Area death: Martin

Howard "Pluto" Martin, 69, of Marion died Saturday at his home. The funeral is Tuesday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Lady Rokets play Christian

Crittenden's girls' basketball team plays Christian County at 6 pm
Tuesday, March 2 at Webster County in the Second Region Tournament.

Lady Rockets fall in finals

Crittenden County's girls' basketball team lost a heartbreaker Friday night in the Fifth District championship at Marion's Rocket Arena. The Lady Rockets were defeated 48-46 on a Lyon County basket at the final buzzer.

The Lady Rockets have not won a district championship since 1985, the year coach Shannon Hodge was a junior on the team.

Crittenden will play at Webster County next in the Second Region Tournament by virtue of being runnerup in the district.

Pictured are the dejected Lady Rockets, who couldn't bear to watch as Lyon's girls received the district trophy.

Bremner expanding in Princeton

Bremner Food Co., of Princeton, one of the area’s largest employers, plans a $62.1 million expansion of its cookie and cracker plant on U.S. 62.

The state gave preliminary approval yesterday for a $5 million tax incentives plans to enlarge the plant. The expansion includes new product lines and increasing warehouse space.

Incentives are based on creating 111 jobs averaging $15 an hour and benefits. Bremner already employs about 600 workers.

Area death: Watson

Shirley L. Watson, 68 of Oakland City, Ind., died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Ind. The funeral is Sunday at Myers Funeral Home in Marion.

Wreck on US 60 East

State police and local emergency response crews are the scene of a two-vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer and a small compact car. Only one person was taken to the hospital by ambulance. It's unknown what type of injures were incurred. The eastbound lane was temporarily blocked.

Ramage obituary

J. B. Ramage, 87, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., formerly of Dycusburg, died Monday, Feb. 22, 2010 in Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro. Funeral services at 11 a.m., Friday at Lakeland Funeral Home Chapel in Eddyville with Dr. Mark Gregory and Rev. James Oates officiating. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home. See Press Online Obituaries for more information.

Lady Rockets advance to finals

Crittenden County's girls' basketball team beat Livingston Central Tuesday night, advancing to Friday's Fifth District championship game at Rocket Arena.

The girls have also qualified for the Second Region Tournament, which will be next week at Webster County.

Fifth District Basketball

The Fifth District Tournament continues tonight at Rocket Arena in Marion with top-seeded Crittenden County girls taking on Livingston Central in the 6 p.m., game. Trigg and Lyon play the nightcap.

On Monday night, Crittenden lost 44-30 to Lyon County and Livingston Central beat Trigg to advance to the championship game.

US 641 one lane

Highway crews will be working on ditches alongside US 641 for 4 hours
this morning. Traffic will be down to one lane.

Area Deaths: Lanham, McDowell

Reggie Glen McDowell, 53 of Troy, Texas, formerly of Marion, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. Among the survivors are his mother and step-father, Jo and Bill Robison of Marion. Graveside services are Tuesday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Phyllis A. Lanham, 58, of Marion died Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 at her home. Graveside services are Monday. Gilbert Funeral Home. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Home destroyed by fire

Firemen were dispatched to a house fire just before daylight Friday on Deer Creek Church Road near Sheridan.

The doublewide mobile home belonging to Barry Beard was totally destroyed by fire. Although Beard has three children, ranging in age from 2 to 15, none were at the home at the time. Beard and another adult got out of the house uninjured.

Crittenden, Salem, Tolu and Sheridan fire departments responded to the blaze. Pictured is county firefighter Mike O'Hare pulling firewood from near the charred remnants of the home.

Water District to discuss rate increase

The Crittenden-Livingston Water District Board of Directors met in special session Thursday afternoon in Salem. The board discussed its current financial situation, including debt load, and proposed several options for wholesale and retail rate increases to meet budgetary needs.

The Public Service Commission has not approved a rate increases at this time, but it has reviewed some of the district's proposed options.

The water district board will meet at 7 p.m., Monday at the district office in Salem with plans to finalize any plans for a new fee structure.

The district serves more than 3,000 residential customers in Crittenden and Livingston counties and it sells wholesale water to the cities of Salem, Smithland, Grand Rivers and Ledbetter and Lyon County.

Accident on Ky. 120

Local rescue and medical personnel are on the scene of a single-vehicle accident on Ky. 120 at this hour.

The vehicle ran off the road, about nine miles from Marion. It clipped a utility pole and overturned.

One victim was in the vehicle and that person was being airlifted taken from the scene by PHI Air Ambulance. No other details were immediately available.

Youth Baseball & Softball Registration

Crittenden County Dugout Club is now registering young boys and girls for the upcoming spring and summer baseball and softball leagues. Download a copy of the Registration Form.

Academic look at the Bible

Anyone interested in a one-hour academic study of the Bible's Old Testament should make plans to attend tonight's first in a series meeting by local minister Andy Walker.

Walker, a Church of Christ preacher, will lead this quick, classroom style approach to learning more about stories of the Old Testament. Although this is the first in a series of classes, you may attend one or all of them.

The class is open to the public. It's from 5-6 p.m., at Marion United Methodist Church's education wing, on the back side of the sanctuary.

SCHOOLS OPEN ONE HOUR LATE

Crittenden County schools will be back in session Tuesday, BUT OPENING ONE HOUR LATE.

School officials made the decision to delay Tuesday's opening by one hour after checking conditions early Tuesday morning.

Crittenden County students have missed eight days so far this winter due to snow and ice.

School decision forthcoming

School officials will be driving county roads after dark to determine whether to cancel classes tomorrow. A decision could be made between 6-7 p.m. Stay tuned to the Press Online for details.

No Upward Monday night

Upward Basketball at Marion Baptist Church has been cancelled Monday night due to snow.

Fire at Family Dollar

Marion firefighters are on the scene of a fire at the Family Dollar Store in Marion. A customer alerted employees to the fire, which started on the northeast wall of the store next to the former video store.

Marion Fire Chief Red Howton said firemen extinguished an 8-foot by 8-foot area of flames and are working to remove flammable merchandise such as toilet paper, paper towels and other products from the wall where the fire started.

The store was filled with smoke while more than a dozen firemen and police assisted at the scene.

Roads are hazardous

Motorists are advised to slow down and allow extra travel time today, according to Keith Todd of the Kentucky Department of Highways.

Refreezing of melted snow overnight has caused problems for highway crews by putting a light glaze of ice on many roadways that was quickly covered by light snow that has continue to fall, said Todd.

Falling temps overnight reduced the impact of ice-fighting chemicals. Driving conditions on “B” and “C” Snow Priority Routes are not likely to improve much until temperatures rise back into the mid-20s.

No School Monday

School officials in Crittenden County have cancelled classes on Monday, Jan. 15, 2010 due to snow.

UPDATE: All school-sponsored athletic events and practices are cancelled for today.

Prisoner missing from Fredonia

UPDATE: Inmate has been captured.

An inmate has escaped from the Western Kentucky Correctional Complex near Fredonia. Robert Hornback (pictured at right) was being held for first-degree robbery (possession of firearm by a convicted felon).

Horback is described as a white male, 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, brown hair and hazel eyes. He was believed to be wearing a prison issue uniform, which included a tan shirt, tan pants and a tan sock cap. He was discovered missing at 8:15 p.m., Saturday.

If you have information on Robert Hornback, contact the Kentucky State Police at (270) 856-3721.

Grandparents program at school

In Crittenden County School District, there are several grandparents raising their grandchildren, which is the basis for a new school outreach program.

"We have formed a Grandparent Group that meets bi-monthly," said Holly White, public information director for the school district. "The first meeting will be at 1:30 p.m., on Feb. 17 at Rocket Arena."

Any person raising children that are not biologically theirs is invited to attend.

"We cover a variety of issues and try to find resources for you," said White.

For more information, call 965-2281.

Delegation visits Frankfort

A delegation of Crittenden, Caldwell and Livingston county leaders were in Frankfort this week visiting with legislators like Rep. Mike Cherry (D-Princeton) in their offices.

With Cherry in this photograph are (from left) Crittenden Magistrate Dan Wood, Crittenden Magistrate Helen McConnell, Caldwell Magistrate Elbert Bennett and Marion City Administrator Mark Bryant.

Several other area leaders were in Frankfort, too. The Crittenden Press printed edition will have more details about the visit in next week's issue.

School in Session on Thursday

Crittenden County school officials say there Will Be School on Thursday, Feb. 11.

School will be in session at the normal time and buses will run on normal routes. WPSD-TV incorrectly reported Wednesday night that Crittenden schools were going an hour late. Repeating: Crittenden Schools go at the normal time Thursday.

No school Wednesday

School has been cancelled for Wednesday, Feb. 10 in Crittenden County.

Phone service disrupted in Tolu

Officials are looking into why phone service is out for much of the Tolu area.

AT&T has been notified.

School decision forthcoming

School officials are waiting to check area roads this evening after dark before deciding whether or not to call off classes for Wednesday. A decision will be made by 6 or 7 p.m., if at all possible, school officials said this afternoon. They wait until sundown to see which roads are clear and dry, eliminating a chance of refreezing overnight.

Closings, cancellations, etc.

Crittenden County Board of Education work session scheduled for Tuesday night has been postponed. It has been tentatively rescheduled for 6 p.m., next Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Rocket Arena.

There will be no school-sponsored athletic contests or practices today, according to CCHS Athletics Director Angela Starnes.

There will be no Upward Basketball at Marion Baptist Church tonight (Tuesday).

The winter storm that moved across the area overnight left snow accumulations ranging from 2 - 5 inches so far. This afternoon and overnight, colder air and gusty winds are expected to follow the snow, which could cause some icing and drifting on roadways.

Pictured above are: Aliyah Frutiger, 5, Marlee Sosh, 3 months, and Emma Sosh, 5. The photo was taken and submitted by their mother, Jenny Patton. Aliyah and Emma are excited about Marlee's first time in the snow near Dycusburg Tuesday morning.

3 inches and counting

As of 8 a.m., southern Crittenden County had received exactly 3 inches of snowfall. Slightly greater accumulations were reported in northern sections of the county.

Send your snow pictures to us for potential use online or in next week's newspaper.

Send to thepress@the-press.com.

Please include the name of the people in the photo, the name of the photographer and where and what is going on in the picture.

No school Tuesday

School officials in Crittenden County have just cancelled classes for Tuesday, Feb. 9 due to accumulating snow.

A county road department snow removal vehicle ran off of Brown Mines Road shortly after 8 p.m., injuring the driver. His injuries did not appear too serious, however.

Authorities say highways and side roads are becoming snow covered and very slick. Use caution if you have to be on the roads tonight or early in the morning.

State police bust Ealges

State police busted the Eagles Club in Marion Friday night, charging two individuals with the illegal sale of alcohol in a dry county.

The club on Old Piney Road in Marion has been the target of previous similar investigations.

At 7:10 p.m., Friday several troopers and state police detectives executed a search warrant at the private club. Police charged David P. Eskew, 61, and Judith K. McDonald, 69, both of Marion, with selling alcohol in a dry territory, and lodged in them the county jail.

Police say they found a large amount of alcoholic beverages, illegal gaming devices and an undisclosed amount of cash inside the club.

Area Deaths

Bobby Brewer, 73, of Marion, KY died Thursday at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. Services are at 2 p.m. Sunday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion. Visitation is from 6-9 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home. Masonic rites will be given at the funeral home at 7 p.m., Saturday.

Donna Ann Lester, 49, of Sturgis, died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at Livingston Hospital in Salem. Funeral services are Feb. 8 at Vanover Funeral Home in Clay.

Suspects identified; Channel 6 wrong, says detective

Local authorities and the Pennyrile Area Narcotics Tasks Force have released the names of the individuals picked up in a drug roundup this week. Those arrested face a variety of charges, including trafficking, complicity to trafficking or doctor shopping. The Crittenden Press printed edition will have details next week.

According to the drug task force, those arrested were: Catherine Nesbitt, 61; Gracie Nesbitt, 53; Sammy Gipson, 46; Kevin Gipson, 38; Rodney Gipson, 20; Samantha Jones, 19; Josh Jones, 21; David Bradford, 19; Kyle Tercero, 30; Sara Wells, 69; and Bradley McKinney, 36.

There are three indictment warrants that have not been served at this time. Authorities know the whereabouts of one of the suspects, but are still looking for Timothy Grant Adams, 25, of Marion and Jason Driver of Marion.

Det. Robbie Kirk of the Pennyrile Area Narcotics Task Force said WPSD-TV in Paducah incorrectly reported Thursday night that one of the men police are looking for, Adams, was in the Calloway County Jail. Kirk said the television station did not confirm its story with authorities seeking Adams and that the man they reported on is NOT the one police are looking for in Crittenden County. Anyone knowing anything about the whereabouts of Adams or Driver are encouraged to notify the local sheriff or police department by calling 965-3500.

Drug roundup continues

Crittenden County Sheriff's Department and the Pennyrile Area Narcontics Force continue to round up suspected drug traffickers in Crittenden County. The drug sweep, resulting from a more than one-year undercover investigation, has led to the arrest of 10 individuals so far and three more warrants are pending. Officers have been serving the warrants and arresting suspects for the last three days, following sealed felony indictments by the Crittenden County Grand Jury on Monday.

Most of those arrested or are on the list have allegedly been involved in manufacturing or selling methamphetamine.

As part of the investigation, police are looking for two individuals who remain at large. They are:

Timothy Grant Adams, 25, of Marion. He is wanted for questioning. Adams is 5-10 and about 170 to 180 pounds with blonde hair. Anyone encountering him should notify local police.

Jason Driver, of Marion, who is described as a mid-20s, white male, approximately 5-10 and 170 pounds with short brown hair.

Local authorities say they have arrest warrants for both men. Anyone knowing their whereabouts is encouraged to call the local police or sheriff's department.

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Drug Roundup

Crittenden County Sheriff's Department and the Pennyrile Area Narcontics Force are at this hour conducting a roundup of suspected drug traffickers in Crittenden County.

Authorities say there will be about 15 suspects arrested by the time they are through with the drug sting. Most of those arrested or on the list have allegedly been involved in manufacturing or selling methamphetamine.

As part of the investigation, police are looking for Timothy Grant Adams, 25, of Marion. He is wanted for questioning. Adams is 5-10 and about 170 to 180 pounds with blonde hair. Anyone encountering him should notify local police.

Drug roundup

Local authorities and the drug task force are at this hour conducting
a roundup of suspected drug dealers in Marion and Crittenden County.
Details will be forthcoming.

Almost gone ....

The winter's second big snow is almost gone, but here's another photo from a regular blog reader. Pictured is Meighan Koon. Photo submitted by her mom, Laura Koon.

Students Back to School Tuesday

Crittenden County schools will be back in session on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

Classes have been dismissed a total of five days this school year. So far, students will have to make up just one of those days by going to class on Presidents Day, Feb. 15.

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for more details on how snow has and might change the school calendar.

Upward Cancelled Tonight

Upward Basketball at Marion Baptist Church has been cancelled for tonight, Monday, Feb. 1.

High school basketball is on

The Rockets will play at Caldwell County tonight in a makeup game. The JV will play at 6 p.m., and the varsity immediately afterward.

Taking a day off

What will you be doing today with school dismissed because of snow?

If it's something interesting, send us a photograph.

Send to thepress@the-press.com