Winter storm monitored, expected to go north

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet highway engineers on snow duty are continuing to closely monitor the weather forecast this week, says Keith Todd, spokesman for the Kentucky Department of Highways. A major winter storm that will sweep across the central United States is expected to track north of western Kentucky counties with a winter mix that includes freezing rain and up to a foot of snow across Illinois and Indiana.

Kentucky highway crews will be monitoring the track of the winter storm in case the forecast changes. At this time, western Kentucky is expected to get mostly rain followed by light snow. Rain preceding the winter precipitation will prevent pre-treating by most Kentucky highway crews. However, crews will be on alert and prepared to respond once temperatures drop below the freezing mark.

Motorists should closely monitor the weather forecast for changes that may impact travel across the region. Even a small change in the track of this storm could substantially alter the forecast for western Kentucky, Todd said. Motorists who plan to travel cross-country this week, particularly those traveling northward into Illinois and Indiana, should monitor news media as they travel and pay close attention to the localized weather forecast.

Seniors, parents can attend college aid meeting

There will be financial aid representatives at Crittenden County High School from 9 a.m., to 5 p.m., tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 1) to help high school seniors and their parents complete and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Parents may show up at their convenience. Bring your Pin # (www.pin.ed.gov) and all 2010 tax information.

For more information, contact Jeremey Wheeler at 965-9294.

Conrad's Movie Machine has the latest releases

Before you get snowed in, remember to stop by and get a new release from the Conrad's Movie Machine.

Keep up with the very latest releases all the time at The Press Online.

Just click on the Movie Machine logo on the lefthand side of this page. Click here to go there now.

Area deaths

Clarence V. Adams, 79, of Jasper, Ind., died Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center in Jasper. There is a memorial service today at the Christian Church of Jasper. Funeral services are Sunday at Salem Baptist Church. Boyd Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

Lois Chittenden May, 98, of Hampton died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011 at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation Center. The funeral is Saturday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Salem develops plan for community park

Salem City Council discussed moving ahead on a Community Park development during its regular monthly meeting last week.

The ambitious plan calls for a three-phase construction project that will cost about $1.8 million. The project has been on the table for quite some time, and council members hope to kickstart development through an application for a Land and Water Conservation grant.

Salem has applied for state and federal grants in the past, but has been denied in recent attempts.

Phase one of the park would be the most expensive, since it will include a community center, commercial building and a parking lot.

Basketball courts and a picnic pavilion are part of phase two. A walking trail that will encircle the park is the major part of phase three. Also in phase three, are plans for tennis courts, a soccer field and additional picnic areas.

Salem Mayor Rell Peck hopes to begin soon excavating the site for phases one and two.

The community park will be located just west of downtown, off U.S. 60 between Salem and the Tambco Convenience Center.

School open 2 hours late today

Crittenden County school will be in session today, but will open 2 hours later than normal. Bus routes will be delayed on the same schedule, 2 hours later.

One man dies in I-24 wreck this morning

Snow-related traffic crashes in Lyon County this morning resulted in one death, and closed part of I-24 for nearly an hour.

A truck driven by Charles Sivells, 46, of Gilbertsville was westbound on I-24 near exit 40 at 7:50 a.m., when he drove across the U.S. 62 overpass, lost control on the snow-covered roadway and struck a bridge rail. The truck went into the median, hit a guardrail and came to rest. Sivells and his passenger, Clinton Sivells, 21, got out of the truck out of concern for their safety, according to state police.

Five minutes later, state police say a truck driven by Sherry Reed, 31, of Eddyville, crossed the same ice covered bridge and lost control. Her truck went into the median striking Charles Sivells. The truck continued forward striking Sivells’ truck and then the guardrail. He was thrown about 20 feet and suffered a broken left leg and other internal injuries. He was taken to Caldwell Hospital, where he later died. Reed was taken to Western Baptist Hospital with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.

New quilt block goes up in Mattoon

The latest, local tourist attraction has gone up on a carport in rural Crittenden County.

Neil Decker, a representative of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, hung the county’s third decorative, wooden quilt block last week on Virginia McDowell’s outbuilding in Mattoon, next to the old school.

Painted quilt blocks started popping up on barns, outbuildings and public facilities a few years ago as a way for Kentucky to promote rural tourism. The idea was inspired by an Ohio artist, who put a painted block on her family's barn in honor of her mother who had been an avid quilter. The idea caught hold in eastern Kentucky then quickly spread across the state as counties sought to draw curious motorists off the beaten paths of four-lane highways.

The state’s agriculture department got involved to help spur the effort forward. Crittenden County’s FFA class has been helping by designing, constructing and painting the quilt blocks.

The quilt block on McDowell’s garage is a “Mariner’s Compass.” The county’s other two quilt blocks are a “Carpenter’s Wheel” at Marion Inn at 2362 U.S. 641 and a “Barn Lot and Trees” at Crittenden Farm Supply at 312 West Gum Street.

McDowell, who is sponsoring the newest block, learned to quilt from her grandmother when she was nine years old. Her husband, son-in-law and grandson were all Navy men, and at one time, she had quilted the Mariner’s Compass design.

The quilt block is painted on a piece of Alucabond just larger than five foot square.

For more about the quilt block project or for an index of quilt blocks hanging on buildings throughout Kentucky, go online to http://www.quiltindex.org.

Snow creating driving hazards this morning

Western Kentucky counties have been blanketed by anywhere from 1 to 7 inches of snow across the region, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which has had crews out all night clearing roads. The greatest accumulation was in Trigg County, said highway department spokesman Keith Todd. Crittenden County received from 1-2 inches, depending on the area.

Much of the accumulation in the early hours was in the form of wet snow, Todd said, making it fairly easy for crews to plow off of roadways. Crews are working in conservation mode to help maintain salt supplies, so some travel lanes that would otherwise be mostly clear of snow at this hour may still be snow covered.

Motorists should use appropriate caution and allow extra travel time on the morning commute. Basic winter driving rules apply, buckle up, slow down, and allow extra stopping distances.

Fit Camp cancelled today at FBF

Full Body Fitness has cancelled its Fit Camp today due to the weather.

No school today in Crittenden County

There will be no school in Crittenden County today, Wednesday, Jan. 26. This is the eighth day students have missed this year for snow.

Twin Bridges lane restriction Friday

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict northbound traffic to one lane on the US 41 Twin Bridges on Friday.

All northbound traffic will move to the left-hand or passing lane starting about 8:30 a.m. The northbound lane restriction is expected to remain up until approximately 2 p.m.

The northbound lane restriction is to allow maintenance on barge hit detection sensors on the northbound bridge. Motorists should be alert for slowing and merging traffic near the KY 414/Stratman Road/Wolf Hills Road intersection.

The US 41 Twin Bridges, also known as the Bi-State Viet Nam Gold Star Memorial Bridges, are located at US 41 about a mile south of the Kentucky-Indiana State Line. They carry approximately 40,000 vehicles per day across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville.

Lady Rockets win region; advance to state

Crittenden County's girls' basketball team beat Lyon County in the Second Region All A Classic championship game Monday night at Rocket Arena. It was the Lady Rockets' fifth regional Class A title in 14 seasons.

The girls will play in the Kentucky All A Classic State Tournament starting Feb. 2 at Richmond.

Stay tuned for highlights and details at the Rocket Basketball blog, click here.

Upward basketball cancelled

Upward Basketball at Marion Baptist Church is cancelled tonight due to snow.

Area deaths

Glenn Eugene Joyce, 61, of Marion died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011 at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. Graveside services are Thursday at Crowell Cemetery. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Larry Pace Doom, 58, of Salem died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011 at his home. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Clifford Dale Krone, 79, of Marion died Monday, Jan. 17, 2011 at Crittenden Hospital. The funeral is Wednesday in Fort Worth, Texas. Myers Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements.

Faculty, staff not required to work today

Originally, Crittenden County Board of Education faculty and staff were going to be required to work a half day today despite students being out for snow. That has changed. Faculty and staff will not have to report today.

Lady Rockets play for championship tonight

Crittenden County's 12-3 Lady Rocket basketball is playing Lyon County (9-4) tonight for the Second Region Class A Tournament championship. The winner advances to the state tournament next week in Richmond.

Rocket Arena is hosting both the girls' and boys' All A Classic regional championships. The girls' title game is at 6 p.m., and the boys' championship, featuring Lyon County and University Heights, will be at 8 p.m., tonight.

Despite the snow, these games are still on schedule for tonight.

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No school today, faculty and staff will report

There will be no school in Crittenden County for students today, Monday, Jan 24.

However, faculty and staff will report at noon for a half day.

Area deaths

Robert Johnson, 84, of Salem,died Sunday, Jan. 23, at Salem Springlake Health of Rehabilitation Center.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time at Boyd Funeral Directors.

James B. Whitworth, 73, of Salem, died Saturday, Jan. 22 at Livingston Hospital.

There will be no services. Boyd Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements

Area Death

Dora Jean McDowell, 75, of Salem, died Saturday, Jan. 22, at her home in Salem.

The funeral is Wednesday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

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Tonight's Class A Tournament postponed; four games at Rocket Arena Saturday

The semifinal rounds of the Class A Basketball Tournament scheduled for tonight at Rocket Arena have been postponed.

There will be four Class A Tournament semifinal games held Saturday at Rocket Arena. The schedules is as follows:

SATURDAY'S SEMIFINALS

Girls: Lyon County vs. Dawson Springs, 2 p.m.

Girls: Crittenden County vs. Livingston Central, 3:30 p.m.

Boys: Lyon County vs. Livingston Central, 5 p.m.

Boys: Caldwell County vs. University Heights, 6:30 p.m.

CHAMPIONSHIPS: The girls' championship game will be held at 6 p.m., Monday and the boys' championship game at 8 p.m., Monday.

Highway department advises of hazardous conditions

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is continuing to urge motorists to avoid unnecessary travel today, and to be prepared for hazardous driving conditions across western Kentucky.

Highway snow-removal crews reported re-freezing of roadways overnight, particularly on bridges and overpasses.

There is concern this morning about the potential for freezing fog.

Highways throughout area starting to refreeze

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel overnight and be prepared for hazardous driving conditions on the Friday morning commute across western Kentucky.

At 7 p.m., Thursday evening, driving lanes are clear on I-24 and most area parkways. However, crews are reporting some signs of re-freezing, particularly on bridges and overpasses. Highways that have been cleared down to the driving surface that have not fully dried this evening are likely to re-freeze as temperatures plunge into the low teens overnight.

Temperatures below 20 degrees greatly diminish the ice-fighting properties of salt and calcium chloride, said Keith Todd of the Kentucky Department of Highways.

"That will make for particularly hazardous driving on the morning commute. The cold temperatures will severely limit the ability of highway crews to improve driving conditions until temperatures start to warm through the morning hours Friday," Todd said.

Motorists should slow down and allow extra travel time.

In addition, the low temperatures can turn something as simple as a flat tire into life-threatening situation. Motorists should carry winter-weight clothing and be prepared to deal with the cold temperatures.

No school on Friday in Crittenden

Crittenden County schools will not be in session again Friday due to the snow.

Snow creating fun, problems in county

Several minor accidents were reported in the area today as snowy roads have made travel difficult. Many businesses in Marion closed for the day or closed early.

Pictured here are some of the local residents who found some fun in the wintry precipitation. They are Kara Hatifled and her children Jaxon and Hattie.

Upward basketball cancelled

Marion Baptist Church's Upward basketball and cheerleading has been cancelled for Thursday night.

Area death

Kathryn Lee Day, 87 of Hampton died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011 at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation. The funeral is Saturday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Snow still falling, library closing early

Snow continues to fall after lunch time in Marion. Pictured here is Marion Mayor Mickey Alexander cleaning off the sidewalk in front of his brokerage business on Bellville Street.

The Crittenden County Public Library is closing at 1 p.m., to due to the weather.

Class A games postponed

The Class A Basketball Tournament held this week at Rocket Arena is postponed.

The Lady Rockets, who were play Livingston Central tonight, will now play at 7:30 p.m., Friday.

Winter fitness specials

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Roadways very slick, use extreme caution

Road conditions in the county and city are deteriorating rapidly as snow continues to fall. Main highways where pretreating occurred are better than side roads, but still very treacherous.

Use extreme caution, give yourself plenty of stopping room and go slow, if you have to be on the roads today.

School cancelled Thursday for snow

There will be no school in Crittenden County today, Thursday, Jan. 20.

So far, no snow days to make up in spring

So far, none of the snow days missed by Crittenden County students this winter will have to be made up in the spring, according to Al Starnes, director of pupil personnel.

In recent years, the school calendar has been designed with a certain number of built-in snow days. There were eight snow days included in this year’s calendar. So far, students have missed four days, so they have four more available for wintry weather before days have to be made up. The way it's looking, some of those might be used this week as snow is forecast for Thursday.

If students end up missing nine days due to snow, eight will be covered and one day would be made up on April 11. If 10 days are missed, it's the same plan except for the 10th day being made up on March 8.

When schools are canceled or even delayed, a great deal of thought and time goes into each decision, Starnes said. Once a forecast for snow has been issued, Starnes immediately starts tracking the looming weather. Once snow has fallen, school officials are out checking conditions firsthand.

Using a weather application on his phone, watching WPSD and staying in touch with the National Weather Service, Starnes is able to be on top of weather forecasts. Consulting with officials from surrounding counties helps, too. When it snows, the school sends an automated phone message to hundreds of numbers at once. You can also check here at The Press Online for closing updates.

For more, see this week's printed edition.

Oil spill causing problems on US 60 West

A tanker truck carrying some type of petroleum product has leaked as it traveled along U.S. 60 West in Crittenden and Livingston counties. Multiple automobile crashes have been reported as a result of the material being leaked onto the highway, creating slick spots. Driving is very hazardous, officials say.

The Kentucky Department of Highways has dispatched a crew to the area, which has been applying sand to trouble areas.

Appropriate caution is advised for all motorists traveling on U.S. 60 West between Marion and Smithland, said Keith Todd, spokesman for the Kentucky Department of Highways.

Area death

Clifton "Giggs" Guess, 81, of Marion died Friday at Crittenden County Health and Rehab. The funeral is 1 p.m., Sunday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Assault on smoking continues in Frankfort

A bill filed by House Speaker Greg Stumbo would make it illegal to smoke in a car carrying children, the Associated Press is reporting.

The Prestonsburg Democrat told the Lexington Herald-Leader that the idea for the bill came from a conversation with his wife, Mary Karen. He said they both observed adults get into a vehicle on a cold day with young children while continuing to smoke and felt there should be a law to protect the youngsters.

Opponents of the bill say it isn't needed.

Bardstown Republican Rep. David Floyd says it would open the door to needless government intrusion in every aspect of life.

Longtime water district manager dies

Donnie Beavers, 53, of Marion died Friday, Jan. 14 at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah after a short battle with cancer. Beavers was a longtime superintendent of the Crittenden-Livingston Water District, founding member of the local National Wild Turkey Federation and active supporter of Hunters for the Hungry. Beavers was also a major supporter of the Marion-Crittenden County Athletics Hall of Fame. He was a husband and father of two.

Visitation is from 5-9 p.m., Sunday and the funeral is at 11 a.m., Monday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Local miner hurt in morning fire at Warrior

One of two Warrior Coal Mine workers injured in a mine fire early this morning is from Crittenden County.

Eddie Perryman of Marion was only slightly injured when a surface drill rig hit a pocket of natural gas around 5:30 a.m, today at the Hopkins County mine. The gas ignited, burning the rig and injuring two workers. Perryman was operating the rig. The other miner hurt did not appear to have life-threatening injuries.

The workers were sent to the Regional Medical Center for treatment. Perryman was released but the other worker is being kept for observation.

Tomorrow is big barbecue day at downtown grill

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Proposed smoking ban hits home in Marion

With few places remaining to enjoy a cup of coffee and cigarette after a meal, Richard Cruce built his restaurant with smokers in mind. Since Just-A-Burg’r opened its doors on North Main Street in Marion a few years ago, ashtrays have been placed on the table tops alongside a staple of condiments.

The eatery is now one of the few places in Marion that welcome smokers. If approved, legislation introduced Friday in the Kentucky House of Representatives would make it a crime for diners to light up inside Just-A-Burg'r or under virtually any roof in the commonwealth.

House Bill 193, offered by Lexington Democrat Susan Westrom, would prohibit smoking in all public places and places of employment. The measure would outlaw smoking at not only restaurants, bars and most workplaces, but would set restrictions on just how close smokers would be allowed to light up outside of such places. All rooms at hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts would also be required to be smoke-free.

Kent Wilcox of Marion believes such a law goes too far. The 27-year-old smoker says business owners like Cruce should be able to decide their own smoking policies, not the government.

“If they don’t want smoking, it’s as simple as putting a no-smoking sign in the window,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox enjoys his cigarettes, but doesn’t like being around others’ smoke. Because of that, he tries to be respectful of others by stepping away when he feels the urge. He believes, though, that the options are simple for his and others wanting to avoid places where smoking is allowed.

“I have the choice to walk out,” he said.

Cruce says he built his restaurant with his smoking friends in mind, installing ventilation designed to keep the air cleaner. He attributes a fair amount of business to the fact that he allows smoking. Each morning, a group of men with few other places to enjoy a smoke with friends gather around a large table top, sharing stories and cigarettes with breakfast.

“That’s why they come in,” Cruce said.

Read more of this article in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, or subscribe to the full version of the newspaper online by clicking here.

December was a cold one

Average temperature last month in Crittenden County was below freezing at 31.1 degrees.

The average low was 24.6 andthe average high 37.7, according to the Kentucky Mesonet, which has a weather station near Mattoon.

The warmest recorded temperature was 64.7 degrees on the last day of the year and the coldest was 3.5 degrees on Dec. 14. There was 1.97 inches of precipitation last mont. See more at KyMesonet.com.

Senator speaks at Chamber event tomorrow

State Sen. Dorsey Ridley will be keynote speaker during a noon luncheon Thursday. The City of Marion is underwriting the Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce quarterly luncheon. The event will be at Marion Ed-Tech Center. Reservations were required for the lunch, but the public is invited to hear the senator's speech.

Cave In Rock Ferry reopen this morning

The Cave In Rock Ferry is open this morning.

It shut down Tuesday afternoon due to high winds on the Ohio River.

The ferry resumed normal service at 6 a.m. today.

The ferry connects Ky. 91 with Illinois Route 1 across the Ohio River between Crittenden County and Hardin County, Ill. It normally operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day.

School one hour late today

Crittenden County schools will open one hour late Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Buses will run one hour later than normal. School Transportation Director Al Starnes says that going an hour late, keeps bus drivers from having to be out on potentially snowy or icy roads before daylight. The later route allows for safer travel, he said.

School back in session on Wednesday

Crittenden County schools will be back in session Wednesday, Jan. 12 as long as there is no additional accumulation of snow overnight.

Cave In Rock Ferry closed

The Cave In Rock Ferry has closed due to high winds today. When winds subside, the ferry reopen.

No Upward sports at Baptist Church

Due to snow, there will be no Upward Basketball or Cheerleading tonight at Marion Baptist Church.

Also, the G-R-O-W Outreach team will not meet tonight.

Tonight's school board meeting cancelled

Tonight's working session for the Crittenden County Board of Education has been postponed. It will be rescheduled at a date to be announced later.

CCHS sports events cancelled today

Athletic Director Angela Starnes says that all school-releated ballgames and practices are cancelled today due to the snow and hazardous driving conditions.

Winter advisory still in effect for Crittenden

A winter storm advisory remains in effect until noon today across all of western Kentucky and southern Illinois, according to the National Weather Service.

Crittenden and all nearby counties are still receiving light to moderate snow. Accumulations are around one inch in places and up to three inches in some instances. Highway crews are out treating the roadways, however, driving conditions vary greatly. Snow-covered roadways will be encountered if you are driving this morning.

Transportation officials and police say that after about the third winter weather event of the season, the number of traffic accidents go up. After enduring a couple of snow events, motorists tend to get more comfortable driving in winter precipitation and become over-confident, said Department of Highways spokesman Keith Todd.

"That over-confidence leads to an increase in crashes as winter goes on. Be sure to buckle up, slow down and leave plenty of extra stopping distance whenever you’re driving on snow and ice," Todd cautions.

No school today in Crittenden

Snow has cancelled school for Tuesday, Jan. 11 in Crittenden County.

Friday is barbecue platter special at Italian Grill

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Area deaths

Vera L. Riley, 60, of Marion died Friday, Jan. 7, 2011 at Livingston Hospital in Salem.

She was a member of Repton Baptist Church. The funeral is Monday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Jack Dempsey Lewis, 49, of Marion, died Friday, Jan. 7, 2011 at Crittenden County Health and Rehabilitation Center. The funeral is Monday Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Sugar Grove Cemetery Association meets

The annual meeting of the Sugar Grove Cemetery Association will be held after morning church services on Sunday. Anyone interested in the upkeep of the cemetery is encouraged to attend this meeting.

Area death

Lemma Riley Parker, 97, died Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011 at Crittenden Hospital. She was born in Livingston County on Oct. 12, 1913. The funeral is Sunday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

U.S. 60 closed 6 hours due to wreck at Mattoon

UPDATE: U.S. 60 IS NOW OPEN (2:25 p.m.)

U.S. 60 East at Mattoon will be closed for approximately six hours starting at noon today due to an accident involving a tractor-trailer hauling anhydrous ammonia. A recovery team is en route to remove the anhydrous gas before the overturned truck can be righted.

There were no ruptures and no gas has been released. There is no danger to nearby residents. No one was injured in the accident.

Two detour routes are being established, one northwest of U.S. 60 and one southeast of U.S. 60. Traffic will need to use Baker Hollow Road, Ky. 654, Fishtrap Road, Nunn Switch Road and/or Ky. 120 to detour around the accident.

U.S. 60 and the intersection at Ky. 654 is closed in downtown Mattoon.

Pictured above is Mattoon firemen Russ Eaton and Trooper Darron Holliman stopping traffic in Mattoon shortly after the accident.

Rescuers respond to U.S. 60 accident

EMS and Crittenden County Rescue Squad volunteers were called to the scene of a one-vehicle accident around 6:30 this morning. The vehicle overturned near The Animal Clinic on U.S. 60 West. Two individuals were involved in the accident. Their conditions were not immediately known.

Highway crews spraying brine ahead of snowfall

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to pre-treat area highways in anticipation of light snow moving across the 12 counties of District 1 – including Livingston and Crittenden – over the next couple of days, and an additional opportunity for snow early next week.

Crews will initially concentrate on pre-treating bridges, overpasses, and other potential trouble spots such as hills and curves early Friday, then pre-treat additional areas through the day Friday as time allows.

Motorists should be alert for slow moving trucks and support vehicles on area highways as crews go about their work on Friday.

Pre-treating involves spraying brine on road surfaces. Brine is produced by pumping water through salt in a vat or generator. When brine solution is sprayed on the roadway the water component dries leaving behind a layer of fine powdered salt. That salt then remains on the driving surface available to be activated when winter precipitation first starts to fall.

Area death

Bobby Rudell Howard, 69, of Livingston County, died Thursday, Jan. 6, at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation Center. Arrangements are pending at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Main Street Italian Grill offers big barbecue platter

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Dead birds found near Murray State

State wildlife officials have told the Associated Press that "several hundred" dead birds were found near the Murray State University campus last week.

They said mostly blackbirds that migrate through the area during early winter months such as grackles, red wing blackbirds and starlings were among the dead animals. There were also robins.

New Year's Eve fireworks may have been responsible for causing the deaths of thousands of blackbirds in central Arkansas last week. The bird deaths have made national headlines.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources spokesman Mark Marraccini told the AP that someone called police about the discovery in Murray, and they alerted state officials.

Marraccini said tests performed on the birds ruled out diseases or poisons. He said the deaths could have been caused by weather conditions or another natural event.

Pothole repair makes I-24 one lane

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict eastbound traffic to one lane on Interstate 24 in Livingston County today.

The lane restriction is to allow the Livingston County Highway Maintenance Crew to patch potholes along the eastbound lanes of I-24 between the Tennessee River Bridge at mile point 29.352 and the Cumberland River Bridge at mile point 33.885. The lane restriction is expected to be in place from about 9 a.m., to about 1 p.m.

Motorists should be alert for equipment, flaggers, and maintenance personnel on the roadway in close proximity to traffic flow. Slow down and use appropriate caution in this work zone.

Relay team sponsors half-court shot tonight

Crittenden County Health Systems Relay for Life team will sponsor a half-court shot during half time of the second game in the Rockets and Lady Rockets doubleheader tonight at Rocket Arena.

Members will be selling tickets throughout the first game. Cost is $1 per ticket for a chance at winning $100.

Marion Auto Body reaching for Main Street

Marion Auto Body owner and operator Shannon Lain says customer service and convenience are driving forces behind an expansion project for the Moore Street vehicle repair business.

When Lain bought Marion Auto Body almost six years ago, he had plans to expand the business, but the opportunity hadn’t presented itself until recently when he bought property to extend his location eastward onto South Main Street. Lain purchased a house formerly owned by Theresa Fletcher, which burned last year.

"I've always had the idea to further expand my business," Lain explained. "It was just the matter of when, where and how. No one knows we're back here and by having a front entrance on Main Street, I'm hoping that our service will grow by 25-30 percent."

The expansion will give the shop better exposure right next to the new coin laundry and Marion Eyecare Center and across the street from Marion Pit Barbecue.

A need to keep up with advancing technology is also part of Lain's need for expansion.

"It's hard to try and keep up with rapidly-growing technology, but that's what we strive for – to provide top-notch service with up-to-date equipment,” he said.

Lain says new equipment will allow him to provide service for smart and hybrid cars.

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

Pictured above is Shannon Lain in front of the body shop.

Murray dies at Paducah hospital

Longtime school district employee Sharon Murray died Tuesday morning in a Paducah hospital from complications of a heart attack she suffered last week.

Murray, 63, had been employed by the Crittenden County Board of Education for more than 33 years. She retired in 2009 as assistant transportation director, but returned to the school district in 2010 as a part-time bus dispatcher.

UPDATE: Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday at Gilbert Funeral Home. The funeral is at 11 a.m., Friday at the funeral home.

Area deaths

John Alfred Atwood, 78, of Marion died Saturday, Jan. 1 at Crittenden Hospital. A memorial service will be held later. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Norris Wayne McCraw, 59, of Tiline died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011 at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.