Tinsley crowned Miss Crittenden County

Jessica Tinsley, a Crittenden County High School 2012 graduate, was crowned Miss Crittenden County Tuesday night to kick off fair week. See the entire queen's court in this week's edition of The Crittenden Press, due on newsstands after 3 p.m., Wednesday.


Fair-goers this week will be surprised to find that the carnival is here despite not being on the original fair schedule. A change in the amusement company's schedule allowed the Lions Club to book the carnival at the last minute. Bracelets to ride everything will be on sale for $12 each night. The fair will also have the planned inflatables for youngsters.


Wednesday is family night, sponsored by Marion Tourism Commission, Conrad's and Farmers Bank. Everything will be free, except for carnival rides.

Livingston authorities looking for missing man

UPDATE: Man found okay in Salem


The Livingston County Sheriff's Department is requesting the public's assistance in locating a missing 20-year-old man last seen around 3:30 p.m., today in Burna.


Livingston authorities say Daniel W. Allen, a white male, 5'9" 145 pounds, argued with family members and hurt his hand on a glass door before leaving on foot. 


The Livingston Sheriff's Department with the assistance of Livingston County Emergency Management, the Livingston County Jailer's Office and the McCracken County Sheriff's Department conducted a lengthy search of the immediate area around Mr. Allen's residence with no success.  


If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Allen, they are encouraged to contact the Livingston county Sheriff's Department at (270) 928-2122.

Things to know about children and drugs

Back to school supplies

Josh Brown and Brenda Croft sort school supplies for the Back to School Celebration sponsored by County Attorney Rebecca Johnson today at her office on West Bellville Street. 


The county attorney has made this an annual event, providing all sorts of school supplies for children preparing for classes next week. School starts back Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Area death

L.G. Quertermous, 87, of Marion died Saturday at his home. Services are Thursday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Auction Saturday on Church Street

Big Change: Carnival now coming to fair

Crittenden County Lions Club has announced a last-minute change to the county fair this week.

There will be a carnival.

"Though there was not a carnival contract for the current year, the carnival company was available this week and requested to set up for the fair," said Zac Greenwell, event chairman of the county fair.

Since there had been some negative feedback about not having a carnival, Lions Club members decided to go ahead and allow the amusement company to set up as an independent contractor on the south end of the fairgrounds. The carnival will be open Wednesday through Saturday. 

In addition to the carnival, the fair will feature several inflatables as planned, plus nightly features and other games. The fair starts Tuesday night with the Miss Crittenden County Pageant at Fohs Hall.

"The inflatable attractions will be included with gate admission; however, the carnival rides will be an additional charge," Greenwell said.

The carnival will cost $12 for a bracelet each night. The bracelet allows unlimited rides. That is a $3 discount from the bracelet price last year.

Greenwell said fair-goers should understand that Wednesday's free family night will include admission to the fair, inflatables and other normal attractions, but not to the carnival. A bracelet must also be purchased on Wednesday night in order to enjoy the amusement park rides.

"Family night will remain a free night for gate and access to the outdoor movie and inflatable attractions thanks to our sponsers Farmers Bank, Conrad's Food Store and Marion Tourism Department," Greenwell explained.

There will be a walk-through gate from the area of the inflatable attractions to the carnival area, Greenwell added.

"This last-minute decision to add the carnival was in response to the polling numbers of the Crittenden Press Blog and the feedback we have been receiving from our constituents and other community members," the even chairman said. "Basically, it was a decision to provide an additional option for those patrons of the fair who expect more than inflatable attractions. The fair will feature the biggest number of attractions than any other year in recent fair history."

Area deaths

Alfred Ray Sliger, 77, of Marion died Saturday at his home. Services are Wednesday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion. Julia Theresa Barciszewski, 97, of Marion died Friday at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation Center in Salem. Services are Tuesday at the HeiligTag-Lang-Fender Funeral Home in Arnold, Mo. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is handling local arrangements.

Want more local history? Read it online

If you'd like to read more about local history, follow historian Brenda Underdown's online blog.

Underdown, a columnist for The Crittenden Press and author of multiple books, posted a new story this weekend about No Bottom Springs.

Read it by clicking here.

Underdown's column in this week's newspaper will feature the old Dycusburg School.

Hoppers eliminate Bobcats from postseason

Hopkinsville Hoppers beat Marion Bobcats 2-0 in the third and deciding game of the semifinal playoff series of the Ohio Valley Summer Collegiate Baseball League at Hopkinsville Friday.

The Hoppers advance to the three-game league championship series against Fulton.

Murder suspect brought back to Marion

Local authorities have charged Cindy Lou Hutchinson, 50, of Marion with murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, tampering with physical evidence and receiving stolen property (less than $10,000) in connection with the death of 89-year-old Jim Roberts of Marion.

Roberts was found dead in his East Depot Street home July 16. Neighbors said Hutchinson had moved in with the elderly widower less than two weeks before he was killed.

Hutchinson fled Marion in Roberts' vehicle and was arrested in Fort Smith, Ark., the following day.

On Friday, Hutchinson was transported from Sebastian County (Ark.) Detention Center to the Crittenden County Detention Center.

One-lane traffic next week at Henderson bridge

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict northbound traffic to one lane on the U.S. 41 Twin Bridges between Henderson and Evansville on Monday and Tuesday of next week.

The daytime lane restriction is for deck cleaning and maintenance work on the northbound bridge.

Northbound motorists can expect to encounter one lane traffic starting at about 8:30 a.m., each day.  Motorists should slow down and be alert for merging traffic on the northbound bridge approach. 

Bobcats ahead when game suspended Thursday

Marion Bobcats were ahead 6-1 Thursday when their second in a best-of-three series against Hopkinsville was suspended due to weather.

The game will resume tonight at Hopkinsville. The Hoppers lead the series 1-0.

Cornhole Tournament Wednesday at Fairgrounds

Crittenden County Lions Club will be hosting a cornhole (bag toss) tournament as part of this year's county fair.

The tournament will be held Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m., at the fairgrounds. Cost is $20 per team and businesses can sponsor their own teams.

The format is double-elimination and cash prizes will be paid to the top three places. First place gets $100.

For more information, call Ronnie Heady at 704-2038 or Jeff Ellis at 704-3234.

Bobcats fall in first of 3-game set

Marion Bobcats lost 4-2 Wednesday at home to the top-seeded Hopkinsville Hoppers in the semifinal round of the Ohio River Collegiate Baseball League playoffs.

Marion travels to Hopkinsville tonight for the second game of three-game series. Hopkinsville can earn a berth in the championship series with a victory tonight. A win for Marion will force a third and deciding game Friday at Hopkinsville.

The Bobcats beat Fulton Tuesday to earn a berth in the playoff series.

Revival in the Fredonia Valley this week

There will be a Revival in the Fredonia Valley starting at 7:45 p.m., nightly starting tonight and running through Saturday at American Legion Ballpark, behind Akridge Farm Center in Fredonia. 


Revival in the Valley speakers are Rich Gardner, pastor of Walnut Grove Baptist Church; Van Yandell, Kentucky Evangelist; and Carlton Binkley, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church. Several musicians are also confirmed for the event. Bring your Bible, your yard chairs and come to worship.

Stolen truck recovered from Ohio River

Divers were used to go down and attach a cable to the truck
so it could be pulled to the surface.

A stolen pickup truck was pulled from the Ohio River at Elizabethtown Landing early this afternoon. The truck had been reported stolen from Hickman County, Kentucky. It belonged to Great River Marine Service of Columbus, Ky.

Sheriff Wayne Agent said witnesses saw the truck go into the river at the boat ramp just before dawn this morning. Rescue crews and police spent much of the day recovering the vehicle, which was in swirling river current and about 35 feet under water.

The sheriff said witnesses saw at least one person running from the scene, however, no one has been found. He said the person apparently ran into the woods near the ferry landing. No one was found in the vehicle.

The late-model pickup was in tact other than the back window was broken out. The door windows were rolled up when it was pulled from the Ohio River about 3 p.m.

CCHS SBDM will meet Friday

Crittenden County High School Site-Based, Decision-Making Council will meet at 1:30 p.m., Friday at the CCHS Conference Room.

Bobcats advance to semifinal round

Marion Bobcats beat the Owensboro Oilers 6-5 Tuesday night at Gordon B. Guess Field in Marion.

The win gives the Bobcats a berth in the semifinal round of the Ohio Valley Summer Collegiate Baseball League playoffs, which begins tonight in Marion. 

Marion will play top-seeded Hopkinsville in the best-of-three series.

Divers en route to E'town Landing

UPDATE: Emergency personnel were called to the Elizabethtown Landing on the Ohio River near Tolu just before dawn today.

Crittenden County Rescue Squad was initially dispatched and asked to take a boat to search for a vehicle reportedly believed in the water. Once there, they saw images on sonar to indicate something large, like a vehicle, under water about 35 feet deep. A dive team was called in to help with the search.

Sheriff Wayne Agent said a witness to the incident early this morning described seeing someone flee the boat ramp area as tail lights of a vehicle went under water. The witness told the sheriff that the person fleeing the landing went into the forest. Investigators have not been able to find that person.

Stay tuned as more information becomes available.

Area death

Loretta West, 79, of Marion died Sunday at Salem Springlake. Services are Wednesday at Myers Funeral Home.

Bobcats host youth baseball clinic Monday night

The Marion Bobcats, a local summer collegiate league baseball club, will host a youth baseball clinic Monday night at Gordon B. Guess Field at Marion-Crittenden County Park.

Registration starts at 4 p.m. The clinic will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Cost is $20 per player and anyone age 7-18 is eligible to participate.

Bobcat players will instruct in a variety of areas, including throwing, base running, fielding and hitting.

Area death

Maurie Houston Kirk, 90, of Crayne died Thursday. He was a combat veteran of World War II, who received both the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. Visitation is today and the funeral is Monday at Myers Funeral Home in Marion.

Beware of more motorcycles this week

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reminding western Kentucky motorists to be alert for an influx of motorcycles this week. The Kentucky Bike Rally scheduled  for Thursday through Sunday is expected to attract some 15,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to Tthe Union County Fairgrounds in Sturgis. 

The event brings a surge of motorcycle traffic to the region, particularly along US 60, KY 109, KY 56, and KY 91, as well as along nearby Illinois Route 13.

In addition to increased motorcycle traffic along major routes, rally participants often cruise the back roads of western Kentucky and southern Illinois while attending the event. 

During peak travel times the added motorcycle traffic and other vehicles accessing the event site can create minor delays along US 60 through the Sturgis area.

In Kentucky, 72 of the 721 highway fatalities in 2011 were motorcyclists.  Of those fatalities, 42 riders were not wearing a helmet and 10 riders were under the influence of alcohol.

Area Death

Nell Perryman, 84, of Marion died Tuesday at Crittenden Hospital. Services are Friday at Myers Funeral Home.

KSP releases more info on Hutchinson

Cindy L. Hutchinson

Kentucky State Police have now released more information about the apprehension of Cindy Hutchinson, who was wanted for stealing a Marion man's car Monday. The man was found dead in his home and state police are investigating his death. They said he was stabbed and assaulted.

Hutchinson, 50, of Marion was arrested at 5:35 p.m., in Fort Smith, Ark. She is now lodged in the Sabastian County Detention Center without bond. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court there on Monday. At that time, Kentucky authorities will ask to have her extradited to Marion.

Hutchison was alone in Arkansas and driving the vehicle believed stolen from Jim Roberts Monday. Roberts was found dead in his East Depot Street home about7 p.m., Monday.

Police in Fort Smith received a tip about a suspicious woman Tuesday afternoon. When they arrived at the scene, they found Hutchinson and determined that she was wanted in Kentucky after checking information on the license plate on Roberts' car, which she was driving.

State police say they can find no record of Hutchinson having an active driver's license. However, she does possess identification cards from California and Arkansas.

Area death

Leonard E. "Jim" Roberts 89, of Marion died at his home Monday. Roberts is survived by sisters Virginia L. Swager of Murray and Blondell Behreadt of Henderson; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by parents, George and Allean Roberts; a son, Harlan Roberts; brothers Glen and Austin Roberts; a sister, Corene Brantley; and two wives, Mary Roberts and Ronella Ordway Roberts. Services are Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home. Burial will be at Mapleview Cemetery.

Suspect arrested out of state Tuesday night

Cindy L. Hutchinson, 50, of Marion was arrested in another state Tuesday night on a warrant charging her with receiving stolen property (vehicle). 


Hutchinson was allegedly seen driving a car belonging to Jim Roberts, 89, Monday in Marion. Roberts was found dead in his home Monday. Police suspect foul play.


Police said Hutchinson was driving the victim's vehicle when she was apprehended last night.


State Police Det. Scott Smith would not disclose what state Hutchinson was in when she was arrested.


KSP spokesman Stu Recke said more information will be made available later today.

Man found dead had been stabbed, assaulted

Pictured is Cindy Hutchinson, 50, of Marion as she appeared in

Crittenden District Court last week. Behind her are prosecutors

Rebecca Johnson and Mary Roher. The man found dead here Monday

lived across the street from Johnson.

SECOND UPDATE:

Police are looking for Cindy L. Hutchinson, 50, of Marion in connection with a warrant for receiving stolen property. She was allegedly seen driving a vehicle belonging to a man who was found dead inside his Marion home Monday evening. Police reports say the man had been assaulted and stabbed.


The body of Leonard E. Roberts, 89, of Marion was found at 229 East Depot Street last night around 7 p.m.


Next door neighbor Nicole Bell said she called police Monday evening at 6:44 p.m., after noticing the man's car missing. Bell couldn't get Roberts to come to the door after knocking several times. She said Hutchinson had been staying with Roberts for just over a week and that she was suspicious of Hutchinson.


State police describe Hutchinson as a white woman about 5-foot-7 and weighing 180 pounds. She has brown hair. Police think she is driving the victim's 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier, which is blue and bearing a Kentucky license plate 253 BZE. 

Anyone with information concerning Hutchinson’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Kentucky State Police at 1-270-676-3313 or toll free, in Kentucky, at 1-800-222-5555.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Injury accident U. S. 641 South

Update: One person confirmed dead, Robert O. Waters, 77, of Marion. Five people were involved in the accident.  Others did not life-threatening injuries.

At least one person has been taken to the hospital following a serious two-vehicle accident on U.S. 641 between Marion and Crayne. The accident happened just before 4 p.m., today near Marion Recycling.

No other details were immediately available.

Area Death

Former county judge and sheriff J.D. Orr, 90, of Marion died Wednesday at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.


The flag at the Crittenden County Courthouse will fly at half staff through the weekend out of respect for Mr. Orr's service to his community.

Darben Plaza getting a facelift

Workers paving Darben Plaza parking lot.

The large parking lot at Darben Plaza on Sturgis Road in Marion is being resurfaced.

Local residents will be equally as pleased when the state resurfaces Main Street, which should be within days.

Area deaths

Phillip M. Belt, 67, of Marion died Monday at Livingston Hospital. Services are Friday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Ronald M. Davidson, 65, of Marion died Monday at his home. Services are Thursday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Tonight's swim meet in Marion cancelled

The Marion swim team's scheduled meet tonight at Marion County Club against Murray has been cancelled due to the threat of bad weather.

Traffic Alert: Parkway ramp closed in Lyon

A crash is blocking the I-69 West Kentucky Parkway westbound ramp to U.S. 62 at Exit 4 in Lyon County.  This ramp was being used as a detour to I-24 westbound due to work at the I-69/WK Parkway interchange with Interstate 24 at Exit 42.

A massive concrete beam being transported by a special truck rolled off the truck as it was taking the exit ramp. It is now blocking the southbound/westbound I-69/WK Parkway ramp to U.S. 62. This oversized load will require special equipment to handle it and will be very difficult to get back on the truck.

At this time, state transportation officials expect the ramp to be blocked for 4 to 6 hours.

During this blockage, traffic from I-69/WK Parkway attempting to access I-24 westbound will have to take the Exit Ramp to EASTBOUND I-24 and travel to I-24 Exit 45, then loop through that interchange to head west on I-24.

This extended detour is likely to be in place for much of the day while engineers determine how to reload the concrete beam.

Highway closed Wednesday in Carrsville.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close Ky. 135 in Livingston County tomorrow (Wednesday).

The highway will be closed to replace a cross drain. The closure will be at Second Street between Fleet Street and Locust Street in Carrsville.

The roadway will be closed from 7 a.m., until 1 p.m.

There will be no marked detour.  Passenger vehicles may self-detour via side streets.  Trucks should take appropriate state routes.

WK Parkway ramp to I-24 closed

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is stepping up work on Interstate 24 westbound at the I-69/Western Kentucky Parkway Interchange at I-24 Exit 42 in Lyon County. The I-69/Parkway ramp to I-24 westbound in this work zone has been reopening to normal traffic flow on weekends.  Starting today, however, the ramp to I-24 westbound will remain closed until the project to lengthen and widen the ramp is completed. Southbound/westbound traffic on I-69/WK Parkway will detour off at Exit 4 and travel westbound on U.S. 62 to access the I-24 westbound lanes at I-24 Exit 40.

Closing the ramp and detouring I-69/WK Pkwy traffic via U.S. 62 is designed to improve safety in this work zone for both workers and the public.

All westbound I-24 traffic continues to be moved to the left-hand or passing lane at mile point 41.6 in this work zone. I-24 westbound traffic continues to have a strictly enforced 55 mile per hour work zone speed limit with double fines and an enhanced enforcement presence.

Community Garden pulling back on distribution

Due to the overwhelming demand for fresh vegetables by local residents, the Community Garden project committee has decided to pull back on its picking and distribution in order to protect the garden's resources.

Robbie Kirk said more than 150 people came Friday to get vegetables picked from the garden. The demand is so great, the gardeners think it's best to only have one distribution day starting this week. Last week, there were two distribution days. The garden simply can't keep up with demand, organizers say.

It's a wonderful problem to have, Kirk added. The project has been a great success. However, in order to avoid over-harvesting the garden and stressing the resource, distribution will be on Friday only starting this week. Distribution will be from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Farmers Market on Main Street next to McDonald's.

The garden, known as the Victory Garden, is located near the park. It is being tended by local churches and inmates from the Crittenden County Detention Center. The jail is also using produce from the garden in its kitchen.

Murals will be formally dedicated tomorrow

The murals were painted by Sherri Wright-Mayo, a former 

Marion resident, and Nancy Drone, of Eldorado, Ill.  

They have been collaborating for over 10 years on projects

 in private home and businesses in Kentucky and Illinois.

Marion’s historic past will be celebrated at 2 p.m., tomorrow (Tuesday) during an official dedication of the mural-scape located on East Bellville Street. The nine murals are located between the old fire station and the USDA building.  A ceremony will be held at the old fire station where Mayor Mickey Alexander will offer a brief history of each mural. Officially dedicating the murals will be Sarah Ford, Chairperson of Marion Main Street.  Becky Proctor Gorman of The Kentucky Heritage Council will also attend the ceremony.

The murals depict the city of Marion during the period of 1880 to 1946. Represented in the murals are The Marion Depot, The Marion Hotel, Marion’s Tobacco Factory, The Marion Bank, Wallingsford’s Livery Stable, The Marion Distillery, The Opera House, Marion’s Graded School and The Kentucky Fluorspar Mill.

Brenda Underdown is the official historian of Marion and Crittenden County.  She said each mural depicts meaningful eras of local history.

“All the buildings represent an important part of our history: the old school, the old hotel and city hall.  The things that were important during that time.  We hope this will be a way for people to remember an important part of our history,” Underdown said.  
 
The murals were painted by Sherri Wright-Mayo, a former Marion resident, and Nancy Drone, of Eldorado, Ill.  Drone teaches art at the Harrisburg, Ill. Middle School.

Friends since childhood, they previously collaborated on murals at both the Marion Country Club and at The Welcome Center.  They have been working together on projects for over 10 years.

“We've also done work in private homes and businesses in Kentucky and Illinois and in the schools in Marion as well as the Harrisburg Middle School,” Drone said.

Responders fighting wildfire on Brown Mines Road

Volunteer fireman have responded to the scene of a wildfire at 1920 Brown Mines Road. According to initial reports, the fire had started in a field and spread to a nearby forested area.

Marion gas stationed robbed Thursday night

Stinnett

UPDATE: Marion police were able to act quickly to apprehend a suspect after Ideal Gas Station on Sturgis Road was robbed Thursday night.

Arrested and charged with first-degree robbery was Brandon Stinnett, 31, of Marion.

The station was allegedly robbed at 9:39 p.m., and the suspect was arrested at his rented home on North Weldon Street 17 minutes later. The suspect's home is only a few blocks from the gas station.

Chief of Police Ray O'Neal said an arrest was made quickly because seven law enforcement officers responded immediately and witnesses were able to provide a description of the suspect and the direction of his travel on foot.

Police say Stinnett used a stun-gun to hold up the 23-year-old attendant. Stinnett allegedly took about $650 from the station. Officers say cash and other evidence was found in his home.

Stinnett is lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center. No bond has been set at this time.

Area Deaths

James McCain, 85, of Marion died Wednesday at Pembroke Nursing and Rehab in Pembroke, Ky. Services are Sunday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion

Herman Douglas Reed, 81, of Marion died Tuesday at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. Services are Saturday at Myers Funeral Home in Marion.

Local musician, Hendrix, dies

Local musician and former postman Eddie Hendrix died July 4 while playing with fellow musicians in Illinois. Services are Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Local rescue units helping Ohio River search

Crittenden County Rescue Squad members are helping search the Ohio River between Golconda, Ill., and Berry's Ferry on the Kentucky side for a missing father who they think drown yesterday while fishing and swimming with his two children.


The three were in a boat when the father got out to swim and disappeared, according to reports.


Crittenden rescue has provided its mobile command post, boats and personnel to help with the search from the Livingston County shore.


The name of the man has not been released.

Press rack sales delayed one day for Fourth

Due to the Fourth of July holiday, rack sales of The Crittenden Press printed edition will not begin until Thursday.

The newspaper normally goes on sale at newsstands on Wednesday afternoon.

Crash blocks U.S. 60 for short time

A single-vehicle accident involving a loaded dump truck caused some traffic delays on U.S. 60 East at midday Tuesday.

The driver of the truck did not appear seriously injured, but was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

The truck belonged to Tim Johns Trucking. The driver's name was immediately released.

The highway was re-open to both lanes of traffic around 2 p.m.

Law enforcement looking for red pickup

Law enforcement in Crittenden and Livingston counties are looking for a red Ford pickup truck believed to have run another vehicle off the road at the intersection of Crittenden Springs Road (Ky. 1668) and U.S. 60 west of Marion.

According to reports, the long-wheel base Ford truck headed westbound toward Salem.

Anyone with information should call 965-3500.

The incident happened about 9 a.m., today.

Area death

David Lee Doyle, 69, of Marion died Thursday, June 28 at his home. The funeral is this morning at the Chapel of Boyd Funeral Directors.