Reward offered for park damage

Crittenden County TipLine is offering a reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons who painted foul language and other images on the wooden bridge on the walking trail at Marion-Crittenden County Park.

The graffiti was scrawled in white paint and was applied sometime between 8 p.m., Monday and 7 a.m., Tuesday.

Marion Police Department is investigating the matter. Anyone with information can call (270) 965-3500 and remain anonymous.

Fair queen crowned Monday night

The Crittenden County Lions Club Fair kicks into the full gear this week at the fairgrounds.

On Monday night at historic Fohs Hall, Jenna Potter was crowned Miss Crittenden County.

See details of all of the fair pageants in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press. Get one at newsstands Wednesday or subscribe right now to the full version online.

Big news week in Crittenden County

A couple of area businesses are either closed or closing, the fairgrounds is bustling, a new Miss Crittenden County will be crowned tonight, there's a big country music festival in the county this weekend and a temporary road allowing for the completion of US 641 is now open south of town.

Additionally, it's time for the newspaper's Back to School Special Section. It will be available in the printed edition on Wednesday.

Stay tuned... there's so much going on right now and we're doing out best to keep your informed.

Hodges joins Burkhart Clinic

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Cross country team/parent meeting

Crittenden County High School's cross country season opens in 4 weeks. There is an informational meeting for runners and their parents at 6:30 p.m., Monday at the track at Marion-Crittenden County Park. New coach, Sandra Martinez, will be there to discuss the upcoming season.

Area Death

Marion businessman Col. (ret.) Richard Small, 83, died Thursday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was owner of Ohio River Concrete in Marion.

Auction Saturday at Lafayette Heights

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Junior Pro Football Registration

Registration for Junior Pro Football is Tuesday, July 31. See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press newspaper for details.

Newspapers are available at convince stores, groceries, pharmacies and the office on Bellville Street. Click here if you would like to subscribe.

Ky. 654 South now open

Ky. 654 South is now open after the completion of road work.

Digital Bookmobile arrives Monday

For more, visit DigitalBookmobile.com

Asian carp meeting Friday in Eddyville

Congressman James Comer will hold a public Oversight and Government Reform Committee Field Briefing in Lyon County at 2pm Friday at the Lyon County Convention Center at Lee Jones Park in Eddyville.

The hearing will address the growing problem of Asian carp in Kentucky’s waters and examine the federal response to this invasive species. This public event will feature testimony from witnesses representing the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, local fishing and tourism industries, and federal agencies involved in Asian carp programs and initiatives.

Those who will be making presentations  
-Allan Brown, Assistant Regional Director of Fish and Aquatic Conservation for Region 4, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

-Mark Gaikowski, Director of the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, U.S. Geological Survey

-Ron Brooks, Fisheries Director, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

-Randy Newcomb, Executive Director, Kentucky Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

-Bobby Wilson, Deputy Executive Director, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

“This event is an opportunity to draw attention to the crisis and consider ways to improve coordination between the federal government, states, and local entities on this important issue. I am committed to working with my constituents and communities in the First District to promote solutions that will protect and restore our rivers, lakes and reservoirs,” said Congressman James Comer.

Rheumatologist now serving CHS

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U.S. 641 diversion delayed...again

UPDATE, 1:15 PM: The opening of the diversion for U.S. 641 construction, just this morning pushed to Friday, has now been postponed until Monday.

ORIGINAL POST, 10:30 AM: The U.S. 641 diversion road that was slated to open today or Thursday has now been pushed to Friday. A story in this week's edition of The Crittenden Press reports it was scheduled to open by Thursday based on the latest information at press time. However, an update from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at 9:50 a.m. this morning noted that the projection had changed. The update came well after this week's edition had been printed.

The diversion road will act as a bypass to the work on the relocated U.S. 641 to tie it in with the existing roadway.

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

Finding the proper fit for the position is proving more elusive than he first imagined, but Crittenden County Superintendent of Schools Vince Clark believes hiring a security officer for the school district will require patience. “It needs to be the right person, the type of person the kids trust,” he said of the school district’s intent to hire a school resource officer (SRO) to improve safety for students and staff.

For more on this important story and the following headlines, pick up this week's issue of The Crittenden Press:

• Collins resigns board of education seat
• Longtime CCMS teacher transitions to principal
• Director brings zeal to economic development
• Diversion to bypass U.S. 641 work opens
• Roads weigh heavy at fiscal court meeting
• Conservation District struggling with funds
• Par 4 Plastics launches new brand identity
• CEO of health group in Marion to discuss reducing cancer risk
• Dual credit opportunities now at MCC campus
• History quilted in church keepsake
• SPORTS: Greenwell grooving swing for state run
• SPORTS: Pre-season competition kicks off 2018 football
• SPORTS: UK football schedule
• VAUGHT'S VIEWS: UK tops in SEC in returning gridiron defense
• FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: Restaurants gone but not forgotten

Just for Seniors

• Despite improvements, Ky. near bottom in senior health
• AG warns of new Medicare card scams
• Myriad services aim to offer seniors help
• Baby Boomers drive up U.S. age; Midwest grows younger in last 7 years
• USDA food program helping local at-risk seniors
• Social Security loses 3rd of value since 2000

Job Corps has openings

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Umpires, Coaches win friendly league tournament

Coaches and Umpires from the Lakes Area Baseball and Softball League – which sponsors youth baseball and softball in four counties – got together last weekend for a friendly softball tournament.

The annual affair was held at Princeton and Fredonia and Crittenden County Dugout Club's team won the tournament.

Caldwell, Lyon and Trigg counties also participated in the tournament.

Area Deaths

Longtime Marion businessman Richard Cruce, 82, died Sunday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

George E. Barnes, 86, of Burna died Sunday. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Stanley “Steamer” Ross Long, 56, of Marion died Friday. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Bonnie Ruth Ballard, 74, of Paducah died Thursday. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

New priest shepherding Marion parish

To view the new priest at St. William Catholic Church as an unlikely story is to overlook the reach of Catholicism around the world.

Father John Okoro, a native of the West African nation of Nigeria, has roots in the Catholic faith that run deeper than most. His flock will include parishioners in Marion and  two parishes in Union County – St. Francis Borgia in Sturgis and St. Ambrose in Henshaw. Now 52, he was born into a Catholic family and raised in the church at a time when Nigeria was a predominantly Muslim nation.

Okoro was appointed by Bishop William Medley of the Owensboro Diocese to replace Father Ryan Harpole. Harpole, who had spent the last four years serving the same three parishes, was reassigned to St. Joseph Parish in Bowling Green. Both men began their new roles June 12.

Okoro entered the priesthood at age 29. He had no specific plans to reach the United States, but 10 years later as an international priest, he accepted reassignment to the Owensboro Diocese, bringing him to a foreign... see the rest of this article in the July 19, 2018 printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

 

Basketball camp July 24-26

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Auction Saturday

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Turley new CCMS principal

Turley

Kara Turley has been named the new principal at Crittenden County Middle School. She is a Crittenden County native and had been teaching language arts at the middle school for several years. The SBDM met last night to interview candidates, and the decision was announced this afternoon. She replaces Tom Radivonyk, who left the role after two years to take the top job at Lyon County High School.

County attorney hosts giveaway

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Area deaths

Carol “CR” Herrin, 87, of Marion died Tuesday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Rayford Burklow, 66, of Panama City Beach, Fla., formerly of Marion, died Saturday, July 7. Graveside services will be at 7 p.m., Aug. 11 at Tandy Cemetery in Caldwell County.

Chiropractic care in Marion

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

Ridding the city of a persistent summertime pest would most effectively and efficiently be left to residents themselves, suggests Marion City Administrator Adam Ledford. At Monday’s meeting of Marion City Council, Councilwoman D’Anna Browning asked about spraying to eliminate mosquitoes, something the city used to do on its own but has since given up.

For the full story, the following headlines and the 2018 county fair guide, pick up a copy of this week's issue of The Crittenden Press:

• Friday traffic fatality 1st of year in county
• Man pleads guilty to high-speed chase
• 4 indicted on various charges, including disarming officer
• Tolu memories stitched in quilt
• Par 4 hosting national plastics meeting
• Crittenden research assisting farmers
• Texas company buys Freedom Waste
• Nigeria native is new priest at St. William
• U.S. 641 diversion nearing
• Audit of Ky. courts administration finds concerns
• Vintage, collectibles focus of new car lot
• SPORTS: Football camp grows with MS players; Crittenden semifinalist at 7-on-7 event
• SPORTS: Three earn top gymnastics honors
• OUTDOORS: Feds may up spending to battle invasive fish
• VAUGHT'S VIEWS: Hall: Founder of Cats’ Pause belongs in HOF
• Food costs decrease slightly since 2016 survey results
• FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: Local newspaper fabric of community

Inside this week's issue is the 2018 Fair Guide
Click to enlarge for schedule of events

SBDM ready to make CCMS principal hire

It appears as though Crittenden County Middle School SBDM is prepared to make a decision on a new principal. The council is scheduled to meet at 4:30 Wednesday to offer the position to one of three candidates. The public meeting will be in the Rocket Arena Conference Room.

The position was left vacant when two-year principal Tom Radivonyk resigned recently to take the Lyon County High School principal slot.

Police investigating hit and run

Marion Police are looking for what appears on video footage to be a gold Ford Taurus that hit a parked car beside of Farmers Bank and Trust Co., in Marion at about 10:30 p.m., Monday. 

Police Chief Ray O’Neal said a bank patron had parked along Main Street in front of the bank while making a drip at the night depository. A car traveling south on Main Street struck the parked car and kept going.

Anyone with information can call (270) 965-3500 and remain anonymous. 

Area Death

Diana Jual Byford, 65, of Marion died Monday. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Area deaths

Jeanetta Gail Newcomb, 79, of Grand Rivers died Thursday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Dollie Lee Tinsley, 68, of Marion died Friday. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

SBDM to review CCMS principal candidates Monday

Crittenden County Middle School SBDM will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the Rocket Arena conference room to review principal applicants and approve interview questions. A portion of the meeting will be closed to the public in order to review the candidates' applications. Last Friday, Tom Radivonyk accepted a job as principal at Lyon County High School after serving two years as the head of CCMS.

Injury accident near Tolu

UPDATE: This was a fatal crash, the first fatal traffic accident in the county during 2018. The victim has been identified as Dollie Tinsley, 68, of Tolu.
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First responders are working an accident at the intersection of Ky. 297 and Ky. 723, commonly known as the Tolu Y.

Early indication is that this is a single-vehicle, injury accident, which happened shortly before 12:30pm.

No driver testing today

There will be no drivers’ license testing today at Crittenden County Courthouse. This includes no on-road or written tests.

Kentucky Turkey Survey for Hunters

For those interested in helping researchers estimate the size of Kentucky’s turkey flock, now there’s an app for that. Zak Danks, ruffed grouse and wildlife turkey program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, said the department has added a smart phone app and a web-based survey to make it easier for people to report turkeys and poults spotted in the summer.

“Since 1984, this survey has provided data on turkey productivity and survival in Kentucky,” Danks said. “Traditionally, we’ve asked people to fill out surveys then mail them in. Adding apps and the web-based survey makes it faster and more convenient for people to help out with this important research.”

Danks encourages hunters, wildlife watchers and anyone who spends time traveling the state to participate in the survey. The department gathers survey information in July and August.

Survey results help researchers determine if weather conditions in the spring have affected the number of young turkeys surviving into the summer. For those wishing to participate in the turkey survey, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov. Click the “seasons” tab, then use the pull-down menu for “hunt” on the top left corner of the page. Select “game species” followed by “spring turkey” for a print and mail survey form. Or just CLICK HERE.

Ky. 1917/Wolf Creek Road reopened

Culvert replacement work on Ky. 1917/Wolf Creek Road in Crittenden County is now complete and the roadway has reopened.

Area deaths

Ruby Crowell, 73, of Marion died Tuesday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Martha Lavina Beauvallier, 89, of Salem died Tuesday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Crayne assault reported Friday evening

TIME CORRECTION ON REPORT 7:30pm

Kentucky State Police are investigating a reported burglary and assault that is alleged to have occurred in Crayne Friday evening.

Detectives are currently working on the case that involved an elderly woman who flagged down a motorist on U.S. 641 south of Crayne and told the man she’d been assaulted inside her home. The motorist called police and stayed with the alleged victim until authorities arrived.
The report was made at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The victim is not being identified, but is said to be over 70 years old. When the motorist made contact with the woman, she had visible abrasions and cuts on her arms and blood on her shirt.

Rob Austin, spokesman for the Kentucky State Police Post 2, said detectives are investigating and that “all angles are being looked at.” He said there are currently no suspects in the case.

Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, Austin said state police are not releasing further details at this time.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to call state police at 1-800-222-5555.

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

Taxpayers are now forking out about a quarter of what they once paid to keep Crittenden County Detention Center open, freeing up hundreds of thousands in tax revenue to benefit everyone living outside the walls of the jail. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, Jailer Robbie Kirk needed only $317,000 transferred from the county’s general fund to balance the lockup’s 2017-18 budget.

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

• State police investigating Crayne burglary, assault
• Unrest in Haiti delays return for church youth
• Duncan 2nd ordained minister on MPD force
• Finances improve, hope pervasive with CCEDC
• McDaniel files for school board
• MY 2¢ WORTH: Neighbors being ‘neighborly’ for 4th
• Former librarian pens second Christian novel
• Child marriage limits among new Ky. laws taking effect
• CCMS looking for new principal
• Experiment drifts down on Tolu from St. Louis
• Hurley joins county’s 911 dispatching staff
• No relief in sight from heat index values reaching 100
• PSC stepping up state’s call-before-you-dig law
• SPORTS: Local golfers headline summer sporting competition
• FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: Search for gold, silver, oil recurring local story
• eBooks, audio on display by Digital Bookmobile

Rheumatologist joins CHS

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No foul play suspect in deaths

Foul play is not suspected in the deaths of a husband and wife found at their Livingston County home Tuesday afternoon.

Kentucky State Police say preliminary results of autopsies performed today on Terry Burnette, 57, and Deborah Burnette, 56, indicate that Deborah Burnette died from a brain aneurysm and Terry Burnette died from a weak heart, which was a result of chronic medical issues.

The Burnettes were found dead at their home on US 60 East in Burna shortly after 4pm yesterday. Terry Burnette was found in the front yard, and Deborah Burnette was found in her bedroom.

Blackberries available this weekend

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Area death

Nancy Lucille Rinard, 68, of Marion died Friday. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CCMS SBDM emergency meeting

Crittenden County Middle School's Site-Based, Decision-Making Council will meet in emergency session at 2pm Tuesday in the Rocket Arena Conference to begin its principal-selection training and to set a schedule for interviewing prospective candidates.

CCMS is looking for a new principal after Tom Radivonyk resigned last week to accept the position of Lyon County High School principal.

PDHD offers WIC

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Area death

Livingston County animal control officer Ricky E. Jepsen, 60, of Salem died Friday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Butter Road auction Saturday

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KET call-in show discusses new sales tax law

The Kentucky Department of Revenue (DOR) is partnering with KET to present Kentucky Tax Law Changes: What You Need to Know, a live call-in program addressing changes to Kentucky’s tax law. The show will air Monday at 7 p.m. local time

The 2018 Kentucky legislation expanded the types of services now subject to sales tax and amended certain excise taxes. The live call-in show, hosted by KET’s Renee Shaw, will feature a panel of DOR experts that will help taxpayers better understand the changes associated with the new law.

The program also will stream on Facebook Live at facebook.com/KET, where viewers can post questions.

For more information on the tax changes, go to taxanswers.ky.gov, a DOR website dedicated to this issue.

“Our goal is to assist every taxpayer in becoming and remaining compliant," said DOR Commissioner Daniel P. Bork. "This show is a great resource to share information with the people of the Commonwealth. We appreciate KET’s willingness to collaborate with us on this program. We hope anyone with questions about the new law will tune in.”

Injury accident on Ky. 297

First responders are working an injury accident at the intersection of Ky. 297 and Ky. 2123 (Glendale Church Road).

Initial reports indicted a two-vehicle crash and that passengers were out of their vehicles, but complaining of injuries.

The road was blocked by the accident.

The wreck happened shortly before 1pm.

Ky. 1917 shut cut off for culvert work

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) plans to close a section of Ky. 1917 in Crittenden County starting Monday.

Ky. 1917 will be closed around mile-points 0.3 and 0.4 to allow two culverts to be replaced. This is in the Shady Grove area between where Ky. 1917 meets Wolf Creek Road and the end of state maintenance at Providence Road.

Each of the old culverts that carry branches of Wolf Creek under the roadway will be dug out and replaced with a 10-foot wide by 6-foot tall steel culvert. This will require the roadway to remain closed around the clock all week in this area.

Ky. 1917 is expected to close at this site at approximately 7 a.m. Monday and remain closed until sometime on Friday afternoon.

There will be no marked detour. This work is scheduled on a weather permitting basis.

MCC registration Monday

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On newsstands today!

Because of the 4th of July holiday, The Crittenden Press will be closed tomorrow. But the newspaper is already available on stands today. Pick a copy this week and read the stories behind the following headlines and more:

• Dangerous summer swelter continues to bake county, state, most of country
• Cave In Rock Ferry running 6-6, 7 days
• Medicaid cut to 860 in county
• Rare daytime burglary investigated
• Teaching lured Brown from journalism
• Cemetery association copes with Fox’s death
• Ky. soybean planted acreage at all-time high
• Ky. 1917 closed next week for culvert replacement
• MY 2¢ WORTH: 20 hours a week cruel?
• EDITORIAL: Pen remains mightier than sword (or gun)
• OPINION: 4th of July: A reflection on progress
• OPINION: All lives should matter equally
• FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: Extreme weather hit county in 1940
• SPORTS: Football dead for now; quite lively next week
• SPORTS: Adams Pro Tour golfer bringing game to Marion

Area death

Thomas Newton King, 60, of Smithland died Saturday at Crittenden Hospital. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.