Area deaths

Franklin Marvin Jones 68, of Crayne died at his home. Private services will be held Tuesday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Velma Ruth Richardson, 92, of Marion died Thursday, April 28 at Crittenden County Health and Rehabilitation Center. The funeral is Monday. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

U.S. 60 East closed at Crittenden-Union Line

U.S. 60 East is now closed due to high water at the Crittenden-Union County Line. Closure is a few hundred yards west of the Tradewater River Bridge between Marion and Sullivan. The road closed at 7 p.m., tonight.

Highway crews will be working through the night to use gravel fill to raise the road surface. If this effort is successful, the roadway should reopen about 7 a.m., Sunday.

As flood water continue ruse, U.S. 60 will continue to see flooding at several additional locations in Union County between Sturgis and Sullivan. At that point the highway will be closed to all traffic in the Sullivan area.

Due to the Tradewater River floodwaters already covering other crossings on secondary highways in the area, there is no practical detour for this section.

Law enforcement officials will be issuing citations to anyone who ignores road closed signs.

U.S. 60 closing at Union County line

U.S. 60 is expected to close due to high water at the Crittenden-Union county line at about dark tonight.

Water is slowly rising at the Tradewater River Bridge between Marion and Sullivan.

Water is over the roadway along the extended approaches. Due to the Tradewater River floodwaters already covering other crossings on secondary highways in the area, there is no practical detour.

U.S. 641 from the south will be the only major highway access into Crittenden County. The closure of US 60 will also limit highway access into southern Union County.

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Backroads Tour today and tomorrow

Marion residents can expect a number of visitors today and tomorrow for the annual Backroads Tour, which is held simultaneously with Paducah's American Quilter's Society Convention and Show.

There are vendors set up at Marion Commons in front of city hall and tourists will be traveling backroads, where water doesn't impede their visit, mostly in the Amish community.

Jury does not reach a verdict

A Crittenden County Circuit Court jury could not reach a decision today after deliberating almost three hours following a day-long burglary trial.

The 12-member jury told the court just before 7 p.m., that it was hung and could not reach a verdict. Cheryl White of Clay was on trial for allegedly burglarizing a rural Crittenden County home last June.

See next week's Crittenden Press printed edition for details.

Area death

Jeanne Carol Hodge, 58, of Marion died this morning at her residence. She had formerly served as executive secretary at the Crittenden County Education and Technical Center and the Crittenden County Economic Development Corporation. The funeral is Sunday at Myers Funeral Home in Marion.

Highways reopen in Union County

The following highways in Union County have reopened to traffic.

Ky. 141 is open from 11 to 19 mile marker, just south of Waverly.

Ky. 760 is open from 0 to 3 mile marker.

Floodwaters have dropped off the roadway at these locations.

State highway closings in Crittenden County

Here is an updated list of state highways in Crittenden County that are closed due to high water:

• Ky. 120 at Crittenden / Webster Line
• Ky. 365 at Crittenden / Union Line
• Ky. 135 at One Lane Bridge
• Ky. 135 at Tolu Bridge
• Ky. 135 at Sawmill Hollow
• Ky. 387 at Dam 50 Entrance
• Ky. 1917 Between 1 and 2 Mile Markers
• Ky. 91 Below 135 Intersection (near Ferry)
• Ky. 132 at Crittenden / Webster Line

Also, U.S. 60 is closed to through traffic at Smithland

No through traffic allowed in Smithland

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and emergency agencies are maintaining a detour corridor for local traffic only around U.S. 60 in Smithland.

Livingston County Sheriff and Emergency Management have closed Court Street and Mill Street between U.S. 60 and the Ohio River. There should be no traffic on any streets between U.S. 60 (Adair Street) and the Smithland Riverfront.

The sheriff is asking motorists to avoid the lower part of Smithland unless they are directly involved in flood fighting efforts. This is for the safety of emergency workers and volunteers involved in sand bagging operations along the Smithland levee.

All through traffic between Marion and Paducah should detour via U.S. 641 and Interstate 24 through Eddyville.

Area death

Douglas Adams, 83, of Marion died Tuesday. A graveside service is at 11 a.m., Friday at Hurricane Cemetery.

Fire badly damages home

Lightning is believed to blame for a fire at a home at 321 Poplar Street in Marion Tuesday night.

Marion Fire Department was dispatched to the blaze at 10:40 p.m., and firemen were on the scene until 1:30 a.m., this morning.

Fire Chief Red Howton said no one was home when the blaze broke out. Two front rooms were destroyed by fire and heat and smoke damaged the rest of the house, the chief said.

"We're not sure, but we think it was lightning," Howton said regarding the cause.

The home belongs to Doug Wallace.

Oil spill causing problems on 120 and 641

Kentucky Department of Highways crews are putting down sand on Ky. 120 from the Webster County Line to Marion and on U.S. 641 from Marion to the Caldwell County Line where an oily substances has apparently spilled from a cargo truck.

The roadway is slick in some areas and motorists should exercise caution.

This is the third time in recent weeks that road crews have been dispatched to solve issues regarding oily, slick substances on area highways. The cause of these spills has not been identified.

Kenergy offers flood safety tips

Kenergy Corp., the local power company, urges its customers to take the following precautions due to floodwaters:

• If water enters your home or business, disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Disconnect all power by pulling or turning off the main breaker in your main panel.
• If water comes into contact with electrical outlets or appliances or you are forced to evacuate due to floodwaters, call Kenergy at 800-844-4832 to have your meter pulled. Call the same number to have your service reconnected after flooding has subsided.

Ky. 120 near county line closing today

State highway Ky. 120 will be closed later today near the Crittenden-Webster County Line where backwater from the Tradewater River is already starting to creep over the road.

Heath Martin, local highway department supervisor, said the road is passable this morning, but as the water gets deeper, the road will be shut off to traffic.

The photograph was taken by Taylor Davis of Marion across Lake George Tuesday evening as a storm passed south of town.

James Elder, who originally hails from Livingston County but now lives in Paducah, has posted several flood pictures from the area on his personal blog. Click here to see it.

Almost 8.5 inches of rain in 5 days

April has left 12.66 inches of rain on Crittenden County so far. March and February were wet, too, dropping 10.92 inches of precipitation. In five months before February, the county received a total of just 12.3 inches of precipitation.

Crittenden County Rainfall

April 19 1.61

April 20 0.42

April 21 0.00

April 22 0.72

April 23 1.36

April 24 2.44

April 25 0.73

April 26 1.19

8 Day Total 8.47

For details about how the heavy rains and flooding are affecting Crittenden Countians from farmers to homeowners, see this week's printed edition of The Press, which will be on newsstands after 3 p.m., today.

Chamber luncheon is tomorrow

Phillip Van Hooser, a nationally known motivational speaker, will be the featured guest at this week’s Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce quarterly luncheon sponsored by Farmers Bank and Trust Company.

Van Hooser, who lives in Princeton, has been sought for the past 20-plus years by companies large and small throughout the U.S. and around the globe to provide solutions for the leadership development issues their people face, according to his Web site. Van Hooser helps organizations achieve new levels of success and profitability through focused attention on developing their leaders, said Chris Cook, vice president at Farmers Bank.

Cook said the bank has made arrangements for the meal to include what’s being billed as a “Taste of Marion.” There will be ham, side dishes, breads and desserts from local restaurants and delis.

The event will be held at the newly dedicated First Cumberland Presbyterian Church Family Center. It will be the first public event held there. The event is at noon Thursday. Lunch is free. Cost of the luncheon is being underwritten by Farmers Bank.

Two storm bands moving through county

Crittenden County is under a severe thunderstorm warning until 11 p.m., tonight.

Another band of severe storms is expected to move through between 4 and 10 a.m., tomorrow.

These storms are capable of producing high winds, tornados and hail.

Forecast: Ohio to crest at 55 feet

The Ohio River is now projected to crest early next week at 55 feet as measured at Shawneetown, Ill.

Below are the historical high crests of the river at Shawneetown:

1) 65.64 ft on Jan. 30, 1937

2) 55.60 ft on March 14, 1945

3) 55.30 ft on Jan. 19, 1950

4) 54.60 ft on March 20, 1964

5) 54.40 ft on March 12, 1997

Pictured are volunteers sandbagging this afternoon at Smithland.

Today's Crittenden County road closings

UPDATE: More roads added:

COUNTY ROADS

Hebron Church

Emmaus Church

Dycus

Axel Creek

Charlie May

Monroe Wesmoland

Enon Church

Phin Croft

Providence

Cool Springs

Blackburn Church

Blackford Church

Weston

Bells Mines

Barnett Chapel

Elizabethtown Landing

Claylick Creek

Gum Creek

STATE & FEDERAL

HIGHWAYS

Ky. 135 Ky. 1917

Ky. 132 Ky. 91 North

U.S. 60 at Smithland

Storm damage in Marion early this morning

High winds did damage to homes, outbuildings and uprooted several trees early this morning in Marion. Much of the damage is isolated around North Weldon, North Main and North College streets. Power was out to several Kentucky Utilities customers overnight, but most has been restored. Crews are still out working on damaged lines in the city.

Trees were down and the flag pole was damaged at Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of North Weldon and Travis streets (pictured at right).

Trees were blown down across Ky. 295 between Dycusburg and Eddyville after midnight. Crews have the highway open now.

In Tolu, residents began evacuating yesterday afternoon. The Ohio River is expected to crest near 57 feet sometime next week.

Livingston schools out; evacuation continues

In Livingston County, there is no school today because of flooding. Also, residents in Smithland continue to evacuate. Officials have ordered a mandatory evacuation there by 10 a.m., tomorrow.

In Crittenden County, officials are encouraging residents along flood-prone areas of the Ohio River to voluntarily seek higher ground.

U.S. 60 closing at Smithland Tuesday morning

U.S. 60 will be closed to through traffic in Smithland starting at 7 a.m., Tuesday. Detour signs will be posted in Marion and Paducah. The highway will be closed until flood waters recede.

Closing the highway is necessary to allow placement of sandbags on the levee in Smithland, according to Keith Todd of the Department of Highways.

Floodwater is expected to be over U.S. 60 in multiple locations near Smithland later this week.

State of Emergency declared in county

Crittenden County Judge-Executive has declared a State of Emergency in the county due to rising river levels and flooding. Flash floods have damaged public and private property already and the forecast is for more rain.

Emergency Management Director Greg Rushing said today that the Ohio River is not expected to crest for another week. The river level will reach about 57 feet before it stops rising. That will be near record flood levels, Rushing said. The Ohio River was 13 feet above flood stage Monday, as measured at Shawneetown, Ill.

Here are lists of state and county roads closed at this time due to high water:

COUNTY ROADS

Axel Creek

Charlie May

Monroe Wesmoland

Enon Church

Phin Croft

Providence

Cool Springs

Blackburn Church

Blackford Church

Weston

Bells Mines

Barnett Chapel

Elizabethtown Landing

STATE HIGHWAYS

Ky. 135 from Tolu to Elizabethtown Landing Road

Ky. 1917

Ky. 132

Ky. 91 North

Pictured above are Emergency Management Director Greg Rushing and Judge-Executive Perry Newcom at the river landing in Dycusburg this morning.

Agencies meet about local flooding

Several Crittenden County agencies will be meeting at 2 p.m., today at the county judge-executive's office to discuss rising flood waters and to make preparations for possible evacuations of some areas along the Ohio and Cumberland rivers.

River expected to rise later this week

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom is meeting today with local Emergency Management Director Greg Rushing and Red Cross Coordinator Geraldine Shouse to discuss the possibility of evacuations of county residents along the Ohio and Cumberland rivers as waters continue to rise.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Roads closed in areas NE of Crittenden

Commuters heading toward Evansville, Henderson, Morganfield or Madisonville could encounter flooded roadways today. Here is a list from the Transportation Cabinet of roads closed in Union, Webster and Henderson counties.

Henderson County:
KY 136 from 0 to 10 mile marker
KY 268 from 3 to 8 mile marker
KY 414 entire road closed
KY 3522 entire road closed
KY 812 from 2 to 5 mile marker
KY 811 from 3 to 6 mile marker
KY 1557 from 2 to 4 mile marker
KY 2247 from 0 to 1 mile marker
KY 1299 from 5 to 7 mile marker
KY 268 from 0 to 1 mile marker
US 60 closed due to flooding in Union Co from 0 to 3 mile marker
KY 2247 from 0 to 2 mile marker
KY 2183 high water from 2 to 3 mile marker
KY 416 high water from 0 to 4 mile marker
KY 2260 high water from 3 to 4 mile marker

Union County;
KY 130 from 15.8 to 16 mile marker
KY 667 closed from 1 to 16.5 mile marker
KY 668 from 0 to 1.4 mile marker
KY 871 from 3.5 to 5.6 mile marker
KY 1452 from 0 to 2 mile marker
KY 1508 from 3 to 6 mile marker
KY 1637 from 0 to 3 mile marker
US 60 closed in Sturgis between 9th and Main and 12th and Main
US 60 from 21 to Henderson Co. line
KY 1177 high water from 1.5 to 2.5 mile marker
KY 923 from 3.2 to 2 mile marker
KY 492 from 9 to 10.5 mile marker
KY 141 from 11.3 to 19 mile marker
KY 360 from 5.4 to 7.3 mile marker

Webster County:
KY 132 from 12 to 13 mile marker
KY 2837 from 1 to 2 mile marker
KY 143 from 4 to 5 mile marker
KY 132 from 0 to 1 mile marker
KY 120 high water from 10.2 to 10.6 mile marker
KY 132 high water from 3 to 5 mile marker

Flash Flood Watch

Crittenden and all surrounding counties are under a flash flood watch today. Crittenden has received 4.5 inches of rain over the past three days with the possibility of another 7 inches this week.

Many area roads are covered with high water as creeks and other small tributaries of the Cumberland, Ohio and Tradewater rivers continue to rise.

High water affecting schools, travel

Several area schools and roads are closed due to flash flooding. Livingston County schools are reporting at 10 a.m., this morning. Crittenden County students are already arriving on time with no delays today.

The National Weather Service sasy people in western Kentucky should prepare for catastrophic flooding in the coming days. Stay tuned for more details.

Area death

Visitation for Martyne Sivells Parker is from 4-8 p.m., tonight at Morgan's Funeral Home in Princeton. Parker died Saturday. Funeral services are at 1 p.m., Monday.

Area Death

Lois BeBout, 93, of Marion died this morning at Calvert City Convalescent Center. The funeral is Tuesday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Woman released from hospital after wreck

A Crittenden County woman was treated and released from Crittenden Hospital following a single-vehicle accident on U.S. 60 East in the Rosebud area just before noon today.

Jessica Solomon, 27, of Marion was driving a 2003 Ford Sports Trac eastbound when she failed to negotiate a curve, according to state police reports.

Solomon lost control of the vehicle and it exited the right side of the roadway. The vehicle traveled down an earthen embankment and came to rest on the passenger side. Solomon was transported via ambulance to the Crittenden County Hospital. She was wearing a seatbelt.

Ferry closed for high water

The Cave In Rock Ferry is closed due to high water on the Ohio River.

Based on the river forecast, the river is not likely to fall to operational levels until around April 24.

The ferry normally operates from 6:00 a.m. to 9:40 p.m., 7 days a week. The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day.

Water over River Road in Livingston

Ky. 137, also known as River Road, in Livingston County is closed due to high water. Water is over the highway in two places. Signs are up at appropriate locations near Ky. 133 and Ky. 1436. Motorists should be alert for floodwaters over highways along the Ohio River and associated tributaries. Motorists who encounter water over roadways in areas not marked by signs should take note of the specific location and immediately report it to their local 911 emergency call center.

Ferry closed due to wind

Cave In Rock Ferry is closed today due to high winds.

Deadline tomorrow for Distinguished nominations

Crittenden County School District seeks nominations for its inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award to be presented as part of commencement services May 27. Nominees must be out of high school 10 years and must have attained a degree of success in a particular field or profession. Deadline to nominate a graduate is Friday, April 15. Nomination forms are available at The Crittenden Press, Board of Education office or online at www.the-press.com/DistinguishedAlumni.pdf.

Food needs help to get big grant

Crittenden County Food Bank is hoping that local contributions will help it take advantage of greater donations from the Alan Shawn Feinstein Challenge.

For the 14th straight year, Feinstein will divide $1 million among hunger fighting agencies nationwide using it to help them raise funds through the end of this month.

Minnie Lou Brown, a volunteer for the local food bank, said local donors can see their contributions increased two and threefold by donating to the Crittenden County Food Bank by April 30.

“We need to make churches, schools and businesses aware that the more donations we get, the more of the Feinstein Challenge money we will get,” Brown said.

Only donations or pledges received before the end of April can be used to access Feinstein challenge grant funds, Brown said.

Donations can include cash, checks and food items or pledges, as long as they were obtained only for use in the Feinstein challenge.

The organization will donate $1 million to be divided proportionately among all agencies complying with the challenge rules, Brown said.

Feinstein’s past challenges to fight hunger have raised over $1 billion for over 2,000 agencies and houses of worship nationwide helping the needy.

Play stirs Christian passions

Marion Baptist Church presents its annual Passion Play, the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, at 7 p.m., Friday and Sunday evenings at the church sanctuary.

The play stirs not only emotions of those viewing it, but it touches the souls of the cast and crew as well. See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for a backstage conversation with those who have portrayed Jesus during the seven years the church has produced the play.

This week's Press is due out on newsstands after 3 p.m., today.

Monday deadline to register

Kentuckians who wish to vote in the upcoming May 17 primary election only have less than a week to register.

The deadline to register for the upcoming May primary is Monday. County Clerks’ offices throughout Kentucky will accept voter registration cards until the close of business that day. The clerk's office closes at 4:30 p.m.

A postmark of April 18 is also required for all mail-in voter registration applications. Registration cards can be obtained online at www.vote.ky.gov/register.

Blood drive today behind hospital

A West Kentucky Regional Blood Center blood drive will be held from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., today (Monday) in the blood mobile located on the lot behind Crittenden Health Systems. This is a new location due to hospital construction. Each donor will receive a T-shirt. For each pint of blood, a $5 donation will give to the Crittenden County Relay for Life.

Power out on Sturgis Road

Power, phone and cable television service is out to some residents and businesses along Sturgis Road this morning because a tractor trailer has knocked down utility poles.

Crews are on the scene at this hour working to secure the area and restore services. The accident happened near Henry and Henry Monuments shortly after 8 a.m.

Longer school days April 11-18

Crittenden County School District reminds parents and the community that students will be in class 30 minutes longer each day for six consecutive days, starting Monday and ending on Monday, April 18.

School will be dismissed at 3:30 p.m., to help make up for days missed due to snow and the day taken off for the Sweet 16 Basketball Tournament. The last day of school is May 24. Teachers’ last day is May 27 and gradu

Noted Amish author coming next week

Noted author Wanda Brunstetter will host a book signing event from 1-3 p.m., Thursday, April 14 at the Marion Woman’s Club on East Carlisle Street. Brustetter is widely regarded as one of the top writers of Amish fiction. She will also be doing research for her series Kentucky Brothers while she is in Crittenden County.

School seeks 'Distinguished' nominations

Crittenden County School District seeks nominations for its inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award to be presented as part of commencement services May 27. Nominees must be out of high school 10 years and must have attained a degree of success in a particular field or profession. Deadline to nominate a graduate is Friday, April 15. Nomination forms are available at The Crittenden Press, Board of Education office or online at www.the-press.com/DistinguishedAlumni.pdf.

Ferry closed today

Cave In Rock Ferry is closed due to high winds on the Ohio River. The ferry also closed for at time earlier this week due to high winds. It will resume operation when the winds subside.

Crittenden WMA hinges on Fed's cash

The possibility of a state wildlife management area in northern Crittenden and southern Union counties along the Tradewater River hinges on a break in the federal spending impasse in Washington this week.

Congress is trying to decide how much to cut from the federal budget, between $30 and $60 billion, which could directly affect whether the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is able to buy the former Kimball/Alcoa property near Sturgis. The state has wanted to get its hands on the land for three years, since it sold to a North Carolina timber company at public auction.

The Crittenden Press takes a detailed look at what's at stake in this week's printed edition, which will be on sale at newsstands today after 3 p.m.

Area death

Geneva Mae Threlkeld, 79, of Salem died Sunday at Livingston Hospital.

She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church. The funeral is Thursday at Boyd Funeral Directors.

Historic farms survey today and tomorrow

A field crew from the Kentucky Archaeological Survey will be in Livingston and Crittenden counties today and tomorrow documenting historic places. The two counties have received a grant to identify rural, farm buildings and landscapes. The archaeologists plan to catalog these places and create a directory of things they've found. Their findings will be preserved among the state's historic record. Of particular interest are places that depict the community's farming heritage.

The group will be taking photos and inspecting sites. The weather, so far, appears that it will not cooperate with their effort today. However, Tuesday is supposed to be better with sunshine and mild temperatures.

Governor candidates here tomorrow night

Crittenden County Republican Party will host the Pennyrile Republican Dinner starting at 5:30 p.m., tomorrow night (Saturday) at the Crittenden County High School multi-purpose room.

Tickets are $20 at the door. Each of the GOP candidates for governor, their running mates, and nearly all lower ballot candidates are scheduled to attend.

For information, call 704-7063.

April 1... don't be foolish

Today, the first of April, is generally a day reserved for fibbers and practical jokers to practice their trade. Don't be fooled !