Road work to begin on Ky. 120 Tuesday

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) plans work along Ky. 120 through Providence in Webster County starting Tuesday.

Work is planned along Ky/ 120/Main Street from mile point 3.645 just west of the Railroad Crossing near Cedar Street and extends eastward through providence to the intersection with U.S. 41-Altnerate at mile point 6.723, a distance of just over 3 miles.

Starting Tuesday, a crew will be making base repairs at various locations along this section for about two days. Once those base repairs are completed, traffic will be allowed to run on this section for about a week to allow the new base material to settle.

Starting around Tuesday, the contractor plans to start milling and asphalt paving operations along Ky. 120 through Providence, including sidewalk ramp upgrades.

Motorists should be alert for one lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers.  There will be times during the milling and paving process when on-street parking will be prohibited to help facilitate the work.

Rogers Group is the prime contractor on this $569,901 highway improvement project.  The work is expected to take about two weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Approximately 6,000 vehicles travel sections of this work zone along Ky. 120 in an average day.

Yard Sale at Johnson's

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Auction Next week in Marion

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Yard Sale next week in Midway

This yard sale was incorrectly listed in this week's Press as starting today. It is actually next week.

Yard sale, 6860 U.S. 60 West. in Midway, Thurs. and Friday June 5-6. Adult clothes, kid’s clothes, girl’s newborn-4T, boy’s 6-7-8, other assorted household items, children’s books and more.

Bad files repaired on Press site

Online subscribers should now be able to download this week's version of the newspaper.

Some corrupted PDF files caused problems overnight, but the problems have been repaired. If you continue to have issues viewing this week's PDF files, please contact us at 270-965-3191.

We apologize for any inconvenience this caused.

Candidate says Thank You!

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Adopt-a-Highway groups ready to ‘summer scrub’ roadsides

KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Volunteers will be out in force next week to summer scrub Kentucky highways. The Transportation Cabinet announced today that Adopt-a-Highway Summer Scrub Week will be June 2-8.

“The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet appreciates the efforts of our Adopt-a-Highway volunteers who help keep our highways and communities beautiful and litter-free,” Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said in a news release.

Nearly 700 groups participate in Kentucky’s Adopt-a-Highway program, which was established in 1988. Volunteers clean approximately 4,800 miles of roadside annually, setting an example of responsible environmental stewardship.

The Adopt-a-Highway program promotes public environmental awareness and supports tourism. The program also creates a partnership between citizens, community and government, and establishes a sense of pride in the Bluegrass State.

Each year, the KYTC spends about $5 million and 200,000 worker hours to remove 96,000 bags of highway litter. Adopt-a-Highway volunteers help save thousands of taxpayer dollars and demonstrate that a clean environment is a shared responsibility.

Any permanently established business, association, community or public organization, or government entity can adopt a stretch of highway. A wide range of groups throughout Kentucky now participate, including homemaker clubs, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, high school organizations, service clubs, veterans, college fraternities and sororities, sports teams and church groups, among others.

Volunteers adopt two-mile sections of highway under a two-year, renewable contract with the Transportation Cabinet.

Adopt-a-Highway coordinators can explain the fundamentals of the program to volunteer groups, work with group members in locating an available highway, and keep them notified of news and upcoming events.

Litter pickups are held at least four times per year or as many times as necessary to keep adopted areas reasonably litter-free. The cabinet coordinates three annual clean-up efforts.

Groups interested in becoming members of the Adopt-a-Highway Program can find details and district coordinator information at http://adopt-a-highway.ky.gov/. Safety guidelines are provided to volunteers and should be reviewed prior to each cleanup.

The Adopt-a-Highway coordinators help volunteers get in touch with the county maintenance crew superintendent to arrange warning sign placement on the date of pickup. Trash bags and safety vests can be obtained at each state maintenance facility, and litter removal is provided by the state highway crews.

For more information, visit the Transportation Cabinet website at http://adopt-a-highway.ky.gov/. For questions or comments, contact Miranda Thacker, 502-564-3419, or e-mail Miranda.Thacker@ky.gov .

Big Fredonia Auction Saturday

"Pres" Driskill Sale

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Google Maps car updating Crittenden information

A Google Maps car was in Crittenden County on Tuesday afternoon. The representative manning the automobile said information about the area was being collected for Google Maps.

Baccalaureate services tonight

Baccalaureate services for the Crittenden County High School Class of 2014 will be at 6 p.m. today inside Rocket Arena.

City council to meet Thursday

There will be a special called meeting of the Marion City Council at 5 p.m. Thursday for the following specific purposes:

1. 2nd Reading of an Ordinance Allowing the Sale of Fireworks

2. 1st Reading of Ordinances Adopting the Annual Budget and Pay Plan.

Is your kid going to college?

Crittenden County High School held its third annual College Signing Day Friday. The event recognizes students who have made plans to attend a college, technical school or join the military.

The Press was there to cover the event. Details are in the printed edition only.

This is a keepsake edition will full-color photos of each senior who has declared their post-graduate intentions. Don't miss it. Copies will be available this afternoon.

What's in Today's Press?

Here are some things you will find out by reading today's Crittenden Press printed edition, which will be available on newsstands this afternoon.

• Learn which CCHS grad spent a lifetime building John Deere equipment.
• Find out which local teacher will receive a very special honor.
• See who the top graduates will be in 2014.
• Find out what the local tourism impact was last year.
• Get the low down this year's Hurricane Camp Meeting.
• Historian Brenda Underdown revisits some old county schools.
• See which Crittenden native is honored for duty in World War II.
• Find out why the late Clement Nunn is back in the local news.
• Details on the fatal accident in town early Sunday morning.

Plus, get all of the Class of 2014's graduation information.

Your local news headquarters is The Crittenden Press printed edition. Don't miss out on what's happening in your community. 

Inmate on loose from Webster County

Marcle G. Jenkins

A Webster County Jail inmate escaped yesterday after being transported by jail officials to Baptist Health Madisonville for treatment. While there, the inmate escaped on foot. 

Marcle G. Jenkins, 29, is wanted for second-degree escape, a Class D felony. Here is a description of the escapee:

• Age: 29          
• Sex: Male          
• Race: White   
• Height: 5’4”  
• Weight: 171      
• Hair: Brown      
• Eyes: Green

Mr. Jenkins was last seen wearing a jail-issued orange jump suit, white T-shirt, and black and white flip flops.  He was incarcerated for first-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools and fleeing/evading police on foot.  Jenkins has multiple tattoos. 

If you come into contact with him, do not try to apprehend him; dial 911 or contact the Kentucky State Police at 1-270-676-3313 or toll-free, in Kentucky, at 1-800-222-5555 or your local law enforcement. 

Swim team sign-ups today

Swim team is having sign ups today from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

State mowing crews back at it Tuesday

After taking a break for the Memorial Day Holiday, contractors for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and state highway maintenance crews will again ramp up mowing activities along highways across the region on Tuesday.

Crews will be mowing along interstates, parkways, and federal highways, as well as many rural secondary highways. 

Mowing crews will be working during daylight hours about anytime weather allows for about the next month.  

Litter pickup crews will be working in advance of contract mowing crews along major routes.

Please use appropriate caution when you encounter a mowing zone. Mower operators often have to cross travel lanes as they go about their work cutting grass along state right of way.

Due to the level of activity, mowing zones should be approached with the same level of caution as other work zones. Slow down, put down your cell phone, and pay close attention to what is ahead of you.

Traffic fatality on South Main Street

A man who failed to stop for police crashed his car early Sunday morning in Marion and died.

According to state police, the wreck occurred at 2:44 a.m., near the Front Porch Restaurant.

Deandre M. White, 37, was operating a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer southbound on Ky. 91 (Main Street) when Marion Patrolman Chuck Hoover attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

White failed to yield to the blue lights and continued traveling south on Ky. 91 (Main Street) at a high rate of speed. White failed to negotiate a curve in front of the restaurant and his vehicle exited the shoulder of the roadway and entered a ditch line. White's vehicle then struck a culvert and overturned, ejecting him.

Police are not releasing much information about the incident right now as it remains under investigation. They are not even sure why White was in the area. He is believed to be from the Hopkinsville or Clarksville, Tenn., area. He was the only person in the vehicle, which did not belong to him, and he was carrying very little personal identification.

White was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Crittenden County Coroner's Office.

Multiple personnel from Kentucky State Police, Marion Police Department, Crittenden County EMS and the Crittenden County Coroner's Office assisted at the scene.

Offices to close for Memorial Day

All city, county, state and federal government offices, including Crittenden County Public Library and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. All courthouse offices except the PVA's office will also be closed Saturday.

The Crittenden Press will be closed Monday; therefore, the advertising deadline for next week’s edition of the newspaper will be at noon Tuesday.

Because of Monday’s postal holiday, delivery of The Early Bird will be one day late.

4 area Memorial Day services planned

Four Memorial Day services are planned for Crittenden and Livingston counties in the coming days:

• At Blackford on Saturday, the annual Veterans Walk of Honor ceremony will feature Kentucky Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs Ken Lucas as the speaker on the facility’s new stage. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m.
• In  Burna on Sunday, American Legion Post 217 will host its annual Memorial Day service  beginning at 8:30 a.m. Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham will be the special guest speaker for the event. A free continental breakfast will be offered after the service. The memorial garden display will be open Saturday through Monday.
• At 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, American Legion Post 111 will host its annual ceremony at the war memorial in Mapleview Cemetery in Marion. Jeremy Wheeler, a former Marine, will be the guest speaker for the event. If rain, the ceremony will be held inside Fohs Hall.
• Also on Memorial Day at 11 a.m., Shady Grove Cemetery will host its annual service, with Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom as the featured speaker. A meal will be served at the Shady Grove Volunteer Fire Department following the service.

Press ad deadline moved for next week

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the advertising deadline for next week's issue of The Crittenden Press will be noon Tuesday.

Farmers Bank Mobile Banking

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Follow the links below to download your Farmers Bank and Trust mobile app today and have better banking at your fingertips.

Get the iPhone or iPod App

Get the iPad App 

Get the Android App 

Supplemental Insurance options

Area death

Retha Bell Clark, 76, of Fyffe, Ala., formerly of Marion, died May 11, 2014, at Shepherds Cove Hospice in Albertville, Ala. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem was in charge of arrangements.

Plane crash closes parkway

The northbound lanes of the Breathitt-Pennyrile Parkway are closed due to the crash of what is described as a single engine airplane on the parkway in Christian County.

The crash is near the Hopkinsville Airport and has closed the northbound lanes between the 7- and 8-mile marker.

The southbound lanes are open at this time, but will like be closed at some point.

McConnell challenges Grimes to three debates

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, fresh off his primary win against Tea Party candidate Matt Bevin, is challenging Democratic nominee Alison Lundergan Grimes to three debates. In a letter signed by McConnell, which the Herald-Leader obtained Wednesday morning and the McConnell campaign confirmed would be sent to Grimes, Kentucky's senior senator congratulated his Democratic opponent on winning her party's nomination and challenged her to a series of debates — with several conditions.

For the full story, visit the Herald-Leader online.

Election Fraud Hotline receives 205 calls

KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Attorney General Jack Conway announced Wednesday that his Election Fraud Hotline received 205 calls from more than 60 counties between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. CDT during Tuesday's primary election. Forty-nine calls involved allegations of vote buying/selling.

“The Election Fraud Hotline is an important tool for voters to help protect the integrity of Kentucky’s elections,” Conway said in a news release. “My office will thoroughly review each complaint for possible criminal violations. If an investigation is deemed necessary, the complaint will be referred to the appropriate agency.”

Election Fraud Hotline calls by issue for 2014 primary election

• 49 Vote Buying/Selling (8 – Breathitt, 8 – Clay, 4 – Pike, 3 – Bell, 3 – Floyd, 3 – Harlan, 3 – Laurel, 3 – Owsley, 2 – Carter, 2 – Knott, 2 – Magoffin, 1 – Bath, 1 – Clinton, 1 – Knox, 1 – Lee, 1 – Morgan, 1 – Muhlenberg, 1 – Perry, 1 – Wayne)
• 43 Legal Questions
• 25 Procedural Questions
• 25 General Election Fraud/Other
• 16 Electioneering within 300’ of Polls
• 12 Election Official
• 11 Special or Absentee Ballot
• 7 Residency
• 6 Voter Identification
• 5 Voting Machine
• 3 Voter Assistance
• 3 Disrupting Polls
• 2 Request for Assistance/Monitoring
• 2 Campaign Violation
• 1 Campaign Finance

Top Election Fraud Hotline calls by county

• Breathitt – 15 (8 – Vote Buying/Selling, 2 – Disrupting Polls, 2 – Electioneering within 300’ of Polls, 1 – General Election Fraud/Other, 1 – Legal Question, 1 – Procedural Question, 1 – Residency) 
• Floyd – 12 (3 – Vote Buying/Selling, 2 – Legal Question, 2 – Voter Assistance, 1 – Campaign Finance, 1 – Campaign Violation, 1 – Election Official, 1 – General Election Fraud/Other, 1 – Procedural Question, 1 – Special or Absentee Ballot)
• Pike – 11 (4 – Vote Buying/Selling, 3 – Procedural Question, 2 – General Election Fraud/Other, 1 – Election Official, 1 – Electioneering within 300’ of Polls)
• Pulaski – 11 (3 – Electioneering within 300’ of Polls, 3 – General Election Fraud/Other, 2 – Residency, 1 – Legal Question, 1 – Procedural Question, 1 – Special or Absentee Ballot)

The Office of the Attorney General, by law, cannot provide details regarding specific complaints or possible pending investigations.

In addition to the hotline, investigators from Conway’s Department of Criminal Investigations patrolled precincts and polling places across the state Tuesday to respond immediately to complaints. The attorney general’s Office, which has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute election law violations, is also a member of the Kentucky Election Integrity Task Force.

Post-Election Audit As required by statute, the office of the attorney general will select six counties in a random drawing and a post-election audit will be conducted in those counties. Each county will undergo independent inquiries for any potential irregularities that may have occurred during the May 20 primary.

The counties are selected in a public drawing that must be done within 20 days of the election.

Gov. Beshear directs flags to half-staff for Memorial Day

Gov. Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be displayed at half-staff until noon Monday in observance of Memorial Day.
“Memorial Day is a time for Kentuckians and all Americans to honor the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms,” said Gov. Beshear. “On Monday, I encourage you to take a moment to give thanks for our military members who made the ultimate sacrifice and also recognize those who are still serving our country both at home and abroad.”

Gov. Beshear encourages individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this flag-lowering tribute.

For information on Memorial Day ceremonies at Kentucky veterans cemeteries and nursing homes,  visit http://veterans.ky.gov.

PVA office open Saturday

Crittenden County PVA Office will be open Saturday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and will not be closed that day as indicated in The Crittenden Press.

Washer/Dryer Sale at Johnson's

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Election coverage found in today's Press

Election results across Kentucky and Crittenden County are in and have been reported here, but for extended coverage, including reaction from the winning candidates in Tuesday's primaries in Crittenden County, pick up today's print edition of The Crittenden Press.

In other elections not covered in this week's Press...

Livingston County
Chris Lasher will keep his job as judge-executive of Livingston County after fending off a challenge Tuesday by Ashley Hardin. Lasher beat Hardin by a 2-to-1 margin in the Democratic primary, gathering 1,025 votes compared to his opponent's 507. Lasher faces no opponent in the fall election.

Meantime, Livingston County Sheriff Bobby Davidson will move forward to the November general election to face Democrat Larry L. O'Neal after beating John M. Driskill 368-131 in the county's Republican primary.

Burna- and Smithland-area Magistrate Marvin L. Buford beat challenger Harry Van Smith 341-273 in the Democratic primary in District 4. Buford faces Republican Garrett P. Gruber in November.

Caldwell County
Caldwell County Judge-Executive Brock Thomas was unseated by challenger Ellen Dunning Tuesday. Dunning earned 1,292 votes in the Democratic primary compared to 1,080 for Thomas. Dunning will face Roy Gene Rogers, a Fredonia Independent, in November.

Lyon County
Robert Harris, an officer with Marion Police Department, lost his bid Tuesday for sheriff in Lyon County. Harris lost to Sheriff Kent Murphy in the Democratic primary 1,708-292. Murphy faces no opposition in November.

Labor Cabinet provides required posters

The Kentucky Labor Cabinet reminds all employers in the Commonwealth that required labor law posters are available for free at its website, www.labor.ky.gov. Private companies are sending notices that offer to sell these posters to businesses.

“Business owners in Kentucky need to know that they can get these posters at no cost by going to our website,” said Kentucky Labor Cabinet Secretary Larry Roberts. “They don’t have to buy them from third party sources. These required posters are available on our website so that anyone can download them for free.”

Employers failing to post required posters may be subject to citations and penalties, but letters sent to Kentucky businesses have threatened civil and criminal penalties up to $17,000 if they do not display certain posters being sold. Some employers may be misled into believing that these notices are official government warnings. While certain posters are required by law to be posted in the workplace, the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, as well as other Kentucky agencies and the U.S. Department of Labor, provides these posters free of charge.

“My office investigates and takes action to halt misleading and deceptive advertising practices,” said Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway. “I want to ensure that employers don’t fall victim to false and misguided information. If business owners receive a notice from a private company requesting payment for these posters, I encourage them to contact my Office of Consumer Protection at 1-888-432-9257.”

The Labor Cabinet provides required posters for child labor laws, wage discrimination because of sex, wage and hour laws, and safety and health on the job guidelines. The Labor Cabinet also provides these posters in Spanish.

In addition to the Labor Cabinet posters, there are also two other mandatory posters for employers within the Commonwealth. The Kentucky equal employment opportunity poster is provided courtesy of the  Commission of Human Rights, and the unemployment insurance benefits poster is provided by the Office of Employment and Training. Links to those posters are also available on the Labor Cabinet’s website, www.labor.ky.gov.

There may be Federal posters certain companies are required to post. Please check the U.S. Dept. of Labor website here for those posters that may apply. 

Election night returns from Crittenden County

12 of 12 county precincts reporting (including absentee ballots)

U.S. SENATOR (DEMOCRAT)
Alison Lundergan Grimes - 598
Burrel Charles Farnsley - 80
Gregory Brent Leichty- 90
Tom Recktenwald - 71 Grimes statewide winner
U.S. SENATOR (REPUBLICAN)
Mtich McConnell - 854
Matt Bevin - 360
Brad Copas - 3
Shawna Sterling - 24
Chris Payne - 6 McConnell statewide winner
1ST DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN (DEMOCRAT)
Charles Kendall Hatchett - 460
Wesley Seaton Bolin - 299 Hatchett districtwide winner
COUNTY JAILER (DEMOCRAT)

Daniel Kemper - 434

Byron Jasis - 289
Rick Mills - 195
COUNTY JAILER (REPUBLICAN)
Robbie Kirk - 661
Mike McConnell - 364
Ricky Winders - 172
1ST DISTRICT MAGISTRATE (REPUBLICAN)
Jeff Ellis - 107
Bob Trowbridge - 98
3RD DISTRICT MAGISTRATE (REPUBLICAN)
Glenn Underdown - 102
Junior Martin - 100
2ND DISTRICT CONSTABLE (REPUBLICAN)

Barkley Hughes - 134

Tony Alexander - 87
FAMILY COURT JUDGE

Ben Leonard - 3,214

Brandy Hagan Rogers - 2,653
Laura Alvey Peek - 2,023 Rogers and Leonard will face in November

Area death

Harry L. Shouse, 94, of Willoughby, Ohio, formerly of Salem, died May 19, 2014, at Manor Care Health Services in Willoughby. Arrangements are incomplete at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Election Day: Go vote

Twelve Crittenden County precincts are open today for voting. 

Polls are open 6 a.m, until 6 p.m.

The Press Online will have a report tonight following compilation of votes.

Beshear to honor fallen police officers Wednesday

Two Kentucky officers were killed in the line of duty in 2013, and their memory and sacrifice will be honored at the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s annual law enforcement memorial ceremony Wednesday.

Gov. Steve Beshear will address the families, friends and comrades of Kentucky’s fallen officers.

The ceremony will be held at the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial, located in front of the John W. Bizzack Law Enforcement Training Complex on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus.

The ceremony also will honor seven Kentucky officers killed in the line of duty between 1908 and 2012, but whose names were not added to the national memorial until recently. One of the criteria for having a name placed on the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial is that it be on the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

The Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial monument stands in memory of nearly every Kentucky peace officers who has been killed in the line of duty. This year’s additions bring the total number of names on the monument to 518. That number includes Louis Myers of the Marion Police Department who died of a heart attack Aug. 29, 1973 while tracking a prison 

Today is Election Day

Today is primary election day in Kentucky.

Polls are open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

McConnell's plan as next jailer

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I have stressed during my campaign that our Crittenden County Detention Center is a business within our county government. The first priority of our next Crittenden County Jailer is to make our jail safe and secure. The next is to ensure that the Detention Center is managed as a business to reduce or eliminate the need for the county to subsidize its operation. I have a Two-Point Plan to achieve this goal.

• Expand contracts with the State Road Department

  We currently have two road crews working with the state road department , bringing $80,000 per crew to the jail. I will negotiate with the state to increase the number of crews to five which would increase the jail's income by $240,000 per year.

• Increase the number of inmates that we currently house

  The county owns property and buildings adjacent to the Detention Center that can be converted to house up to 35 Class-One Inmates, freeing up 35 beds in the current jail. At the current state reimbursement rate, this would generate $434,000 in additional income. The cost of managing the increased inmate population and funding the initial investment in the facility would be approximately $199,000, providing a return of $235,000 per year on the expansion.

 Achieving both these goals would increase the income to the Detention Center by $475,000 per year, thus eliminating the need for the county to subsidize the Detention Center from its general fund.

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More movement detected at old Ledbetter Bridge

A sensor placed on the Old Ledbetter Bridge by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet engineers and inspectors detected additional movement in west approach spans on the Old Ledbetter Bridge this weekend.  

On April 30, transportation officials received word two approach span sections on the McCracken Side of the bridge had dropped about 2 feet. The Old Ledbetter Bridge has been closed and awaiting demolition since traffic moved to the New US 60 Tennessee River Bridge on July 31, 2013.

After getting a call from a resident on April 30th, inspectors found a land slip along the bluff below the bridge had moved two of the land-based piers supporting the west approach spans.   Since that initial investigation, inspectors have regularly checked the aging structure for additional signs of movement.  On Friday, the Kentucky Transportation Center installed sensor and a video camera to monitor the slumping approach spans.

Over the weekend the sensor sent an alert indicating additional earth movement at the site.  The additional 1/2 inch of movement means the approach spans have showed 2.75 inches of both vertical and horizontal movement in the last week, indicating the shifting hillside is continuing to move the land-based approach piers.

Engineers and geologists were hopeful dryer weather over the last few days would allow the bluff to stabilize.

While an earlier assessment indicated a collapse of the approach spans is not likely to impact the main truss over the river navigation channel, engineers and geologists have continued to closely monitor the bluff for additional soil movement

Transportation officials continue to urge the public to avoid areas beneath the bridge approach spans on the McCracken County side of the river and stay away from areas of the bluff that show signs of land movement. 

Technicians plan to place solar powered navigation lights on the main truss spans and piers in case power to the existing lights should be cut by an additional drop in the approach spans. 

On Thursday the Transportation Cabinet signed a $5.6 million agreement for expedited demolition of the old bridge with Kay & Kay/Hayden Bridge Joint Venture, the group that constructed the New US 60 Tennessee River Bridge.

Transportation officials have continued to be in regular communication with the U.S. Coast Guard and McCracken County Emergency Management about the ailing approach spans and the land slippage along the bluff.

McCracken County Emergency Management Director Jerome Mansfield continues to remind residents with homes overlooking the river along off Camel Back Road to report anything unusual that might indicate additional movement of land along the bluff.

Highway traffic was moved off the Old Ledbetter Bridge last July when the New Ledbetter Bridge opened to traffic, so the main concern about the stability of the old structure is the potential threat to river traffic.  The main river navigation span has been carefully checked and deemed safe for boats passing under it.

Geologists from the Kentucky Geological Survey have visited the site twice to map and monitor the land slippage.  On Thursday, engineers found an old concrete stairway they had used to access areas below the bridge the day of their original investigation had been moved down the bluff by the landslide and could no longer be used.

With the recent fatal landslide in Washington State, a sinkhole that developed under the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, and several smaller sinkholes and landslides around the region, Emergency Management officials want residents of the bluff near the Old Ledbetter Bridge to remain alert for any additional signs of land movement.

The Old Ledbetter Bridge opened to traffic in 1931.  It was restricted to a 3-ton load limit in January 2012 while the new bridge was under construction just upstream.  KYTC officials expedited construction of the new bridge and it opened to traffic on July 31, 2013, eleven months ahead of schedule.

Perspective sets Rogers apart

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Election Fraud Hotline open Tuesday

As voters prepare to head to the polls Tuesday, Attorney General Jack Conway reminds Kentuckians that they can help his office combat vote fraud by using the Election Fraud Hotline. Kentuckians who witness election irregularities or possible election law violations are encouraged to call the Election Fraud Hotline at 800-328-VOTE (800-328-8683).

“Our Election Fraud Hotline is an important tool in the fight to ensure honest and fair elections for all Kentuckians,” Conway said. “I want to encourage voters to be our eyes and ears in the polling places and report any election irregularities to our hotline.”

The Attorney General’s Election Fraud Hotline is open throughout the year during normal business hours and from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day. The hotline received 31 calls from 14 counties during the 2012 Primary Election and 183 calls from 57 counties during the 2012 General Election.

Investigators from the Office of the Attorney General will also be patrolling precincts and polling places across the Commonwealth during Tuesday’s primary. Conway’s office has also worked closely with the Secretary of State’s Office, United States Attorney’s offices in Eastern and Western Kentucky and other members of the Kentucky Election Integrity Task Force to protect the integrity of the election.

By law, the Office of the Attorney General has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute election law violations. The office is also required by statute to conduct post-election audits in six randomly drawn counties within 30 days of the election.

The Attorney General’s Office will send hotline updates to the media at 9:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m., after the polls close.

You can follow Attorney General Conway on Twitter @kyoag, visit the Attorney General’s Facebook page or view videos on our YouTube channel.

Several roads in Caldwell County to be paved starting Tuesday

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) plans asphalt paving along several highways in Caldwell County starting Tuesday.  Paving locations include:

• KY 70/Marion Road/Main Street in Fredonia from the intersection with US 641 extending eastward to the KY 91 Y at mile point 0.492, a distance of 0.492 miles.
• KY 91/Marion Road from mile point 19.229 at Pleasant Valley Road extending north to the KY 70 Y at mile point 23.389, a distance of 4.16 miles.
• KY 70 from Goodsprings Road at mile point 3.7 extending eastward to KY 1077 at mile point 5.411, a distance of 1.70 miles.
• KY 70/Short 70 Road from KY 293 at mile point 14.923 extending eastward to the Caldwell-Hopkins County Line at mile point 15.7, a distance of 0.81 miles.
• KY 672 from mile point 9.3 near Markham Road extending north to near Amon Lisanby Road at mile point 10.03, a distance of 1 mile.
• KY 903 at mile point 3.2 extending northward to the KY 293 intersection, at mile point 4.377, a distance of 1.18 miles.
• KY 1119/Briarfield Road from mile point 3.507 near Shady Grove Spur Road extending westward to near Lemon Road at mile point 4.874, a distance of 1.37 miles.
• KY 1627/Mt. Hebron Church Road from mile point 7.0 near KY 672 extending eastward to KY 672 at mile point 7.985, a distance of just under 1 mile.

Asphalt paving is expected to start on Tuesday.  Motorists should be alert for one lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers during daylight hours.

Caution is required in the work zone where equipment, flaggers, and construction personnel are along the roadway in close proximity to traffic flow.

Rogers Group is the prime contractor on this highway improvement project.  This group paving project is expected to be complete by about June 6, weather permitting.

Wanted: Man sought by police

Jordan Wadsworth

UPDATE: Wadsworth was arrested about approximately 4pm Sunday in Marshall County without incident by Trooper Donald Crawford.

Jordan Wadsorth, 23, of Marion is wanted by local authorities for evading police and other charges following a fight with a deputy last night in Dycusburg.

Crittenden County Deputy Greg Rushing attempted to serve multiple warrants on Wadsworth about 7:30 p.m., Friday night when the suspect resisted. The two got into a scuffle and the deputy tased Wadsworth but was still unable to subdue him.

Deputy Rushing was later taken to Western Baptist Hospital in serious condition for chest pains. After a medical procedure, Rushing is improving today.

Marion Police Department, Kentucky State Police, sheriff's deputies, a K9 unit and county constables all joined in the search in and around Dycusburg until 2 a.m., but Wadsworth was never found.

If you see this man or know of his whereabouts, contact the Marion Police Department at 270-965-3500.

SALE TODAY at CONRAD'S

CONRAD'S SALE ENDS TODAY Click Image to Enlarge

Candidate details his revenue plan

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I have stressed during my campaign that our Crittenden County Detention Center is a business within our county government. The first priority of our next Crittenden County Jailer is to make our jail safe and secure. The next is to ensure that the Detention Center is managed as a business to reduce or eliminate the need for the county to subsidize its operation. I have a Two-Point Plan to achieve this goal.

• Expand contracts with the State Road Department

  We currently have two road crews working with the state road department , bringing $80,000 per crew to the jail. I will negotiate with the state to increase the number of crews to five which would increase the jail's income by $240,000 per year.

• Increase the number of inmates that we currently house

  The county owns property and buildings adjacent to the Detention Center that can be converted to house up to 35 Class-One Inmates, freeing up 35 beds in the current jail. At the current state reimbursement rate, this would generate $434,000 in additional income. The cost of managing the increased inmate population and funding the initial investment in the facility would be approximately $199,000, providing a return of $235,000 per year on the expansion.

 Achieving both these goals would increase the income to the Detention Center by $475,000 per year, thus eliminating the need for the county to subsidize the Detention Center from its general fund.

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Paving to restrict traffic in Livingston

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict traffic to one lane on Ky. 453/Iuka Road in Livingston County starting Saturday,.

This lane restriction along KY 453/Iuka Road is to allow asphalt paving from the intersection of Coon Chapel Road at mile point 13.990 extending southward to the intersection with Ky. 93 at mile-point 8.282, a distance of 5.7 miles.

Motorists should be alert for one lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers in the work zone. Caution is required where equipment, flaggers, and construction personnel are along the roadway in close proximity to traffic flow.

Jim Smith contracting is the prime contractor.  Work in this area is expected to take about a week to complete, weather permitting.

Officials urge 'Learn Before You Burn'

Spring-cleaning season has arrived, and for many Kentuckians that means burning unwanted debris.  But before you light that burn pile, the Kentucky Division for Air Quality (DAQ) reminds you to ‘learn before you burn.’  Many people may not realize that burning garbage is illegal in Kentucky and could result in fines of up to $25,000 per day per violation.

“Garbage doesn’t just disappear when it is burned,” said DAQ Director Sean Alteri.  “Burning garbage emits dangerous pollutants into the atmosphere that are harmful to public health.”  Dioxins, hydrochloric acid, formaldehyde and heavy metals are just some of the toxic substances found in smoke from backyard burning of garbage, Alteri added.

Children, the elderly and those with existing health problems like asthma and heart disease are most at risk from open burning.  Children are particularly sensitive to air pollution because their bodies are still developing.  Children also breathe 50 percent more oxygen per pound of body weight than adults do, so their lungs are exposed to more harmful pollutants.

State law prohibits the burning of many materials including plastic, tires, cans, coated wire, carpeting and food waste.  In addition, the burning of trailers, buildings, and construction and demolition debris such as shingles, drywall and insulation is prohibited.  Painted, stained or treated wood products like fence posts, pallets, and furniture are illegal to burn, because they release dangerous toxins into the air.  Items that cannot be recycled should be taken to a state-permitted landfill.

Open burning isn’t just unhealthy, it’s also dangerous.  A small fire can quickly spread, especially during windy weather, resulting in widespread damage.  This year in April alone, the Kentucky Division of Forestry reported 385 separate wildfires burning a total of 11,521 acres.  This is 100 fires more than last year’s total for April.

Some open burning is legal with restrictions.  Campfires, fires for cooking, and fires to dispose of tree limbs are permitted in most counties, except when a county-wide burn ban has been declared, or when prohibited by local ordinance.

Use common sense before burning anything:

• Never burn within 50 feet of any structure.
• Never burn near streams or sinkholes.
• Never burn near landfills or under utility lines.

To report illegal open burning or to learn more about open burning restrictions in your area, please call the Division for Air Quality’s open burn hotline at (888) BURN-LAW or visit http://air.ky.gov.

GOP hosts open house

Crittenden County Republican Party will host a open house at its headquarters on Main Street across from the courthouse beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. There will be real-time election results and an opportunity to hear candidates speak after the election. Light refreshments will be served.

Click It or Ticket campaign starts Monday

Motorists who refuse to wear their seat belts – beware.  The Kentucky State Police is joining the 2014 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization on Monday to help save lives by cracking down on those who don’t buckle up. 

 

“As motorists take to the roads to celebrate the long Memorial Day weekend, we want to ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safe and sound,” Captain Nathan Kent said.  “We’ll be out in force – day and night – prepared to ticket anyone not wearing a seat belt.”

 

There were 638 total highway fatalities in Kentucky in 2013, with 483 killed in motor vehicles.  Of those 483 fatalities, 278 were not wearing a seat belt.

 

“There are too many people dying on our roads,” Kent said. “Many of those lives could have been saved with the simple snap of a seat belt.” 

 

Kentucky’s seat belt usage rate increased with the passage of the primary law from 67.2 percent in 2006 to 85 percent in 2013.  However, that is still below the national usage rate of 87 percent.  

 

For more on the national Click It or Ticketmobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.

CCES awards, graduation set

Fifth-grade graduation and the Crittenden County Elementary School awards programs are slated for Thursday.

The awards ceremony for third and fourth grades will be from 9 to 10 a.m., while the awards for kindergarten and first and second grades will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Fifth-grade graduation will begin at 6 p.m.

Old Ledbetter Bridge to be demolished

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) has arranged for emergency demolition of the old U.S. 60 bridge over the Tennessee River between McCracken and Livingston counties.

The old Ledbetter Bridge, closed to traffic since July 2013, has become unstable because of land slippage along the McCracken County river bank following heavy rains on April 29.

A joint venture of Haydon Bridge Co. and Kay and Kay Construction Co., which built the new U.S. 60 Tennessee River Bridge, will carry out demolition of the old structure under a change order to its contract. The company is completing finish work on the new bridge.

The negotiated price of the demolition will be $5.62 million. The contractor is to begin work immediately, with the first step being to mobilize equipment and conduct a thorough engineering analysis.

While the main truss spans of the old bridge are stable, two approach spans have dropped about 2 feet due to slippage of the ground under their piers.

“Quick action is needed, and this is the fastest way to eliminate a potential hazard to river traffic,” State Highway Engineer Steve Waddle said.

A schedule for the project calls for crews to spend four weeks removing the bridge deck, beginning about June 10. Next would be removal of the steel truss, requiring most of July. Support piers would be cleared by the end of August. All work, including debris cleanup and demobilization, would be completed by Dec. 1.

After receiving a report that two west-end approach spans had dropped, KyTC inspectors found that a landslide had occurred and had caused the bases of two approach piers on the McCracken County side to move.

Due to concern about possible damage to the main truss spans, the U.S. Coast Guard closed the river to marine traffic until inspectors determined that the main spans were safe. River traffic resumed with an advisory that boats should avoid stopping along the bluff near the bridge.

The old Ledbetter Bridge opened to traffic in 1931. It was reduced to a 3-ton load limit in January 2012, which led to expedited opening of the new bridge on July 31, 2013.

Big-time honor tonight

Have you seen today's Crittenden Press printed edition to know why this local librarian is being honored tonight by the Chamber of Commerce?

Grab a paper and read all about it.

Some other things you might miss if you don't read The Press.

1. Denver Tabor is honored
2. Louis Myers is honored
3. Old Druther's property sells
4. Marion Feed Mill is celebrating
5. Lady Rockets have broken a record

McConnell's plan to increase jail revenue

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I have stressed during my campaign that our Crittenden County Detention Center is a business within our county government. The first priority of our next Crittenden County Jailer is to make our jail safe and secure. The next is to ensure that the Detention Center is managed as a business to reduce or eliminate the need for the county to subsidize its operation. I have a Two-Point Plan to achieve this goal.

• Expand contracts with the State Road Department

  We currently have two road crews working with the state road department , bringing $80,000 per crew to the jail. I will negotiate with the state to increase the number of crews to five which would increase the jail's income by $240,000 per year.

• Increase the number of inmates that we currently house

  The county owns property and buildings adjacent to the Detention Center that can be converted to house up to 35 Class-One Inmates, freeing up 35 beds in the current jail. At the current state reimbursement rate, this would generate $434,000 in additional income. The cost of managing the increased inmate population and funding the initial investment in the facility would be approximately $199,000, providing a return of $235,000 per year on the expansion.

 Achieving both these goals would increase the income to the Detention Center by $475,000 per year, thus eliminating the need for the county to subsidize the Detention Center from its general fund.

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Motorist Alert: I-24 Trigg County

UPDATE: One lane is now open.

The westbound lanes of I-24 are blocked by a tractor-trailer rollover crash at the 63-mile marker in Trigg County.

The truck was hauling pallets. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet personnel are on site and attempting to clear the shoulder area to allow traffic around the crash scene. Caution will be required.

To reduce delays, traffic may choose to self-detour via US 68 and KY 139.

Marion's dress headquarters

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Old Ledbetter Bridge drops additional inch

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet engineers and inspectors say the have detected an additional 1 inch of movement in west approach spans on the Old Ledbetter Bridge during the last 24 hours.  The approach spans have moved about 3.25 inches total in the last three days.  There has also been additional movement of soil along the bluff near the bridge on the McCracken County side of the Tennessee River.

Engineers have been monitoring the bridge every few hours since April 30^th, when they received word two approach span sections on the McCracken Side of the bridge had dropped about 2 ft.  The Old Ledbetter Bridge has been closed and awaiting demolition since traffic moved to the New US 60 Tennessee River Bridge on July 31, 2013.

The additional 1 inch of movement came after about 1 inch of rain in a 24 hour period.  Another inch of rain is possible before precipitation trails off tonight, prompting McCracken County Emergency Management Agency officials to touch base with nearby residents to remind them to be alert for signs of land moving along the bluff.

McCracken County Emergency Management Director Jerome Mansfield was returning from a disaster planning conference in Lexington to continue monitoring the area.

In additional to the 1 inch of movement at a monitoring point on the bridge deck, inspectors said a concrete stairway that they used to access the lower part of the bluff on April 30^th slid down the bluff with moving soil.

When they first investigated on April 30^th, inspectors found a land slip along the bluff below the bridge had moved two of the land-based piers.   Since that initial investigation, inspectors have regularly checked the aging structure for additional signs of movement.

According to KYTC Spokesman Keith Todd, the Kentucky Transportation Research Center is sending a seismic sensor that will be attached to the bridge to alert inspectors to any substantial shift in the sagging approach spans.

“We expect to have the sensor on site for installation sometime Thursday.  Nearby resident Bill Schroeder has offered to temporarily supply power to the sensor until it can be attached to a more permanent power supply,” Todd said.

While an earlier assessment indicated a collapse of the approach spans is not likely to impact the main truss over the river navigation channel, the continued movement of the approach prompted engineers to step up a number of ongoing activities:

• Regular monitoring of the approach spans for additional movement
• Placement of a seismic sensor on the approach spans (Likely Thursday)
• Placement of solar powered navigation lights on the main span and piers in case an approach span collapse cuts power to the bridge
• Continued negotiations with contractors in an effort to expedite demolition of the bridge
• Continued communication with the US Coast Guard about developments at the site
• Continued interaction with McCracken County Emergency Management 

At this time, no evacuation of homes along the bluff has been ordered.  Emergency management personnel have talked to nearby homeowners to update them on additional movement of land along the bluff.

While vehicular traffic was moved off the Old Ledbetter Bridge last July when the New Ledbetter Bridge opened to traffic, the stability of the bridge is still of concern to river traffic.

The Old Ledbetter Bridge opened to traffic in 1931.  It was restricted to a 3-ton load limit in January 2012 while the new bridge was under construction just upstream.  KYTC officials expedited construction of the new bridge and it opened to traffic on July 31, 2013, eleven months ahead of schedule.