Area deaths

Aretta Elizabeth Eggleston, 37, of Marion died Jan. 29, 2015, in Marion. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

James Willard Patmor, 89 of Marion died Jan. 29, 2015, at his home. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Patricia Joy McConnell, 60, of Marion died Jan. 29, 2015, at her home. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Kathern Elliott, 86, of Madisonville died today at Baptist Health Madisonville. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Johnson's Mattress Sale Starts Now

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Area deaths

Janie Faye Howard Villalobos, 73, of Salem died today at her home. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is handling arrangements.

Marion Doug Binkley, 72, of Marion died today at Salem Spring Lake Nursing Home. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is handling arrangements.

Truck stolen from Morganfield

Authorities are on the lookout for a stolen truck out of Union County. The red, four-door 2012 Ford 350 was taken from Morganfield this morning. The license number is 5751DN.

If you recognize this vehicle, contact local authorities at (270) 965-3500.

More paint vandalism found in Marion

For what ever reason, vandalism is certainly on the rise in Marion. Over the past few days, someone has painted graffiti on walls and other surfaces at the park, school and WMJL radio station. In another incident, a church cemetery near town was badly damaged by ruts from a vehicle.

The public can help by looking at these symbols scrawled with paint on public and private buildings throughout the community and letting police know if you have any suspicions about who might be responsible.

Park vandalized again with paint can

Vandals painted graffiti on multiple buildings and other surfaces at Marion-Crittenden County Park this week.

Marion police are investigating the incident, and park officials are offering a reward for anyone who might provide information about who did it. Anyone with clues may call Tipline at 270-965-3000 and remain anonymous.

This is the fourth time this winter that the park has been vandalized. Public funds are required to repair and clean up the park every time it is hit by vandals.

Since this is a unique form of graffiti, police and park officials think the public may recognize the symbolism.

Who ever did the scrawling on the buildings also had several blue and white name tags, as pictured in inset.

Job Fair tomorrow at Salem Springlake

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What's News this Week in Marion ?

Guess who's going to college on a scholarship...

Wow! After a few slow weeks in the local news business things really picked up this week. There are volumes of
reading in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Here are a few of the interesting story lines we've been following for you this week:

• Parents will need to be aware that schools are reviewing emergency response plans and there will be some updates.
• Local graveyard badly damaged by vandals.
• Diving fuel prices may mean more potholes on your road but school officials are celebrating savings.
• Need a shirt cleaned? Look elsewhere.
• Adult education getting a curveball.
• From cars to congressmen, car lot was an institution.
• Hunt's days numbered as agent.
• Fire leaves Marion couple in need of help.
• Sheriff needs help to solve burglaries.
• Underdown: Haunted bridge over Piney.
• Duvall and Estes capture poetry-story prizes.
• A local student signs athletic scholarship.
• New deer numbers could mean bigger bucks.

Copies of The Press will be available on newsstands this afternoon. 

Remember, most of these articles appear ONLY in the printed edition. Call today to subscribe 270-965-3191. We can get you going right over the phone.

Gender switch on tonight's ball games

Rockets have one more regular
season game against Livingston.

The Lady Rockets will play the second game at Union County tonight and the boys will open the varsity
doubleheader at 6 p.m.

Girls teams have traditionally played the first game when there is a varsity doubleheader, but some schools have gone to a format that changes the lineup periodically. Tonight is one of those events.

Crittenden hosts Livingston Central Friday night at Rocket Arena in the final Fifth District games of the regular season.

Sullivan man sought by police

THE HENDERSON GLEANER
Union County authorities are searching for a man who assaulted a police officer and then fled from the area.

Sturgis Police Officer Eric McCallister said Jake W. Cowan, 28, Sullivan, is wanted for second-degree assault on a police officer, first-degree fleeing/evading police, resisting arrest, disregarding a stop sign, failure to produce insurance card and driving on a suspended/revoked license.

McCallister said he stopped Cowan for disregarding a stop sign. Further investigation revealed that Cowan was wanted on other charges. When McCallister tried to take Cowan into custody, "Cowan struck Officer McCallister in the face and fled on foot," a news release said.

Police are still trying to locate Cowan.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Union County Dispatch Center at (270) 389-4357.

Circuit clerk's office closed Tuesday

Crittenden County Circuit Clerk's office will be closed Tuesday for installation of its new eFiling system, according to Circuit Clerk Melissa Guill.

KSP has shortage of troopers

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Kentucky State Police force is about 100 troopers short of its authorized staffing level, due in part to retirements and challenges in finding recruits.

The agency currently has 910 troopers, including 69 new trainees that graduated last week.

Trooper Paul Blanton at state police headquarters in Frankfort told Owensboro newspaper that a recent cadet class had 63 graduates, but there were 62 trooper retirements during the cadet training period.

Blanton says there are challenges in recruiting eligible applicants, and readying a new cadet class takes a long time.

He says some applicants, like those who have visible tattoos, get disqualified at the start.

Still others who become troopers later leave the KSP for other law enforcement agencies.

Instant Debit Cards at Farmers Bank!

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All A Classic Semifinal Round

Crittenden County's boys' basketball team plays at 7:30pm tonight at Smithland against host Livingston Central in
the semifinal round of the All A Classic.

Dawson Springs plays University Heights in tonight's 6pm semifinal. UHA beat Lyon earlier this week in a first round game. Crittenden received a bye.

The winners of tonight's games play tomorrow night for the Second Region small-school championship at Livingston.

New signal on Main Street is smarter

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has completed work to replace the aging traffic signal at the intersection in downtown Marion.

The new signal was put into service about 1 p.m., today, and the old signal heads were removed.  

Initially, engineers thought the installation might require some overnight closures of the busy intersection with no viable detour for semi trucks traveling US 60.  However, with some creative parking of bucket trucks at the corners, the installation was completed with minimal traffic disruptions during daylight.

The upgrade includes wireless pucks to detect traffic on the east and west legs of the intersection to improve efficiency of traffic flow.  This means the new signal can remain green for heavier through traffic on US 60/Main Street unless traffic on the side street is present to activate it. 

Approximately 11,000 vehicles pass through the intersection in downtown Marion in an average day.

Wendell Ford dead at 90

Wendell Ford, a former governor and U.S. senator, has died at age 90.
 
Ford died Thursday morning at his home. 
 
Ford retired in 1998 rather than run for a fifth term in the Senate. He was the Democratic whip, the party's No. 2 leadership post.
 

Woman injured in rollover accident

A single-vehicle accident on US 60 East just past the city limits sent one woman to the hospital shortly after 3
p.m., today.

The vehicle was apparently heading into town when it ran off the highway and overturned.

The driver was the only occupant of the car and she was able to get out of the vehicle on her own. She was taken to Crittenden Hospital by ambulance.

Area death

Edith R. Mutter, 73, of Hopkinsville died Jan. 21, 2015, at Jennie Stuart Medical Center in Hopkinsville. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is handling arrangements.

Downtown lights changed out today

Delays at the downtown stop light at Main and Bellville streets can expected at times today as state transportation crews change out the lighting system.

A new LED lighting system is replacing old the red lights.

Job Fair next week at Salem Springlake

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Area death

Laverne Hill Travis, 83, of Marion died today at Baptist Health Paducah. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is handling arrangements.

What's News this Week in Marion!

There's big news brewing on Main Street and beyond. See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for more details. Papers will be on sale this afternoon.

Here are some things you can expect:

• Big moves on Main Street should provide little change for diners.
• Local tax return preparers have some tips about this year's changes.
• Fundraiser planned to help Salem couple.
• Noah Hadfield has big plans after graduation.
• Underdown: History of the town's courthouse.
• New jailer taking count of inmates in detention center.
• Georgia, Jacob, Riley, Hannah and many more are Rocket Role Models.
• Dean's List from WKU is announced.
• Health Living Section has great tips for workouts to braces.
• Kylee, Kevin, Erica, Gwen are students of the month. Do you know which school they attend?
• Basketball boys gear up for All A Classic Friday.
• Marion Shopko is on a short list. Found out which one.

Livingston livestock report unavailable

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s report for Tuesday’s Ledbetter livestock auction was unavailable at press time for publication in this week's issue of The Crittenden Press. Find the weekly report online at http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/sv_ls150.txt.

Area death

Bobbie Jean Rice, 63, of Marion died Jan. 17, 2015, at Crittenden Health Systems in Marion. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Traffic Alert: Twin Bridges at Henderson-Evansville

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict northbound traffic to one lane on the US 41 Twin Bridges between Henderson and Evansville on Tuesday, January 20.

Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane starting about 8:30 a.m., to allow maintenance work on a utility catwalk beneath the bridge deck. 

All northbound traffic will move to the left-hand or passing lane in this work zone. This northbound lane restriction is expected to be in place until approximately 3:00 p.m., tomorrow.

Motorists should use appropriate caution where equipment, flaggers, and personnel are along the roadway in close proximity to traffic flow.

Truck fire quickly extinguished in Marion

Marion firemen quickly extinguished a pickup truck that was engulfed in flames at dusk this afternoon on North College Street.

Firefighters took less than a minute to get the fire put out once they were on the scene.

District titles on line tonight at Rocket Arena

Fifth District regular-season championships are on the line tonight at Rocket Arena.

Read all about it and see dozens of action photographs, click here.

IT'S BACK: Friday and Saturday at Conrad's

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Basketball Fellowship Sunday at Life in Christ

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Snow closes schools today in Crittenden

A blanket of snowfall, primarily in the northern most part of the county, has prompted school offcials to cancel classes today in Crittenden County. Further snow is forecast throughtout the morning, school offficials said.

Area death

James Donald "Don" Taylor, 86, of Marion died Jan. 13, 2015, at Crittenden Health Systems. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Authorities arrest local man, 2 others on drug charges

A Marion man, along with two out-of-town subjects, were arrested Tuesday on various charges as part of a drug sting.

According to a news release issued today by Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force, Barkley T. Belt, 20, of Marion was arrested after allegedly selling 9.2 grams of "Molly"  to a police officer Tuesday as part of a controlled purchase. The Molly, also known as Ecstasy, was valued at $1,700.

Marion Police Department and Crittenden County Sheriff's Department assisted in the arrest of Belt along with two accomplices, Kamiah Timpe, 35, of Benton and Angela M. Orr, 36, of Louisville.

All three suspects were charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance. Timpe faces an additional charge of operating on a suspended or revoked license, while Orr faces an additional charge of possession of marijuana.

All of the subjects were lodged in Crittenden County Detention Center.

According to the task force, Molly is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that has similarities to both the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline.

To report drug activity to the task force anonymously, phone their information line at (800) 624-4596 or visit their website at PNTF.us.

What's News this Week in Marion...

This week's Crittenden Press will bring you these and other interesting and informative articles:

• Editor Daryl Tabor interviewed Tink Hicklin just days before his passing.
• Relay for Life gets its 2015 campaign going
• Legislative news from area lawmakers
• Three sentenced in circuit court
• Methodist pastor doubles as scout master
• Council addresses home sewer issue
• Underdown: Early courthouses rich in character
• Basketball teams host critical showdowns Friday

Deposit straight from your phone!

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Area Death

Ronald "Tink" Hicklin, 96, of Marion died last night just before 10 p.m., at Crittenden Hospital. He was a longtime
Marion businessman and very well known in the community. Hicklin was a member of Marion United Methodist Church. The funeral is 2 p.m., Sunday at Gilbert Funeral Home. Visitation will be Saturday night 6-8.

Area death

Paul Edward Sunderland, 70, of Salem died Jan. 9, 2015, at Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services in Salem. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Traffic Alert I-24

The westbound lane of I-24 near Lyon-Caldwell line is one lane for most of the morning due to semi accident.

FINAL DAYS: Johnson's Mattress Sale

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FINAL DAYS: Johnson's Mattress Sale

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Big District Games Tonight at Lyon County

The Rockets play first at 6pm and the Lady Rockets play the nightcap at Lyon County tonight. Both games will likely decide who wins the Fifth District regular-season championship.

LISTEN TO THE COACHES TALK ABOUT TONIGHT'S GAMES

Most teens get RX drugs from medicine cabinets

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION

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Gas dips below $2 in Marion

The price of gasoline in Marion dipped below $2 per gallon today for the first time in recent memory.

“As we've welcomed in the new year, gas prices have stayed at their bargain basement levels in most states, with just a few seeing minor gas tax increases,” said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy.com. “2015 will be a far better year at the pump than what we saw in 2014, and motorists will shell out $96 billion less this year for gas."

Area deaths

Maxine Maholland, 91, of Clarksville, Tenn., died Jan. 5, 2015. Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home in Clarksville is in charge of arrangements.

Barbara J. Shuecraft, 80, of Salem died Jan. 8, 2015, at her daughter's home in Salem. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is handling arrangements

Marilyn Pease Tramel, 78, of Evansville, Ind., died Jan. 6, 2015, at Deaconess VNA Plus Hospice. Alexander West Chapel of Evansville is handling arrangements.

Area deaths

Eddie Hayden Dycus, 87, of Eddyville died Jan. 5, 2015, at Caldwell Medical Center in Princeton. Dunn's Funeral Home in Eddyville is in charge of arrangements.

Carman Ann Hunt, 79, of Rosiclare, Ill., died Jan. 6, 2015, at Hardin County General Hospital in Rosiclare. Lindsey Funeral Home in Paducah is in charge of arrangements.

What's News this Week in Marion

Learn about Crittenden's ties to this Russellville
home in this week's Press.

Making News this Week in Marion this week is something old, something new, something on layaway and something
blue!

Yep, there's something for everyone in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, on newsstands this afternoon.

Here is a glance at some of the topics this week:

• Co-op coming to farmers rescue in Salem
• Relay kicks off in Marion
• New news for out-of-work miners
• Flu causing big problems
• Where did Crittenden come from
• Rescue chief weighs in on plane crash
• New social studies teacher
• How to reach an officer
• Back to School: 1940s model
• Local ball teams among region's best

Temperature could hit zero this week

Look out western Kentucky. It's about to be very cold. Temperatures could drop as low as zero degrees Wednesday night or Thursday morning. That is unusually low for this week of the winter in western Kentucky, though it could be worse; zero is 15 degrees warmer than the region's lowest recorded temperature. The all-time coldest temperature for the Paducah area, without factoring in wind chill, came 30 years ago when it reached minus 15 degrees on Jan. 20, 1985.

Crittenden County Courthouse will be open as a warming shelter the rest of the week, reports the judge-executive's office.

For the full story, visit The Paducah Sun online.

Full Version Web Server Down

UPDATE: Server is back up and all files should now be available.

The Crittenden Press web server which provides Full Version PDF pages of the newspaper and some of the other services, such as archives, videos and audio files, is currently unavailable.

We are working to resolve the issue. Thank you for your patience.

Area death

Jean Sanford Buckalew, 76, of Orlando, Fla., died Dec. 30, 2014, at Florida Hospital Orlando of complications following lung surgery. DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory - Maitland Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

James R. "Bob" Hall, 90, of Marion died Jan. 5, 2015, at Crittenden Health Systems. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Where do teens get RX drugs?

Be Part of the Solution

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Sheriff's Department warns about scam

Crittenden County Sheriff's Department is warning area churches of a potential scam.  Deputy Chuck Hoover said an African-American couple approached two rural churches asking for money this morning.  Both churches made donations to the couple. Police have reason to be suspicious about this acivity, and Hoover is warning individuals to be mindful. If your church experiences such a request, he urges you to report it by calling Marion dispatch at (270) 965-3500.

Small aircraft crashes in Lyon County

Marty and Kimberly Gutzler in a photo posted to
a social media site while they were in Key West.

UPDATE 2: The Kentucky State Police has said in a statement that the victims of the Friday evening crash have
been identified as 49-year-old Marty Gutzler; 45-year-old Kimberly Gutzler; their daughter, 9-year-old Piper Gutzler; and her cousin, 14-year-old Sierra Wilder. All four were from Nashville, Ill.

It appears, based on social media postings, that the family had been vacationing in Key West over the New Year's holiday and were returning to southern Illinois where they owned a furniture store.

According to NBC news reports, the little girl who survived had walked three-quarters of a mile through the dense woods to a nearby home. A man at the house interviewed by NBC said the seven-year-old told him her mom and dad had died in the crash. She was wearing just one sock and nothing on the other foot, he told NBC.

UPDATE According to state police four are dead in plane crash. Appears to be a single family with a babysitter, according to WPSD. The wreckage was found in a heavily wooded area near Suwanee.

ORIGINAL POST: A small airplane has crashed in the Suwanee area not too far from Buzzard Rock Resort in Lyon County.

Although details remain sketchy, reports are that a seven-year-old girl who survived the crash walked to a nearby home seeking help. Reports from citizens near the crash site say that three or four others were in the plane. No word yet on their fate.

The plane was reportedly en route to Illinois from Florida.

Buckberry Road near Chestnut Oak Methodist Church has been blocked off by authorities.

According to Flight Aware, visibility was five miles and the cloud ceiling was 500 feet at the time authorities were notified of the crash, around 6:30 p.m. A distress call was made from the plane at 5:55 p.m.

The young girl has been taken to a nearby hospital.

Former Marion pharmacist dies

Nelson

Former Marion pharmacist Mickey Nelson has died at a Paducah hospital.

Nelson was owner and operator of Nelson's Drugs on Main Street for many years. He was hospitalized with a sudden heart condition just days before Christmas. He was 75.

Area deaths

Willa Dean Driskill, 81, of Fredonia died Dec. 31, 2014, at Crittenden Health Systems in Marion following a long illness. Lakeland Funeral Home in Eddyville is in charge of arrangements.

Connie Shaffer, 81, of Marion died Jan. 2, 2015, at Methodist Hospital Union County in Morganfield. Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis is in charge of arrangements.

Milton Y. Butler Sr., 94, of Marshall, Mich., died Dec. 31, 2014, at his home. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is charge of local arrangements.