EMS responding to accident on Wilson Farm Road

Decker

Update: The deceased victim was longtime golf course owner Neil Decker, who operated a gym and racquet club at the site along with his Rough Country Golf Course. Decker was 64.

Original post: EMS and other emergency personnel have responded to a 911 call on Wilson Farm Road where it appears that there has been a lawnmower accident.

The 911 call was received at central dispatching at approximately 1:40pm on Monday.

The county coroner has also been dispatched to the scene.

Mother's Day Cake Sale

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Elk hunt application deadline tonight

Hunters interested in entering this year’s elk hunt drawing have until 11 p.m., today, April 30 to buy applications. Hunters can apply online at the department’s website, fw.ky.gov.

Kentucky residents and non-residents are eligible to apply for four permit types but can only be drawn for one. Each application costs $10.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife will issue 700 general quota hunt permits and 10 youth permits this year through a random computer drawing conducted in early May by the Kentucky Commonwealth Office of Technology. Results will be available to applicants on the department’s website May 15.

Sixty-four percent of bull elk hunters using a gun last year enjoyed a successful hunt and 48 percent of hunters utilizing archery equipment successfully harvested a bull.

Revival underway at Marion Baptist

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YELP! at the Park arrives Saturday

YELP! at the Park arrives tomorrow with a car show, animal adoption drive, Little League Jamboree, unveiling of an interactive mural, book walk around the walking trail and more. Above, David Combs and his son Caleb are put up the book signs around the park today.

Presentation features Rosie the Riveter

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Marion struggling to make budget balance

With only a few weeks remaining before a new municipal spending plan must be approved, Marion City Council is facing some tough decisions to achieve a balanced budget.

The draft budget is currently $46,000 in the red, according to City Administrator Adam Ledford, leaving a wide gap that somehow has to be closed. That means that between now and the start of a new fiscal year on July 1, extensive cuts, new revenue or a combination of the two will have to be found.

But the gap in revenue and spending was close to being and even wider chasm before state lawmakers recently approved some relief to local governments.

In the final two days of the 2018 Kentucky General Assembly regular session, the legislature overturned a gubernatorial veto of a measure to phase in a hike to mandated employer contributions to the public employee retirement system. Had that veto override not succeeded, the city would have been facing a divide of more than $100,000 to equalize expenses with revenue.

House Bill 362 will bump the city’s estimated payment, according to a Kentucky League of Cities study, to $184,165 for the coming fiscal year. That’s an increase of almost $20,000 to the current year’s payment. But had action not been taken over the weekend, the additional hit would have been more than $76,000.

The legislation caps the year-over-year increase in employer contributions at 12 percent per year for no more than 10 years, moving the rate to 21.48 percent of salaries for Fiscal Year 2019. Before the measure, Kentucky cities were .... for more on this article, see the April 19, 2018 printed edition of The Crittenden Press. Archives papers are available at the newspaper office or online with a subscription http://crittendenpress.blogspot.com/p/subscribe-full-version.html.

Country Club Drive getting restriction signage

By the close of the month, motorists could notice signs indicating the new restriction to traffic on Country Club Drive.

Marion City Administrator Adam Ledford said signage should be going up soon that indicates the new ordinance prohibiting through-commercial traffic on the crumbling street. Signs will be placed on U.S. 60 West at the junction with Country Club Drive and on U.S. 641 at the junction with Industrial Drive, which connects to Country Club Drive.

The city administrator said large digital signs on loan from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will also be placed for a few days to help underscore the change.

Area Death

Charles Gilbert Tabor, 76, of Marion died Wednesday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Absentee voting now underway

Absentee voting is now underway in Crittenden County.

Voters who will be out of the county on election day, May 22, and those due to age, disability or illness who will be unable to go to the polls on election day can come to Crittenden County Clerk Carolyn Byford's office and cast a ballot on the absentee voting machine weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Absentee voting will end at 4 p.m. on May 21.

If unable to go to vote in person due to age, illness, disability or if voter will be out of the county during all days and hours that the machine will be open, the  voter may call and ask for application for a paper ballot. The application will be mailed first, and once Byford's office receives the application, the ballot will be mailed out. The ballot should be returned by mail on or before May 22.

What's news this week in Crittenden County...

It appears Crittenden County taxpayers will be on the hook for an additional $137,500 in order to keep the local ambulance service operating. The money, according to Judge-Executive Perry Newcom, will be found through cuts and a reduction in other subsidies, not new taxes.

For the complete story and the following headlines, pick up a copy of this week's issue of The Crittenden Press:

• Hunt new postmaster at Marion
• Park coming-out party scheduled for Saturday
• Real-life ‘Rosie’ recalls helping win war
• Crittenden population continues decline
• New U.S. 641 opening pushed to mid-November
• Special CCHS SBDM meeting will address dress code
• West Kentucky Youth Camp breaks ground on renovation
• County fair midway already secured for Aug. 2-4
• COMMENTARY: God helped me to quit smoking
• Skipping fertilizer can save time, money this spring
• MPD taking unwanted drugs Saturday
• 2017 county jobless rate reverses trend
• Peers tap Newcom as top JE
• CCES recognized for 2017 energy savings
• Trash, tire amnesty this weekend
• 17 to compete in Special Olympics
• Quilts draw scores to county
• LMI study revisited for Marion grant app
• IN PICTURES: CCHS juniors visit D.C.
• SPORTS: Spring sports roundup
• VAUGHT'S VIEWS: Fans will like energy that commit Hagans will bring to UK

Watson seeks magisterial position

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Job Corps center hiring

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Starnes' contributions cannot be overstated

Angela Starnes was inducted last weekend
into the KHSAA Hall of Fame.

Angela Starnes was inducted into the Dawahares/Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame on Saturday, largely because of her record-setting high school track career at Todd County Central. However, her contributions as a Crittenden County teacher, coach and athletic director cannot be overstated.

For nearly three decades, Starnes has been been a pillar of consistent, strong inspiration for students and student-athletes in Marion. Yet, the impetus of these laurels bestowed last weekend in Lexington were derived from a stellar athletic career of her own.

What many people in Crittenden County have never realized is that Mrs. Coach Starnes – as she affectionately known around Crittenden County Elementary School where she teaches physical education like it’s molecular science – has a storied past.

Starnes – who’s maiden name is Payne – remains in the state records books even today. She won seven state titles as a track athlete at Todd Central during the last 1970s and early 1980s. Her 12.20-second 100-meter Class A state championship in 1980 has never been broken.

As a sophomore in 1978, Starnes won the 440-yard dash and anchored the 4×100 relay team to a first-place finish. She followed that up as a junior in 1979 by winning the first of two consecutive state titles in the 400-meter dash and added another victory in the 4×100 relay. The 1980 state meet saw Starnes win the 200-meter dash in 25.90, repeat as 400-meter champion with a time of 58.30 and set the state record in the 100-meter dash while Todd Central repeated as 1A state runner-ups.

Starnes learned her love for running at an early age and she’s still enjoying it today, competing in 5Ks regularly and marathons from time to time. Starnes credits her mother for finding that talent.

“She put me in everything from tap, piano and flute,” said Starnes with a chuckle. “I blew that flute for months and nothing ever came out. Thank goodness we had just rented it.”

When she found track, Starnes said realized she was good.

“My mom drove me across the county every day to practice. She found my gift and for that I am grateful. Running was a blessing to me and it is to this day.”

Starnes earned a track scholarship to Murray State where she met her future husband, Al Starnes, who has had quite a remarkable career himself as a football coach. Together they have touched the lives of hundreds of students at Crittenden County and beyond.

Mrs. Coach Starnes has coached track and field at Crittenden County for the last 27 years and became the school’s first female athletic director 15 years ago.

Her track and field program has garnered remarkable respect for a small school. She has twice revived cross country as a sport at CCHS and her harriers qualified for the state meet last fall. Her track and field squads have finished runnerup in the First Region twice – in 1997 and 2014. Under her tenure, the school has become a contender in Class A track and field year after ... (for the rest of this article see the April 19, 2018 printed edition of The Crittenden Press or subscribe to the online version and get the article for under $3 http://crittendenpress.blogspot.com/p/subscribe-full-version.html).

Democratic candidates speaking Saturday

Crittenden County Democratic Committee is hosting a political event Saturday in Marion. Party candidates for Congress, the statehouse and local offices are expected to be in attendance. The event is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. William Catholic Church, with candidates speaking beginning at noon. Ribeye sandwiches and dinners can be reserved by calling a member of the local Democratic Committee. Proceeds help fund the Crittenden County Democratic Party Scholarship.

Wildlife officials probe turkeys for answers

Although wildlife biologists believe nothing beyond Mother Nature is challenging the local wild turkey population, they were here recently conducting some scientific due diligence just to be certain.

For 20 hours split uniformly over the first Saturday and Sunday of wild turkey season earlier this month, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) staff were in Salem thoroughly checking carcasses of deceased wild turkeys. Armed with tweezers and an assortment of other instruments, they took blood samples, plucked parasites, aged and closely examined bodies for details that might indicate something awry in the local population.

Wild turkeys were virtually extinct in western Kentucky throughout most of the 1900s. A major restoration projection brought them back during the early 1990s. Soon thereafter, a sustainable flock allowed hunting to begin. In 1994, there were 146 gobblers taken in Crittenden County. The follow season it was up to 178. By the early 2000s there were bountiful harvests. Crittenden County turkey hunters set a record in 2002, taking 544 birds. Livingston was following suit. Hunters were joyous and times were good. As late as 2012, Crittenden gunners were taking lots of turkeys, setting a new modern-day record with 566.

Then, something happened. Numbers started folding. Crittenden County hunters have taken fewer than 400 turkeys for four straight seasons. Livingston County’s harvest has been trending downward, too. In fact, the two counties are among only 17 statewide that are seeing decreased harvests the last few years.

It hasn’t gong unnoticed.

Zak Danks, KDFWR Turkey program coordinator, says surely weather plays a role in the rise and ebb in wildlife numbers. Turkeys are especially susceptible to cold, wet springs which make hatching and rearing young difficult. Tiny chicks will die of exposure if they get wet right after birth or when they’re about quail size and unable to hide under their mother’s protective bodies. Predation, poor reproduction periods and habit loss may also be among the factors neutralizing the turkey flock in the two counties, but Danks believes there’s nothing too sinister going on.
“The biologist in me believes that the population has just come into check with the carrying capacity of the land,” Danks said. “It’s natural stabilization.”

In other words, the turkey population exploded beyond the ability of local habitat to sustain it. There is not enough food or nesting to maintain turkey numbers that outdoorsmen witnessed earlier this century. Mother Nature has its own checks and balances, and when wildlife numbers get too high in any species, there’s a period of adjustment.

If disease has crept into the local flock, biologists will soon know. They asked hunters to donate carcasses during the opening weekend. The birds will be shipped to a laboratory in Atlanta, Ga., where they will be tested for all sorts of issues.

“I just don’t think there is any one reason,” Danks said about the recent decline in bird numbers in Crittenden and Livingston counties. “We may be seeing the new normal. It’s not pleasant for hunters, but honestly, it’s not ..... for the rest of this article see the April 19, 2018 printed edition of The Crittenden Press. 

TODAY: In downtown Marion and beyond

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Area death

Joyce E. Haegelin, 79, of Marion died Thursday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

Local man's role 'Natural' for movie

For Zack Knight, playing in a movie was a unique and uplifting experience, but being part of a film about baseball was … well, very natural.

Zack Knight snaps a
selfie in his dressing room.

Knight, 23, grew up in Marion and now lives in Hopkinsville. He was part of the cast for “The Silent Natural,” a full-length feature movie recently filmed in western Kentucky, which traces the life and legacy of William "Dummy" Hoy.

Hoy was one of the first deaf Major League Baseball players in the 1800s. He is credited for having introduced hand signals for out, safe and strike to the game as he overcame obstacles to become one of the greatest players of his time.

Knight got a role in the film – which was shot in Dawson Springs and Bowling Green among other locations – through a “friend of a friend of his mom’s.”

“I started out just to be an extra,” Knight explained, but through a twist of fate, one of the ball players in a key role ended up being let go by the producer.

“Literally 24 hours before my first day on set, I got a text message saying they were going to give me a role in the baseball scenes. My character was a pitcher and shortstop.”

Knight played four years of high school baseball for the Rockets before graduating from Crittenden County High School in 2013.

“I hadn’t thrown in a long time, but in this scene, I had to throw to the catcher. It was pretty bad at first, but I finally settled down a bit and made it work.”

Knight said some of the baseball scenes are true action shots, but much of the movie will include digital enhancements where the ball can be put into play as the director sees fit.

“It was crazy. I can’t even explain what it was like to be there on the set. For a guy from Crittenden County to wake up one day in a popular movie … it’s just insane.”

Knight’s character goes by the name of Krock. He befriends Hoy and defends the deaf player when others on the ball club start to pick at him.

Hoy is in the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, but the movie’s director David Risotto has told many that he thinks Hoy is owed a place in Cooperstown, the National Hall of Fame. Hoy played for the Washington Nationals, Buffalo Bisons, Louisville Colonels and Cincinnati Reds, among several others in a career lasting from 1888 to 1902.

Several big named stars are cast in the movie. You can read more about Knight and the movie in the April 12 printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Knight is second to the coach's right in

this photo. Barry Livingston portrays the coach.

Livingston was a star in the TV series

My Three Sons in the 1960s.

Call local dealer for HughesNet

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CCHS dress code ensures consistency, student safety

Response from Crittenden County School District to the high school's enforcement today of its dress code:

Today, a Crittenden County High School student chose to go home from school after being asked to comply with the school’s dress code, which states that students may not wear shirts that reference weapons or violence. The shirt in question depicted an American flag created from shell casings with the National Rifle Association written underneath. The student was not suspended, but rather chose to go home instead of changing into another shirt.

CCHS principal Curtis Brown explained that the shirt did not violate the school’s dress code because it depicted the American flag or the National Rifle Association, but rather because the image of the flag was formed with used shell casings. Weapons or violence in any form is not allowed on clothing. An excerpt from the school dress code notes, "Clothing is expected to be free of sexually suggestive remarks or drawings, profanity, racial slurs, violence, or references to tobacco, drugs, alcohol, weapons, and associated items."

The dress code, approved by staff and parent representatives on the school’s Site Based Decision Making council, is communicated to all students and parents at the beginning of the year and is readily accessible on the school’s Web site. Brown added that the school strives to ensure consistency with the policy in handling issues like these.

Retirement event Thursday in Marion

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Fiscal Court meeting moving to city hall

Crittenden County Fiscal Court's regularly monthly meeting will be moved from the courthouse to Marion City Hall on Thursday, April 19.

The move is necessitated by accessibility issues at the courthouse because the chairlift is broken.

What's news this week in Crittenden County...

With a plan to bring hometown values to the local grocery business, Anthony and B.J. Minton say they are excited and proud to be the new owners of Conrad’s Harvest Foods. The name will change shortly, and the new moniker will say it all.

For the full story on the new grocery owners and the following headlines, pick up a copy of this week's issue of The Crittenden Press:

• Starnes’ KHSAA enshrinement Saturday for prep track career
• Irvan named new CCHS principal
• City looking at $46,000 gap for new 2019 budget
• EMS talks closer to finding new operator
• 3 indicted last week
• December jail escapee sentenced to two years
• Friendship quilt’s story quite a yarn
• Comer releases 2017 taxes
• Corn projection low, beans high for ‘18
• County offers free dumping, tire amnesty
• Voter registration deadline Monday
• DEFEW'S VIEWS: Flooding leaves lasting memories
• FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: 1968 ushers in new postal employees, rates
• HOUSE LEGISLATIVE REVIEW: Pension bill does not reduce benefits
• SENATE LEGISLATIVE REVIEW: Budget, tax reform not good for Kentuckians
• County highway garage funds approved
• SPORTS: Spring sports roundup
• OUTDOORS: Wildlife biologists probe local turkeys for answers
• K12 Blue Knights defend Cup;
• Swinford, Smith named MVPs

Area Death

Robert L. Holloman, 81, of Marion died Monday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ferry has begun operating again

The Cave In Rock Ferry, idled for more than a week due to high water on the Ohio River, is now re-open for traffic.

Ferry to re-open Tuesday morning

The Cave In Rock Ferry will re-open Tuesday after being closed for two weeks.

The Cave In Rock Ferry plans to reopen on the normal schedule starting at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

The ferry has been closed since about noon on April 5 when floodwaters covered Ky. 91 North near the 11 mile marker on the approach to the Kentucky landing.

The ferry was also closed for about 30 days during February and March due to floodwaters.

The Cave In Rock Ferry connects Ky. 91 North with Illinois Route 1 across the Ohio River between Crittenden County and Hardin County, Ill.

The ferry normally operates from 6 a.m. to 9:50 p.m. seven days a week. The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day.

The Cave In Rock Ferry is at Ohio River navigation mile point 881.0.

The Cave In Rock Ferry is operated by an independent contractor with joint funding from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Illinois Department of Transportation through a ferry authority.

For more information on the Cave In Rock Ferry got to Facebook.com/CIRFerry.

Area deaths

Sharon Rogers Owen, 54, of Marion died Saturday. Boyd Funeral is in charge of arrangements.

Sandra Kay Jacobs, 65, of Marion died Thursday. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Stinnett hosts customer appreciation day

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Conrad's under new ownership

Anthony and B.J. Minton of Marion have purchased Conrad's Harvest Foods and they began managing the grocery store on Friday. Their two teenage daughters will be part of the operation.

The couple has already begun to restock the store's shelves after the previous store owner reduced inventories in order to facilitate last week's transfer of ownership.

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for further details. You can purchase the newspaper at Conrad's and other local grocers and convince stores in Marion and Salem each Wednesday afternoon.

Sunday is Rev. Jones's last at Marion Baptist

Rev. Mike Jones

Marion Baptist Church pastor Dr. Mike Jones had felt a tug a time or two before, but until recently, he’d never been led to leave the church where he’s ministered for the past 11 years.

This Sunday will be Jones's last at Marion Baptist. He informed his congregation late last month that he's being led to pastor at a church in Owensboro.

Jones, 54, came to Marion’s largest Baptist church in 2007. His tenure at Marion Baptist has seen a number of changes as churches in rural America have struggled to attract and retain regulars. To combat the nation’s declining number of churchgoers, Jones said his ministry at Marion has been involved in outreach and growth through new and innovative measures.

A contemporary, earlier worship service on Sundays, Faith in Action community outreach and a Big Buck Expo and CenterShot Archery program tailored toward outdoorsy types have been among the pastor’s signature programs over the past decade.

“We have been truly blessed here,” said Jones, whose wife Annette, works as a teller at Famers Bank & Trust Co.

They raised their son while living in Marion and their daughter found a husband here. It’s been a nice home and nice place to raise children, Jones explained. His son Brennen graduated from Crittenden County High School last spring and is now a freshman at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. His daughter, Kaitlyn, married Jason Dunbar, who was the church’s minister of music and youth. They recently left for a church near Bowling Green.

“We have tried to invest in the community,” Jones said about his time in Marion.

He has served as a chaplain at the hospital, on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors, on the Interagency Council and Ministerial Association.

Marion Baptist has 617 members on its rolls, making it the town’s largest Baptist congregation and perhaps the largest church in the entire community. Jones will become pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church on the east side of Owensboro. It is a larger church than Marion Baptist. For the rest of this article, see the March 29, 2018 issue of The Crittenden Press printed edition. 

New high school principal named

Irvan

A new principal has been named at the high school to take over after Curtis Brown steps aside at the end of the school year. Amanda Irvan, currently the assistant principal at Crittenden County High School, will take the reigns heading into the 2018-19 academic year. She was hired last summer as assistant principal behind Brown, who will be leaving after four years at the helm.

Arts Foundation shows Broadway double feature

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Weaver reception Thursday

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Jones reception at Marion Baptist Sunday

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Victory Gardens get a stay, will be back in production

The lake at the garden site is a popular
place for people to fish.

An agreement between the City of Marion and Victory Gardens Inc. late last month will keep the community garden plots open through at least the 2019 growning season.

Inmate works crews have already reset the fencing around the Victory Garden facility, which is next to Marion-Crittenden County Park on Old Morganfield Road.

Until a meeting in late March between Mayor Jared Byford and Robbie Kirk, county jailer and head of the non-profit group that oversees the Gardens, it looked as if the venture was over. The city had designs on selling in late 2018 its 42-plus acres that serve as home to the Gardens. With the future beyond 2018 bleak for continuing the gardens on the lands it had already developed, Victory Gardens Inc. voted to spend no more money and to forego the growing season.

But an informal meeting between both sides led to the discovery of a lease agreement originating in December 2014 that offered use of the city’s land to Victory Gardens Inc.  through Dec. 16, 2019. The lease is for $1 annually, and “may be extended if deemed so desirable by the City of Marion.”

Byford said the city has every intention of honoring the lease now that it has been discovered. Until that meeting in late March, there had been no mention of the document.

The lease preceded Byford’s appointment as mayor, Kirk’s term as jailer and Adam Ledford’s hire as Marion City Administrator.

The city may ultimately choose to sell the lands off Old Morganfield Road that include a pond, but that would give Victory Gardens Inc. almost two full years, at least, to find a solution.

“We will maintain the garden there for the next two years, and the city and the non-profit will work out a lease agreement for any years past that,” Kirk told The Crittenden Press.

But work on this year’s Gardens is already behind schedule. The uncertainty of the land’s ownership and decision by the non-profit to halt operations has left equipment unserviced and land unfertilized and prepped for planting. Crews have begun trying to catch up.

Starting a bit late, though, should not prevent the 27 plots of vegetables like corn, cucumbers and squash as well as tomatoes from being ready in time for distribution, which typically begins in June. Also on the land are fruit trees and blackberry vines that should be fruiting before the current lease ends.

This article first appeared in the March 29, 2018 issue of The Crittenden Press printed edition

Area death

Edna Grace (Sholar) Loveless, 95, of Marion, died Tuesday. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

What's news this week in Crittenden County...

For Zack Knight, playing in a movie was a unique and uplifting experience, but being part of a film about baseball was … well, very natural. Knight, 23, grew up in Marion and now lives in Hopkinsville. He was part of the cast for “The Silent Natural,” a full-length feature movie recently filmed in western Kentucky

For the full story and the following headlines, pick up a copy of this week's issue of The Crittenden Press:

• Rocket symbol of CCHS,  U.S. defense
• Ferry remains closed due to high water
• CAF offers Broadway movie double feature on Fohs Hall
• Clark wants teachers in classroom Friday
• Warning sirens sound 1st Friday
• Chamber seeking award nominations
• LHHS offers discount medicine aid
• Voter registration deadline for primary near
• SUPER NEWS: Red shows support for Ky. educators
• Fair board receives $100,000 gift
• SPORTS: Spring sports roundup
• OUTDOORS: KDFWR in Salem to talk turkey this weekend
• OUTDOORS: Misery strikes youth hunters
• VAUGHT: Could UK signee Herro be best scorer of new recruits?
• FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: The Airdome: Marion’s open-top theater
• February jobless rate down from January
• Conservation District distributes awards for posters, writing

Health Department offers variety of services

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Area death

David Orlan Fritts, 95, of Corydon, formerly of Marion, died Friday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Perryman sets new triple jump record

Crittenden County High School junior Kenlee Perryman set a new school record in the triple jump on March 27 at the Murray All-Comers Track and Field Meet.

Her leap of 31 feet, 6 inches eclipsed the previous record by more than a foot.

The previous record was held for almost 20 years by Lydia Roberts at 30-feet-5½.

See complete results of local high school track and field meets each week in the printed edition of The Crittenden Press, which is on sale now at newsstands, convenience centers and groceries in and around Marion. 

Small-school tournaments next week

ALL A CLASSIC TOURNAMENTS

BASEBALL 
MONDAY’S OPENERS

Crittenden at Caldwell

Lyon at Livingston

UHA at Ft. Campbell

Dawson Springs, bye

TUESDAY’S SEMIFINALS

at University Heights

Cald-Critt vs Liv.-Lyon, 5:30

FtC-UHA vs Dawson, 7:30

THURSDAY

Championship, 6:00

SOFTBALL

MONDAY’S OPENERS

Caldwell at Livingston

Lyon at Crittenden

UHA at Dawson Springs

Ft. Campbell, bye

TUESDAY’S SEMIFINALS

at Lyon County

Liv.-Cald. vs Critt.-Lyon

Dawson-UHA vs Ft. Campbell

THURSDAY

Championship 6:00

Snow kidding! Frozen precipitation expected

The NWS is indicating only about 1 inch accumulation of snow during the overnight hours, mainly along Kentucky’s Ohio River border counties. KyTC crews will be prepared to treat bridges and overpasses, if needed.  Crews will have a couple of trucks prepared to load and roll out on short notice.

Ample sunshine the last few days has pavement temps up in the 60-plus range.  That means most snow that falls will likely melt when hit hits the pavement.  However, if some heavy snow squalls develop we may get some areas of slush on driving surfaces, particularly on bridges and overpasses.  If you encounter slick spots please report them to your local 911 call center.

Please use caution if you are out tonight.  Temps are expected around 29 degrees in the early morning hours on Saturday.  However, they are expected to warm to about 40 degrees by mid-day.

Here is more of that the Weather Service guys had to say....

"Rain will develop later today, and transition gradually to light snow tonight. Minor accumulations of snow will be possible tonight. Snowfall amounts should generally be 1 inch or less."

WMJL under new ownership, rebranded

The local radio airwaves are now directed by a new company.

Stratemeyer Media of Paducah has purchased Magic 102.7 WMJL FM radio in Marion and rebranded it as River Country 102.7, changing the format from oldies to county songs.

Jason Crockett, spokesman for Statemeyer Media, said the new ownership will locally oriented and involved in the community.

Crockett is also an on-air personality with “The Brew Crew with Reed & JC” morning show on Rock 98.3 WJLI in Paducah.

“I’d like to put everyone’s mind at ease; there will inevitably be changes, even if inadvertent, but we intend to be excellent community partners,” he said. “Although we are from up the road a piece, we intend to be a good neighbor. If anyone has ideas of ways for us to improve, we welcome those.”

Counting WMJL, Statemeyer has nine radio stations with WJLI as its flagship station. The company is headquartered at Kentucky Oaks Mall and owns other stations in Poplar Bluff, Mo., Cairo, Ill., and Mount Vernon, Ill.

 The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, approved the transfer of WMJL’s radio frequencies last month.

Stratemeyer Media is owned by Samuel Stratemyer of Metropolis, Ill. Crockett said Stratemeyer’s holdings are diverse and one of his primary businesses is farming in southern Illinois. He has also run unsuccessfully for state office a couple of times in southern Illinois on the Republican ticket.

Ultimately, Crockett said, the radio station in Marion belongs to the people of the community and serving them will be the company’s goal moving forward.

“We intend to be heavily focused on Rockets athletics and what’s going on in the community. We want to super serve the community,” he said.

Joe and Barbara Myers, who have owned the radio station since 1994, will concentrate on their other local business – Myers Funeral Home.

“We truly appreciate the many listeners who have tuned in over the years, whether in their homes, cars or at sporting events,” said Barbara Myers, who has been the station manager. “It has been a pleasure serving our community and our loyal advertisers have made this possible. Change is inevitable and as we turn over the keys to WMJL, we are confident that new technology and innovative ideas will continue to make radio a valuable resource. We will be listening!”

Crockett said the current staff at WMJL will be retained and there will likely be a new person or two join the local station. He will serve as station manager for the time being.

The radio station was started here in 1968.

Cave In Rock Ferry will close today

The river was high and swift when this photo was
taken on Wednesday of this week.

The Cave In Rock Ferry is expected to close this afternoon due to rising floodwaters on the Ohio River.

Ferry operator Lonnie Lewis said that based on forecasted river stages, service will likely end around noon today.

The ferry is generally is forced to halt service when the Ohio River reaches about 41.5 ft at Shawneetown. This morning the river was at 40.94 there.

What's news this week in Crittenden County...

When Denny Woodall closed his used automobile dealership on the south side of Marion a few weeks ago, it left just one thread in the city’s retail car business. In the lifetimes of most middle-aged people in the community, there have been a number of new and used vehicle retailers. At one time or another, there were four new car dealerships where one could purchase a Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler or Oldsmobile. The last to leave was Chrysler, almost 30 years ago.

For the full story and the following headlines, pick up a copy of this week's issue of The Crittenden Press:

• State of the hospital fair
• Interactive mural to be installed at park
• WMJL rebranded as River County 102.7
• Milling keeps new U.S. 641 on target for July 1 opening
• Budget, pension, tax bills impact county
• HOUSE REVIEW: Tax changes step toward usage levy
• SENATE REVIEW: Democrats, public shut out of key debate
• Budget issues could force ag cuts at CCHS
• RELIGION: Catholic group donates ultrasound to area faith-based pregnancy clinic
• RELIGION: “I Can Only Imagine” sets record at Capitol Cinemas
• OUTDOORS: Hunting changes proposed to thin deer herd
• SPORTS: Youth sports rosters
• SPORTS: Spring sports results
• VAUGHT: Brown impressive in workout for NFL scouts
• FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: Visits on horseback assess rural schools

Get ready for summer at Full Body Fitness

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Courthouse open for storm shelter

In the event of hazardous weather, the Crittendon County Courthouse is open as a storm shelter.

Orr 50th celebration Sunday

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Former Rocket football coach dies

Former Crittenden County football coach Walter D. “Dickie” McDonald, 74, died Tuesday, March 27 at his home in Henderson.

He was a teacher and football coach for several schools and teams in western Kentucky, including Henderson County, Crittenden County, Union County, Owensboro Apollo and McLean County.

McDonald served as the Rockets football coach from 1970 to 1973. Services were last weekend in Henderson.

Biologists seek Turkey Check Up

Officials from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will be in the area during the opening weekend of wild turkey season to conduct an examination of harvested turkeys.

Based on data accumlated over the last few years, Crittenden County’s turkey population is among a small section of Kentucky’s overall turkey flock that is declining.

Curious as to why Crittenden and Livingston counties are seeing a drop in turkey numbers, biologists want to do a check-up on the birds being taken here.

Zak Danks

Anyone who successfully harvests a turkey can take it to Tambco Convenience Center in Salem on opening weekend of turkey season.

Zak Danks, KDFWR Turkey Program Coordinator, plans to be there both days, April 14-15.

Milling start Monday at new U.S. 641 intersections

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans milling on existing county roads where they intersect with the New U.S. 641 in southern Crittenden County starting Monday.

This milling of pavement where existing roadways cross New U.S. 641 in Crittenden County is to prepare for a round of finish paving that will apply the final driving surface along two lanes of the 6-mile section of new highway.

The contractor will mill connecting points to provide a smooth transition from existing pavement to the final driving surface of the new roadway.  Motorists who regularly travel county roads that cross the New U.S. 641 corridor should be alert for milling equipment on Monday and possibly Tuesday.

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

Motorists have been traveling on base courses of pavement through these crossing points.

Once the milling is completed and as weather allows, the contractor expects to move ahead with finish paving of two lanes along the 6 miles of New U.S. 641 between Marion and Fredonia.

Additionally, utility crews have been clearing fiber optic cables, gas lines, electric lines, and other utilities near the connecting points where the new U.S. 641 will meet existing U.S. 641.  Completion of that utility work will allow the contractor to move ahead with completion of those connecting points in coming months.