Police searching for escaped inmates

MARION, Ky. -- Local and state authorities have launched an extensive search for two inmates of the Crittenden County Detention Center, who escaped from a work detail this afternoon about 1 p.m., today. The men are identified as Chase Bingham of Marion and Alonzo Jackson of eastern Kentucky.

The two males were last seen driving a gray Ford F-150 pickup truck on Ky. 2132 (Sisco Chapel Road) heading toward the Mexico-Frances area. The truck is a 2004 model, extended cab with no additional markings. The Kentucky license plate is 164-JVH. The pickup was stolen from the Kentucky Department of Highways. It belongs to one of the highway workers. The truck had three-quarters of a tank of fuel when it was taken by the two inmates, who had been on work release from the jail, doing work for the state highway department.

Marion Police, Crittenden County Sheriff's Department, Kentucky State Police and Crittenden County constables combed the area between Moore Hill and Frances Wednesday afternoon, but found no signs of the inmates.

Bingham, 19, is a county inmate serving a 90-day sentence for fourth-degree assault and possession of marijuana with just over 60 days left. Bingham is 6-foot tall, 240 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. Jackson, 44, is a Class D felony inmate. Jackson is 5-10, 165 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. A Manchester native, Jackson was serving time for convictions in Clay and Laurel counties for possession of methamphetamine precursors and theft by unlawful taking. He was serving an eight-year sentence with two years to serve.

Police do not believe they are dangerous, but they should not be approached. If you see them, call Marion Police Department at 965-3500.

Highway worker seriously injured

A contractor employee has been struck by a vehicle in Caldwell County on KY 91/Marion Road along the state project to add turn lanes for the Caldwell County schools campus just north of Princeton.  The individual has been lifeflighted out.  Indications are that the injuries are serious.

Police end manhunt

Local and state police ended more than a weeklong manhunt today when they captured Barry Beard, 39, of Sheridan. Officers had been looking for him since Beard missed a court appearance two weeks ago and a trial date last week in Crittenden District Court.

The suspect was surrounded by lawmen and a police helicopter shortly after noon Tuesday while he was swimming in a creek off Irma-White Road. He had outrun police Saturday in a wooded area near Sheridan.

See this week's Crittenden Press for details.

Area death

Hilda Dunning, 90, of Marion died Sunday, June 27, 2010 at Regional Medical Center in Madisonville. The funeral is Friday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Flags at half staff today

Gov. Steve Beshear has ordered U.S. Flags in Kentucky to be lowered to half-staff today in honor of a Fort Campbell soldier who was killed in Afghanistan recently.

Staff Sgt. James P. Hunter, 25, of South Amherst, Ohio, died June 18 in Kandahar from injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division.

Funeral services for Staff Sgt. Hunter are today in Winchester, Ky.

Two other Fort Campbell soldiers died fighting in Afghanistan on Friday.

Area Deaths

Travis Charles Conditt, 19, of Marion died Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in Dycusburg. The funeral is Tuesday at Myers Funeral Home.

Martha J. Babb, 61, of Owensboro died Friday June 25, 2010 at her home. The funeral is today (Monday) at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Water advisory lifted

The City of Marion's boil water advisory has been lifted.

Body found in river

The body of 19-year-old Travis Conditt, who drowned two days ago, was found at about 11 a.m., today in the Cumberland River at Dycusburg. Recovery crews found his body only a few feet from where he went under while swimming with a friend Wednesday.

Our prayers are with the family.

Boil water advisory

UPDATE: The City of Marion has issued a boil water advisory until further notice due to a main break near Five Star.

Bobcats play doubleheader tonight

Tonight's Bobcats' game time has been changed to accommodate a double header.

The twinbill starts at 5:05 p.m., at Guess Field against Farmington.

Area deaths

Melvia Crouch, 78, of Marion, formerly of Smithland, died Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at Calvert City Convalescent Center. The funeral is Friday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Ada Lorene Travis Slaton, 85, of Sturgis, died Tuesday, June 22 at Union County Methodist Hospital. She formerly worked at Marion Cafe. The funeral is Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Rescuers searching for missing teen

UPDATE: At 10 p.m., recovery efforts were continuing on the river at Dycusburg.

DYCUSBURG - Rescue personnel from several area agencies are at Dycusburg, dragging the Cumberland River for the body of 19-year-old Travis Conditt of Marion, who is believed to have drowned while swimming with a friend Wednesday afternoon.

Conditt and 19-year-old Jordan Wadsworth of Marion were swimming in the river near the boat ramp while two friends, Jacob Pitman of Possum Trot and Stormy DePriest of Benton were sitting on rip rap on the riverbank.

The boys had been swimming in the area for about 30 minutes when they tried to swim to a green buoy marking the river channel, about 100 feet from shore. Conditt was the first to reach the buoy, and as the two turned to swim back, he began to cramp. His companion tried coaxing him onto his back in a floating position, but Conditt went under. Pitman went into the river, but the victim was already under water.

Wadsworth got out of the water called 911 and tried to crank a small boat parked nearby but it would not start.

The boys had been swimming in that part of the river before, just three days earlier.

Rescue personnel say that with the water temperature of the river at 88 degrees, the victim's body should come to the surface within about 24 hours if he is not found sooner. The Area 2 Dive Team was expected to arrive and begin searching at about 7 p.m.

The Crittenden Press / Copyright 2010

Rescue personnel at Dycusburg

A man is missing in the Cumberland River at Dycusburg.

All emergency agencies in the county were dispatched to the river at 3 p.m., Wednesday to search for the person.

Details will be forthcoming as they are available.

Drug fighter Albro dies

Cheyenne Albro, director of the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force, died today.

He was a resident of Muhlenberg County, however, his fight against illegal drugs often stretched into Crittenden County. Local police and sheriff's department personnel say he will be sadly missed by law enforcement agencies here and throughout the Pennyrile region.

Highway work in Webster County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close KY 132 in Webster County this week.

The closure is to allow the replacement of several cross drains between Dixon and Clay.

KY 132 will be closed near the intersection with Bud Asher-Mooney Road. Work at the Bud Asher-Mooney Road site will include a cooperative project with the Webster County Road Department to widen the intersection turn radius to enhance safety.

On Thursday and Friday, KY 132 will be closed near the intersection with Free Union-Tilden Road. Work at this site is expected to be completed by Friday afternoon.

Motorists who regularly travel KY 132 west of Dixon in Webster County should be aware of this planned closure and make advance alternate travel plans. A marked detour for KY 132 between Dixon and Clay will be provided via KY 1340.

Flags to fly at half staff

Gov. Steve Beshear has ordered U.S. flags in Kentucky to fly at half staff today in honor of the supreme sacrifice made by SPC Blaine E. Redding of Plattsmouth, Nebraska. The Fort Campbell soldier died recently fighting in Afghanistan.

City council meets tonight

Marion City Council meets tonight (Monday) at 6 p.m., at city hall.

Area deaths

UPDATE

Dorothy Stalion “Dot” Duvall, 74, of the Mexico community in Crittenden County died Sunday, June 20, 2010 at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. The funeral is Thursday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Sherry Sue Brown, 68, of Marion died Sunday June 20, 2010 at Crittenden County Health And Rehab.

The funeral is Wednesday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Pat Holsapple, 76, of Marion died Friday, June 18 at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah.
The funeral is Sunday. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

George Edward Hodge, 87, of Marion died Friday, June 18 at Livingston Hospital.
Graveside funeral services are Monday. yers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Area Deaths

Inez Evelyn Robertson, 89 of Marion died Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at Crittenden Hospital. The funeral is Friday at Vanover Funeral Home in Clay.

Robert Eugene Conner, 76, of Marion died Tuesday, June 15 at Livingston Hospital. The funeral is Saturday at Myers Funeral Home.

Lane restriction on I-24

There is a lane restriction today on I-24 eastbound between the 49 and 50 mile marker in Lyon County.

A contractor will be doing some pavement testing and sampling in the area.

The lane restriction is expected to be in place from about 8 a.m. to about 3 p.m., today only.

Fiscal court meets this morning

Crittenden County Fiscal Court meets in regular session at 9 a.m., this morning at the courthouse.

Salem City Council meets tonight at 6 at city hall.

Traffic alert in Union County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict traffic to one lane on KY 109 in Union County on Wednesday and Thursday, June 16 and 17.

The lane restriction is to allow the replacement of a cross drain.

This work zone is on KY 109 between the 10 and 11 mile marker is near the intersection with KY 668 about 9 miles north of Sturgis. This is about 3 miles south of the KY 56 crossroads.

Motorists who regularly travel KY 109 in Union County should be aware of this planned work. Motorists should be alert for slowing and stopped traffic as they approach the work zone. Appropriate caution is required where equipment, flaggers, and maintenance personnel will be on the roadway in close proximity to traffic flow.

This project is scheduled on a weather permitting basis. In case of rain it will automatically move to the next working day until complete.

Rummage Sale Saturday morning at CCMS

Saturday is the second annual Jake Hodge Memorial Scholarship Rummage Sale at Crittenden County Middle School. The huge rummage sale starts at 7 a.m., and runs until 2 p.m.

Press seeks Spotlight on people

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 recently graduated, 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.

If so, we want to know. 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

Fire destroys home in Marion

Fire gutted the Fletcher home on South Main Street last night shortly after midnight.

Marion Fire Department responded the blaze at the home north of the new coin laundry.

More details as they are available.

Graveside service in Marion for Swisher

There will be a graveside service at 10 a.m., Monday at Mapleview Cemetery in Marion for Bob Swisher, 82, who died Wednesday in Paducah. Read More.

Area Deaths

Odie Raye Huff, 74, of Marion died Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at Crittenden County Health and Rehab. The funeral is Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Bradyn Elise Williams, 21 months, of Marion died Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at her home. Surviving are her parents, Mark H. and Carisa D. Wheeler Williams of Marion. Graveside services are Friday at Mapleview Cemetery. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Stout is not reappointed at MSU

Marion attorney Alan C. Stout, who has served as chairman of the Murray State University Board of Regents the past three years, has not been reappointed as an MSU regent.

Gov. Steve Beshear's office made the announcement yesterday.

Stout, 53, was originally appointed to the board of regents in 2004 by former Gov. Ernie Fletcher, a Republican. Beshear is a Democrat and Stout is a longtime supporter of the GOP.

Regents are appointed for six-year terms. Stout's term ends in December.

Gov. Beshear has appointed to the MSU Board of Regents Jerry Sue Thornton, a community college president; Harry Lee Waterfield II, a life insurance executive in Frankfort; and Susan Shaffer Guess, a bank marketing director from Paducah.

Marion native Swisher dies

UPDATE
Retired sports broadcaster Bob Swisher, formerly of Marion, died in Paducah today at Western Baptist Hospital. He was 82.

Swisher grew up in Marion and played football and baseball for the high school team. He was inducted into the Crittenden County Sports Hall of Fame 10 years ago and had served on the selection committee until his death. Swisher went to Marion High School in the 1940s and played on some of the best football teams in local history.

Swisher left Marion as a young man and made his name in broadcasting. He did play-by-play for the old Paducah Chiefs and later was sports director for WPSD-TV in Paducah. He had broadcast Paducah Tilghman football and basketball games in recent years.

Swisher had battled cancer for many years. It was largely due to his efforts that Sports Against Cancer events started in western Kentucky about 30 years ago.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 13 at 2 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Paducah.

Motorcycle rally this week in Cave In Rock

The Hog Rock Motorcycle Rally in southern Illinois will bring thousands of motorcycles through Crittenden County this weekend.

The annual event is held near Cave In Rock with live bands and motorcycle enthusiasts. Motorists should expect longer lines at the Cave In Rock Ferry this week. Hog Rock is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday.

The Little Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held at the Union County Fairgrounds will bring another surge of motorcycle traffic July 10-18.

Hurricane Camp Meeting opens

The 122nd Hurricane Camp Meeting, an old-fashioned outdoor revival, opened Monday night at the tabernacle near Tolu. Missionary and Marion native Steve English is the evangelist. There is nightly preaching and singing starting at 7. Dinner is available in the camp dining room starting at 5:30.

The Hurricane Youth Camp has 46 campers enrolled this year. They stay on the grounds all week long.

The camp meeting runs through Sunday.

Pictured is Evangelist Steve English being greeted by Anna Easley of Tolu.

Area Death

Former Marion real estate agent Franklin Hazzard of Princeton died Thursday, June 3. Arrangements are being handled by Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Accident on Enon Church Road

Crittenden County Sheriff's Department and Crittenden Ambulance Service are on the scene of an accident with injuries on Ky. 132 near Enon Church Road in rural Crittenden County. It was a single-vehicle wreck that happened shortly before 8 a.m., according to information available. The patient was taken to Regional Medical Center in Madisonville.

No more information is available at this time.

Baseball, softball seasons end

Crittenden County High School's baseball team lost 6-2 to Christian County Monday in the opening round of the Second Region Baseball Tournament. The Lady Rocket softball team lost 1-0 against Hopkins Central. Each was eliminated from postseason play. The Rockets had won their district baseball title and girls had finished runnerup in the district.

The Rocket track and field team has one entry in this year's state meet. The boys' 4 x 400 relay team qualified for state. On that team are J.R. Adams, Robert Cudnik, Andrew Freeman and Allen Kirk. Alternates are Max Busch and Lasse Thunbo.