel prices as well."

Error in Press election coverage

The vote totals on the front page of The Press this week reversed the votes received by Donnetta Travis and Wayne Winters in the Fifth Magisterial District. Travis won the election with 59.5 percent of the vote. She received 429 votes and Winters received 292. The totals reported online and in the recap sheet of each precinct on the back page of the newspaper were correct. We apologize for the error on the front page.

Highway work near Sullivan next few days

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict traffic to one lane on US 60 in southern Union County on weekdays starting today.

Union County Highway Maintenance Crew is completing drainage improvement work on US 60 in the Sullivan community through Tuesday. Heavy equipment will be operating along the roadway on Thursday and Friday. Flaggers may be used periodically to facilitate the movement of equipment and materials as the work progresses these two days. On Monday, lane restrictions will be required. Delays should generally be less than 5 minutes. However, occasionally a few longer delays may be required during the movement and placement of equipment to facilitate the work.

Approximately 2,000 vehicles travel this section of US 60 near the Union-Crittenden County Line in an average day.

Three injured in accident on U.S. 641

UPDATED: Crittenden County emergency response agencies were on the scene of a serious accident on U.S. 641 South near the Caldwell County line at around 8 p.m., Wednesday.

Crittenden EMS, rescue squad and other agencies from Caldwell and Crittenden counties responded, including Kentucky State Police.

The highway was temporarily blocked but was open to traffic by 8:30 p.m.

Three people were taken to the hospital, two in critical condition. Brooke Coleman of Eddyville was driving the Pontiac Montana van. Her two children, Issac and Jaden, sustained serious injuries. Brooke was taken to the hospital, too, but her injuries were not as severe.

There was one vehicle involved. It was southbound and ran off the road and hit a concrete culvert.

Flu shots available for students, others

Crittenden County students can get flu shots at any of the three school nurse clinics. Standard cost is $25, but that can vary based on insurance.

Medicaid and Medicare can be billed for the vaccination, but not private insurance.

The shot is for the seasonal flu and H1N1. Children need parental consent to get the inoculation.

The vaccination is available to parents, siblings and even individuals without children in school. For more information, call the school nurse’s station at 965-9008.

Single-vehicle accident at Rosebud

Rescue Squad and other emergency personnel were called to the scene of an accident at Rosebud Curve on U.S. 60 East just before 7 a.m., Wednesday.

One victim was trapped in an overturned vehicle, which had gone off the highway. The victim had called for help on a cell phone from inside the vehicle.

Livingston Election Returns

U.S. SENATOR

Rand Paul (R) 2090

Jack Conway (D) 1792

Billy Ray Wilson (W) 38

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

Edward Whitfield (R) 2569

Charles Kendall Hatchett (D) 1307

STATE SENATOR

J. Dorsey Ridley (D) 2682

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

4th DISTRICT

C. Lynn Bechler (R) 1432

Mike Cherry (D) 2498

PROPERTY VALUATION

ADMINISTRATOR

Sue Ann Carver (D) 3089

COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE

Chris Lasher (D) 3002

COUNTY ATTORNEY

Billy Norwood Riley (D) 3043

COUNTY CLERK

Sonya Williams (D) 2980

SHERIFF

Bobby Davidson (R) 1797

Jim Wilson (D) 1666

James Rundles (W) 557*

JAILER

Benjamin "Benji" Guill (D) 3023

CORONOR

Andrew S. Fox (D) 3007

COUNTY SURVEYOR

No candidate

MAGISTRATE 1ST DISTRICT

Terry R. Stringer (D) 602

CONSTABLE 1ST DISTRICT

Dennis Keith Jones (D) 532

MAGISTRATE 2ND DISTRICT

Franklin Walker (D) 872

CONSTABLE 2ND DISTRICT

R.J. Nestle (D) 730

MAGISTRATE 3RD DISTRICT

Jimmy Brent Ferrell (R) 550

Larry E. Barnes (D) 318

CONSTABLE 3RD DISTRICT

Owen L. Hurley (D) 404

Robert L. Chittenden (W) 123

MAGISTRATE 4TH DISTRICT

Marvin L. Buford (D) 907

CONSTABLE 4TH DISTRICT

Phillip R. Ramage (D) 850

DISTRICT JUDGE

55TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

1ST DIVISION

James R. Redd III 2344

DISTRICT JUDGE

55TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

2nd DIVISION

Jill Clark 2422

BOARD OF EDUCATION

1ST DISTRICT

Ronica Woodward 520

BOARD OF EDUCATION

5TH DISTRICT

Michael "Mike" Joiner 666

MAYOR CITY OF CARRSVILLE

Deena J. Gerding 17

CARRSVILLE CITY

COMMISSIONERS

No candidates

MAYOR CITY OF GRAND RIVERS

Tom Moodie 141

CITY COUNCIL CITY OF GRAND RIVERS

Pat Gordett 147

Oliver "Bud" Hunt 142

Frank J. Buchanon 138

Brenda Lady 142

Dianne Bingham 139

Randell O'Bryan 93

Mark A. Stiles 66

Bill Huffman 132

MAYOR CITY OF SALEM

No candidate

SALEM CITY COMMISSIONERS

Judy Hodge 184

Jamie James 161

Stanley C. Wallace 155

Gary Allen Ivy 150

Janet Hughes 236

MAYOR CITY OF SMITHLAND

Joe Ward 102

SMITHLAND COMMISSIONERS

James M. Terry III 97

William "Bill" Mahan 97

Melvin "Bubbie" Martin 99

James L. "Jim" Woodyard 110

R-Republican, D-Democrat, W-Write-in

Election Returns - Crittenden County

Unofficial at this Time

12 of 12 Precincts and Absentees Reported

U.S. SENATE - KENTUCKY STATE TOTALS COUNTY TOTALS Rand Paul - R 56% 2053 Jack Conway - D 44% 1316 Billy Ray Wilsons - W 0% 0 U.S. REPRESENTATIVE - 1ST DIST. STATE TOTALS COUNTY TOTALS Ed Whitfield - R 71% 2535 Charles Kendall Hatchett - D 29% 889 KY STATE SENATOR COUNTY TOTALS Dorsey Ridley - D 2233 KY STATE REPRESENTATIVE - 4th DIST. COUNTY TOTALS C. Lynn Bechler - R 1435 Mike Cherry - D 2092 PROPERTY VALUATION ADMIN. COUNTY TOTALS Ronnie Heady - D 2670 COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE COUNTY TOTALS Perry A. Newcom - R 2294 Larry D. Hearell - D 751 Kenny Floyd - I 477 COUNTY ATTORNEY COUNTY TOTALS Bart Frazer - R 1530 Rebecca Johnson - D 1991 COUNTY CLERK COUNTY TOTALS Carolyn Byford - R 2796 COUNTY SHERIFF COUNTY TOTALS Wayne Agent - R 2908 COUNTY JAILER COUNTY TOTALS Rickey Riley - R 2028 Rick Mills - D 1365 COUNTY CORONER COUNTY TOTALS Brad Gilbert - R 2634 MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 1 COUNTY TOTALS Jeff Ellis - R 243 Danny Fowler - D 226 Helen McConnell - W 78 COUNSTABLE DISTRICT 1 COUNTY TOTALS Bobby Phelps - W 36 MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 2 COUNTY TOTALS Curt Buntin - D 503 COUNSTABLE DISTRICT 2 COUNTY TOTALS Loyd L. Patton - R 456 MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 3 COUNTY TOTALS Glenn Underdown - R 429 COUNSTABLE DISTRICT 3 COUNTY TOTALS Roy Todd - D 307 MAGISTRATE - DISTRICT 4 COUNTY TOTALS Percy L. Cook - D 271 COUNSTABLE DISTRICT 4 COUNTY TOTALS C.L. McDaniel - W 26 MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 5 COUNTY TOTALS Wayne Winters - R 292 Donnetta Travis - D 429 COUNSTABLE DISTRICT 5 COUNTY TOTALS Wayne West 456 MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 6 COUNTY TOTALS Dan Wood - D 447 CONSTABLE DISTRICT 6 COUNTY TOTALS Billy Arflack - D 437 DISTRICT JUDGE - DISTRICT 5 District Total COUNTY TOTALS Daniel M. Heady 73% 2650 C. Michael Williamson 27% 570 SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 2 COUNTY TOTALS James Eric LaRue 307 Barrett Belt 324 SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 5 COUNTY TOTALS Frank Pierce 208 Phyllis Orr 741 CITY OF MARION MAYOR CITY TOTALS Mickey Alexander 667 MARION CITY COUNCIL CITY TOTALS Dwight Sherer 711 Darrin Tabor 632 Michael Byford 667 Donald Arflack 669 James "Jim" Brown 681 Jared D. Byford 687 Andy Hunt 605