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.