Area deaths

Michael “Mickey” Kindred, 66, of Smithland died Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012 at Vanderbilt University Hospital Palliative Center following a prolonged illness. Services are Friday at the Potter’s House Baptist Worship Center in Smithland. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem was in charge of arrangements.

Imogene Brantley, 90, of Marion died Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 at Crittenden County Health and Rehab.  She was a member of Rosebud Methodist Church. Services are Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

UPDATE on Wednesday's fatal accident

Kentucky State Police say 23-year-old Thomas A. Sanders of Marion was driving an S-10 pickup when he crossed the center line and hit head-on a Pontiac LaSabre driven by Kenneth Euell Guess, 76, of Fredonia Wednesday about 3 p.m., on U.S. 641 at the Marion City Limit.

Guess was pronounced dead at the scene by the Crittenden County coroner. 

A news release from state police says Sanders was northbound as he rounded a curve and crossed the center line, striking Guess' vehicle. Both vehicles came to rest in the southbound lane – the car was partially in the side ditch.

Guess' wife, who was a passenger, 76-year-old Hazel D. Guess, was flown from the scene to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville.

Sanders was flown from the scene to St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville.

Both Euell Guess and Hazel Guess were wearing seatbelts. Sanders was not wearing a seatbelt. 

The investigation by Trooper Darron Holliman is continuing. 

The highway was closed for several hours following the accident.

U.S. 641 closed at city limit for fatal wreck

There has been a fatal accident on the south edge of town. U.S. 641 is closed just south of Industrial Park Drive where a head-on collision between a small pickup and a passenger car has left one person dead. Two others are being taken to regional hospitals by air ambulance. No other details were immediately available. The highway will likely be closed for at least an hour. The accident happened just as school was letting out, but it does not appear the victims were part of school traffic.

Light wintry mix visits Crittenden County

A band of light sleet moved across a number of western Kentucky counties overnight.

Crews were called out to treat scattered slick spots, mainly on bridges.

Crittenden County received some light mixed precipitation and a highway department truck treated roads, mainly in the northern part of the county.

Fatal accident this morning in Livingston

UPDATE: The driver has been identified as Cynthia L. Felts, 51, of Paducah.  Felts was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the collision.

Kentucky State Police are investigating a single-vehicle fatality that occurred early this morning on U.S. 60 between Ledbetter and Smithland in Livingston County.

A preliminary investigation shows a 2009 Honda Accent was traveling west on US 60 two miles east of Ledbetter when it ran off the right side of the roadway for an unknown reason. The vehicle traveled approximately 200 feet off the roadway overturning and striking a utility pole.  

The driver of the vehicle was ejected and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Livingston County coroner. The name of the driver is being withheld until next of kin is notified. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision.

Trooper Chris Smith is continuing the investigation.   Trooper Smith was assisted on the scene by the Livingston County EMS, Livingston County Coroner’s Office, and the Ledbetter Fire Department.

Area deaths

Jimmy Ray Stinnett, 70, of Dycusburg died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at his home.

Services are Tuesday at Lakeland Funeral Home Chapel in Eddyville.

Carlisle Towery, 92, of Marion died Sunday. Details of his arrangements were not immediately available. Towery was a military veteran and a former professional basketball player.

Phillip Eugene Faulkner, 74, of Salem died Friday at Livingston Hospital. Services are Tuesday at Boyd Funeral Directors.

Area death

Cynthia Ann Walker, 54, of Marion died Thursday at University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville.
Services are Sunday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Local man dies in Illinois auto accident

Shane Travis, 25, of Dycusburg died as result of injuries suffered in a head-on collision yesterday morning on Route 1 in southern Illinois.

According to reports from news outlets in Illinois, Travis' car veered across the center line for unknown reasons and hit a fuel tanker truck. The tanker truck driver was taken to the hospital. Travis was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to reports.

More information is available at this link, http://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/2012/11/20/route-1-closed-after-fatal-accident/

Police searching for stolen bikes, scooter

Marion police are looking for a white pickup truck that was apparently involved in the theft of four bicycles and a scooter from a Main Street residence this morning.

Police Chief Ray O'Neal said thee children's bikes and scooter were outside their residence near the old car wash across from Conrad's. One of the children saw a white pickup, possibly a four-wheel drive, stop outside. The occupants loaded the bikes and scooter and took off.

Anyone with information can call Marion Police Department at 965-3500.

Area death

Ruby Lee Phillips, 77, of Marion died Friday at her home.  Services are Sunday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Area death

Arville Ray Collins, 60, of Marion died Wednesday, Nov. 14 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville, Ind.
Services are Saturday at Myers Funeral Home.

Nursing home gets stay on termination

The federal organization that was going to lift the Medicare and Medicaid certification for Crittenden Health and Rehabilitation Center has rescinded its termination order, which would have gone into effect next week.

Nursing home officials tell The Press that an on-site inspection this week has abated the immediate jeopardy; however, long-term remediation is necessary. See next week's Crittenden Press for details.

An article about the issue appeared on the front page of this week's weekly newspaper.

Area death

Zelona Mae Belt, 92, of Marion died Sunday. Services are Wednesday at Freedom Church.

Area deaths

Audie Faye Brown, 67, of Marion died Wednesday at her home. Services are Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Peggy Allen Ralff, 62, of Marion died Tuesday at St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville. Services are Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Sports photos available online

Want to have high-quality photographs of your favorite Rocket football player? Check out the photo link on the top of this page. Pictures from this year's football season, along with many other local sporting and civic events, are posted and available for purchase.

Louisville man injured in Rosebud wreck

A Louisville man was injured in a single-vehicle accident at Rosebud Hill on U.S. 60 East this morning about 10 a.m. John K. Elliott, 58, was extricated from his vehicle by the Crittenden County Rescue Squad and taken by ambulance to Crittenden Hospital with multiple injuries.

Bechler winner of 4th House race

Bechler with wife Kathy at his celebration Tuesday
night in Marion.

Republican Lynn Bechler of Marion has won the race for Kentucky 4th District House.

Bechler captured 57 percent of the vote districtwide and won every precinct in Crittenden County.

He defeated Democrat Raymond Giannini of Princeton.

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for a complete general election wrap up, including detailed voter totals from every precinct in the county.

2012 General Election Results: Crittenden County

GENERAL ELECTION 2012 -- ALL PRECINCTS REPORTING

ELECTION RETURNS  CRITTENDEN

U.S. PRESIDENT

Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan - R 2839

Barack Obama / Joe Biden - D 960

Jill Stein / Cheri Honkala - GRN 16

Randall A. Terry / Missy Smith - IND 14

Gary Johnson / James Gray - LIB 25

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE - DISTRICT 1

Ed Whitfield - R 2878

Charles Kendall Hatchett - D 902

KENTUCKY HOUSE DISTRICT 4

Lynn Bechler - R 2505

Raymond W. Giannini - D 1291

COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY

Zac Greenwell - D 2782

CIRCUIT COURT CLERK

Melissa Guill 3220

BOARD OF EDUCATION - DISTRICT 1

Bill Asbridge 603

BOARD OF EDUCATION - DISTRICT 3

Chris Cook 332

BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 4

Pam Collins 386

MARION CITY COUNCIL

Don Arflack 734

Dwight Sherer 752

Greg West 659

Jared Byford 724

Michael Byford 730

Frank Pierce 701

AMENDMENT - Hunting Rights

Yes 3185

No 238

Area death

Rev. David Eugene Winders, 81, of Marion died Monday at Crittenden Hospital. Services are Thursday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Area death

Virginia Lois “Ginny” Threlkeld, 49, of Marion died Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 at her home.  Services are Tuesday, at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Schools issue Rachel's challenge on bullying

In an effort to educate students, parents and the community on the subject of bullying, Crittenden County School District has organized a variety of events to teach students the importance of respecting their peers.

Parents and guardians of middle school students were recently asked to join students in taking a pledge on the Kentucky Safe Schools website on the subject of bullying.  School officials believe student behaviors can be modified if children see their parents or guardians actively participate and take a stand against bullying.

Middle School Guidance Counselor Robyn Taylor said parent involvement is vital to help reinforce the idea to respect one’s peers.

“I challenge them to take the pledge as well.  That way we’re all working together.  The schools can’t do it alone.  It takes a village.  And these kids need that,” Taylor said.

Taylor said the school works to build strong relationships with each student and believes good communication is the key to reducing instances of bullying.

“Dr. Yarbrough has sat down with our students in a circle on the gym floor and talked with them about bullying.  What bullying is and how to report bullying,” Taylor said.  “We’ve talked about bullying in so many different ways.  You have to build these relationships with the kids so they will come and talk to you about things.”

School officials also urge parents to become aware of cyber bullying.  Cyber bullying, or on-line harassment or threatening, can occur online via email, chat rooms or social networking sites.

To better inform parents, students and community members about the subject of bullying, the school district has planned a special anti-bullying program next week that will be held at each school and at Rocket Arena as a community event.

Rachel’s Challenge is a program that provides strategies that help both students and adults combat bullying.  The program is based on the writings of Rachel Scott, one of the first students killed at Columbine High School.  Rachel’s Challenge will be held Nov. 5 at the elementary and middle school and Nov. 7 at the high school.  A community event will also be held Nov. 7 at Rocket Arena at 6 p.m.  Parents and community members are encouraged to attend.

Holly White is the community educator for Crittenden County schools.  She said Rachel’s Challenge teaches compassion as a catalyst.  It uses the tragedy at Columbine High School to teach about making a difference in the lives of others by doing the little things that can start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion. The Rachel's Challenge team will challenge every person to eliminate prejudice and guard their influences by setting big goals for their life.

"It is important to expose our students and our community to proactive strategies to help us to be more compassionate and caring toward others. It takes everyone working together and doing little things to make this world a better place. I know that even as an adult, I may have a rough day and not be as nice and polite to people as I should be. I have to remind myself that every action has reactions and the little things can change a person's life," White said.