Fall No Burning Season starts Monday

The Kentucky Division of Forestry has issued its fall No Burning Order.

State law restricts open burning within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the fall wildfire hazard season, which run from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15.

By restricting burning until after 6 p.m., winds are typically lower and humidity higher, making outdoor fires more manageable and less likely to become wildfires.

Anyone considering doing outdoor burning should read the Kentucky Division for Air Quality’s web page on open burning here, or call the Division for Air Quality at (502) 782-6592 to learn about other specific regulations before burning

Senior Center facing new funding cuts

Crittenden County Senior Center and affiliated programs will be hit hard by state belt tightening at the end of this year. It will be the second big funding cut the programs have faced this year.

Seniors gather at the center for food, fellowship and many other activities such as billiards.

Read more about it in the Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 issue of The Crittenden Press.

Subscribe today to never miss important news like this. Get the printed edition or read the entire paper online with a subscription to The Press, starting at just $2.95.

First United Bank Open House

Ferry funding is officially approved

The new funding agreement is now official between Kentucky, Illinois and the Ohio River Authority to restore the Cave In Rock Ferry to a 16-hour service and avoid a possible shutdown. 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet made the official announcement this afternoon. The Crittenden Press Online reported Wednesday that a verbal agreement had been reached. The pact has now been signed by all parties. 

On Monday, the ferry will be back to a 16-hour operating schedule, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. 

A $2.15 million funding commitment between the Kentucky and Illinois will assure that the ferry operates on this schedule through June 30, 2020.

“This collaborative effort between the states and the Crittenden Fiscal Court fully restores a vital transportation link to travelers in the area and follows through on our commitment to present a solution based on funding assessments,” said KYTC Secretary Greg Thomas.

Flu Clinic Monday

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Week 6: Rocket PreGame and Coach's Show

Harris seeks Board of Ed position

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Ferry funding approved, back to 16 hours

Copyright 2018 - The Crittenden Press

The Cave In Rock Ferry could be back to full service starting Monday. That means running from 6am to 10pm daily.

A Wednesday afternoon conference call between Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials, ferry operators and local officials netted positive results for those holding their breath with regard to a temporary ferry contract that was set to expire on Sunday.

The ferry is expected to be back to operating 16 hours a day, 365 days a year starting next week, according to Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom. Although a final contract has not been signed, language has been agreed upon by the principal parties.

In this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, there are more details about negotiations that led up to Wednesday's tentative agreement. At press time for the printed newspaper on Tuesday evening, it was still unclear whether the ferry would continue operating after Sunday when a 90-day pact signed in July was to expire.

Newcom said it's great news for western Kentucky and southern Illinois.

The ferry had been operating for only 12 hours a day – 6am to 6pm – during the temporary contract period. Financial issues had been responsible for creating a situation that almost led to a shutdown of the ferry three months ago. The short-term agreement was initiated in order to allow the service to continue while Kentucky and Illinois negotiated another long-term deal.

If the new deal is confirmed, it promises to pay the ferry owner about $1.2 million annually.

There’s only one source of comprehensive news and sports coverage in Marion and Crittenden County. Never miss out on what’s going on in your community. We have our ear to the rail and always keep you posted on what’s happening. Subscribe today to ensure that real news reporting continues in your community. Get the printed edition or read the entire paper online with a subscription to The Press, starting at just $2.95.

Copyright 2018

The Crittenden Press

Read it now, or hear it later

What's News this Week in Crittenden County?

There's lots going on in Marion and Crittenden County this week and your one-stop spot for all of the local news is The Crittenden Press newspaper.

This week we have the latest on the Cave In Rock Ferry and whether or not it will shut down on Sunday when a temporary contract with Kentucky and Illinois expires.

Senior services in the community will see major changes because of budget issues. See what's in store for the Crittenden County Senior Center and Meals on Wheels Program in this week's printed edition.

Hospital officials are cautioning local government about delaying a decision on an offer by an outside firm to buy Crittenden Health Systems. See what's brewing on the local hospital front. It's our lead story this week.

Also on the front page of The Press is an announcement about the grand opening of a New Bank in Marion. 

Get the scoop on these stories plus much more, including sports, weddings, farm news and church notes in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press. It's on newsstands now but you can subscribe right here to the full online version or the printed mailed edition and never miss an issue.

There’s only one source of comprehensive news and sports coverage in Marion and Crittenden County. Never miss out on what’s going on in your community. We have our ear to the rail and always keep you posted on what’s happening. Subscribe today to ensure that real news reporting continues in your community. Get the printed edition or read the entire paper online with a subscription to The Press, starting at just $2.95.

Copyright 2018

The Crittenden Press

Read it today, or hear it next week

Pole prayer vigil at schools

A large crowd gathered for the See You at the Pole prayer session at Crittenden County high and middle schools this morning.

There was a similar opportunity for students at the elementary school.

Students led prayer at each location. 

First United opening Oct. 3

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Weekly meat specials

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Lauren Gilchrist 1st Region Golf Tournament

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for details.

Seven Springs Revival next week

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Area death

Jackie G. Williams, 80, of Marion died Sunday. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arraignments.

Opening Soon: New Marion bank

First United Bank executives have been attending to final details at the new Marion branch which will open in a few days on Main Street.

First United is headquartered in Madisonville. It also has branches in Erlington and Beaver Dam.

Pictured is bank President and CEO Jason Hawkins, who was overseeing office equipment delivery late last week.

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for details about the bank's grand opening and who will be working at the branch.

LHHS has job openings

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Temporary ferry contract will end unless agreement reached by Sept. 30

Ferry owner Lonnie Lewis heads to his backhoe which
he has been using, trying to fend off a swollen
Ohio River at the Cave In Rock Ferry.

Copyright 2018

The Crittenden Press

Just moments before he was to meet Tuesday with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) Deputy Secretary Paul Looney, Cave In Rock Ferry owner Lonnie Lewis was on the Kentucky shore operating a backhoe, trying to fend off the high waters of the Ohio River.

“People don’t see all of this part of it,” he said, referring to his work to keep the ferry going despite high water.

Lewis continues to negotiate with KyTC leaders with hopes of keeping the ferry open beyond the end of this month. The ferry was about to cease its service in July, but state officials reached a temporary agreement to keep it running for 90 days, yet at shorter hours.

For many years, the ferry had operated 16 hours a day, 365 days a year. But since July 1, it has operated on an abbreviated schedule, just 12 hours a day, 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Lewis says he needs about $150,000 more annually from both Kentucky and Illinois to get the ferry back to its previous service hours. The two states share in the annual cost of running the ferry. For almost 24 years, the states have paid $402,000 each.

Lewis met Tuesday with state transportation officials and local leaders, including Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom, at the ferry office in Cave In Rock, Ill. Now, there's another meeting scheduled for next Tuesday between Lewis and Kentucky's highest official in the transportation department, Secretary Greg Thomas.

Most are hoping that a long-term solution can be found to get the ferry’s hours back to where they were, yet there is a greater problem looming as the temporary agreement keeping the ferry running on the abbreviated scheduled ends Sunday, Sept. 30. There had been talks about extending the temporary agreement another 90 days, but so far, no contract has been let. If nothing changes, the ferry could close in a couple of weeks.

There’s only one source of comprehensive news and sports coverage in Marion and Crittenden County. Never miss out on what’s going on in your community. We have our ear to the rail and always keep you posted on what’s happening. Subscribe today to ensure that real news reporting continues in your community. Get the printed edition or read the entire paper online with a subscription to The Press, starting at just $2.95.

Read it today, or hear it next week

Farm to Table Dinner: Perryman on Large-Scale Gardening

Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce held its annual Farm to Table Dinner last night on the lawn at Marion First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Local fruit and vegetable producer David Perryman was the keynote speaker. Perryman and his daughter, Mary, operate a vegetable and fruit stand on Ky. 1668 (Crittenden Springs Road).

Click the above image to hear Perryman tell about how his family got into large-scale gardening and how they make it work. Listen to our Podcast from last night's event.

Chamber appealing for fall decoration

“With the festival located around the courthouse we are asking store owners, to decorate their storefront with cornstalks, pumpkins and fall foliage,” said Chamber President Randa Berry.

“There will be a contest. First-, second- and third-place plaques will be awarded to the Best Dressed.”

Berry is asking merchants to put on their creative hats and make their storefronts beautiful.

“This will help unify our pumpkin theme,” she said. “If the Chamber can be of any assistance to you or your business please let us know.”

Rocket News Webcast: Don't miss this episode

As you will see from this week's Player Segment on the Rocket PreGame and Coach's Show on You Tube, a couple of Rocket football boys may have a post-athletic career in broadcasting.

Ethan Dossett and Jake Gibson caught up with new CCHS Principal Amanda Irvan and they got the low-down for the upstart Rocket News Network about what she eats, for whom she cheers and what position she thinks she could play on the football field. 

The weekly coach's show – produced by The Crittenden Press – features Rocket Football Coach Sean Thompson and much more. Check it out on You Tube and subscribe to The Crittenden Press You Tube Channel to get all of our broadcasts. Don't forget, there is a new show posted every Thursday, and you can win a round of golf just by watching and answering a trivia question. 

Congressional candidate visits Saturday

Paul Walker, the Democratic challenger for the 1st Congressional District seat in this November's general election, will be in Marion Saturday for a town hall meeting. Walker will be at Crittenden County Public Library from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the library meeting room.

Food bank distribution Sept. 28

The next distribution for Crittenden County Food Bank will be Friday, Sept. 28. Food will be handed out from 8 a.m. to noon at Crittenden County Assistance Center on North Walker Street, Marion. An ad in this week's Early Bird showed the incorrect date.

Everything you need to know

Get everything you need to know from this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, which is on newsstands now. You can also subscribe to the online version or printed mailed edition so you never miss out on our complete coverage of community news and events.

In this week's newspaper we will catch you up on all that's going on around the county and in town.

We have more details from that frightening accident at Marion-Crittenden County Park's soccer field last weekend.

There's other big news brewing for the park. In this week's newspaper you can see what major development is coming soon.

We have an update on the Cave in Rock Ferry that you will want to read and a recap of last week's important public forum about the future of Crittenden Hospital. And, there's a little local politics, too.

See our complete homecoming coverage plus get all the scores, statistics and highlights from local sports. The volleyball team is still rolling and has a big showdown this weekend. Catch up on all of it in your community newspaper.

There’s only one source of comprehensive news and sports coverage in Marion and Crittenden County. Never miss out on what’s going on in your community. We have our ear to the rail and always keep you posted on what’s happening. Subscribe today to ensure that real news reporting continues in your community. Get the printed edition or read the entire paper online with a subscription to The Press, starting at just $2.95.

Copyright 2018

The Crittenden Press

Read it today, or hear it next week

First United offers $100 bonus

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Weekly meat specials

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Ovarian Cancer Tea Saturday

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Area deaths

Lavine Marguerite Campbell, 94, of Marion died Sunday. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Peggy Jean Binkley, 77, of Burna died Sunday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Emergency fiscal court meeting Tuesday

Crittenden Fiscal Court will have an emergency-called meeting at 8 a.m. Tuesday to consider authorization for bidding on a single-axle truck for the road department, replacing one that was wrecked over the winter. The auction is later Tuesday, and the court needs to authorize spending up to a set amount for the truck.

Pick-up, delivery offered

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Meth investigations on the uptick here

Criminal drug cases rose in 2016 to a five-year peak in Crittenden County and it appears methamphetamine is becoming more prevalent inside the city limits of Marion.

Marion’s top cop says meth finds by city police were once fairly uncommon, but this year officers are making a record number of meth arrests.

The number of illegal methamphetamine labs being busted is way down here, but the drug is likely being imported from Mexico, says the state prosecutor.

Get all of the details in the Sept. 13, 2018 printed issue of The Crittenden Press.

There’s only one source of comprehensive news and sports coverage in Marion and Crittenden County. Never miss out on what’s going on in your community. We have our ear to the rail and always keep you posted on what’s happening. Subscribe today to ensure that real news reporting continues in your community. Get the printed edition or read the entire paper online with a subscription to The Press, starting at just $2.95.

Copyright 2018

The Crittenden Press

Read it today, or hear it next week

Area Death

Judith Willingham of Chicago died Thursday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

One injured in park crash

A vehicle accidentally crashed through a fence at the soccer field this morning at Marion-Crittenden County Park.

A youth soccer match was going on and at least one boy was injured. The child was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

All matches were cancelled.

“It was just awful. Kids were running and parents were running. The car shot out there so fast,” said a woman whose child was playing in the match.

Bystanders said it was an elderly woman behind the wheel. Marion Police Department is investingating the incident.

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Distinguished Alumni Ceremony

Video clips from today's 

Marion-Crittenden County

Distinguished Alumni 

Luncheon and Presentation Ceremony

For complete profiles of each distinguished honoree, see

this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press

Subscribe and Get It Now Online

2018 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

Operatic Baritone Corey Crider

Geneticist Jared Ordway

US Navy SEAL Barry Enoch (posthumously)

Public has many questions about CHS sale

Click Image to Hear Full Meeting Audio

About 100 people crammed into the Marion Ed-Tech Center meeting room Thursday evening for a public forum on the proposed sale of Crittenden Health System. 

The crowd included about two dozen local government and hospital officials who have been working on a deal to sell the real estate and healthcare operations to a private group. They say it's in the best interest of the community and long-term health of the hospital. Some in the audience were not convinced and spoke their objections and concerns.

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom opened the two-hour meeting by offering a visual presentation with slides and points on the background of Crittenden Hospital and the general condition of rural healthcare in America. Newcom also answered questions. He was joined at the front of the room throughout the meeting by CHS Board Chairman Charlie Hunt, County Attorney Rebecca Johnson and Terry Nichols, an executive with Rural Hospital Group, the Kansas City, Mo., corporation wanting to purchase the hospital. The group has been managing CHS for about a year.

The information and discussion offered will be used by county government and hospital directors in the coming weeks while they weigh their decision on whether to pull the trigger on the deal. The Crittenden Press will have an in-depth article next week, outlining the community's concerns and the responses by those orchestrating this proposed deal.

Crittenden Fiscal Court, which owns the hospital real estate, appears to be the lynchpin in the decision-making process. The court meets again 8:30am Thursday, Sept. 20.

If you were not able to attend last night's forum, but would like to listen to a full audio of the meeting, The Press is making it available online. What you will find on the audio recording is Judge Newcom and other presenters making points and answering questions. Sometimes the questions are difficult to hear on the audio, but the answers are clear. Click Here to listen.

A recent Crittenden Press poll on Twitter about the potential sale of the hospital found that few patently disagree with the idea of selling it, but most want more information. Sixty-five votes were cast in the unscientific poll. Forty-two percent agree with the premise of selling the hospital, 11 percent disagreed and 47 percent said they need more information before responding. That is why your community newspaper has been on top of this major news story since its beginning a few weeks ago.

There’s only one source of comprehensive news and sports coverage in Marion and Crittenden County. Never miss out on what’s going on in your community. We have our ear to the rail and always keep you posted on what’s happening. Subscribe today to ensure that news reporting continues in your community. Get the printed edition or read the entire paper online with a subscription to The Press, starting at just $2.95.

Copyright 2018

The Crittenden Press

Read it today, or hear it next week

Homecoming parade draws 40 entries

Bird's eye view of this afternoon's parade.

The annual homecoming parade this afternoon was well attended.

Main Street was full of observers and about 40 entries participated in the parade, which kicked off the weekend's featured homecoming activities.

Tonight is the powder puff football game at Rocket Stadium and on Friday night a ceremony to crown a homecoming king and queen begins at about 6:15pm.

Webster County will be the Rockets' homecoming opponent on the football field. Kickoff is at 7pm Friday.

Crittenden County is 3-1 in its games this season while Webster County is 1-3.

Public meeting tonight on Hospital Sale

Local leaders are hosting a public forum starting at 6pm tonight to discuss the potential sale of the community hospital.

The meeting will be held at Marion Ed-Tech Center on Industrial Drive.

A Crittenden Press poll on Twitter has found that many of you want more information about this potential sale. Current poll results are at shown in the accompanying graphic. There is still time to vote in this poll on Twitter. It ends in a few hours.

County officials and hospital directors will be there attempting to answer all questions.

Crittenden Health System's Board of Directors has proposed selling the hospital (a non-profit corporation) and the real estate (which is owned by the county) to Rural Health Group Consolidated, an affiliate company of a firm hired last fall to manage the hospital.

A couple of newspaper articles published by The Crittenden Press over the past few weeks have tried to answer many of the questions local residents may have with regard to the potential sale. If you have other questions or just want to listen in at the meeting Thursday, it is open to everyone.

Your community newspaper was responsible for first reporting this news story and bringing you all of its details over the past few weeks. If you care about information like this and want the newspaper to continue with this type of reporting, please subscribe. Only with your paid subscriptions to print or full online versions will we be able to continue covering news and sports in Crittenden County. Since 1879, The Crittenden Press has been the most reliable and most timely source of important information that affects this community. Subscribe today! 

Read it now, or hear it next week
©Copyright 2018
The Crittenden Press

Homecoming parade today at 5pm

Lineup for today's homecoming parade will begin on Elm and other city side streets west of Main Street. Parade organizers ask that those participating in the parade to please park elsewhere and walk to the staging area. Lineup may begin at 4pm.

There are almost 50 entries in this year's parade, and Main Street/US 60 will be closed to traffic for about an hour while the parade makes its way through town.

The parade will kick off at 5pm and travel northward along Main Street. The theme is "Crittenden Turns Up the Spirit!"

Distinguished Alumni Honored this Week

Are you tired of learning about what was in your community newspaper a day or two later?

Subscribe today and never miss our coverage of what's happening in town and what's going on with your neighbors.

This week's printed edition of the newspaper is chocked full of locally-generated articles about some Very Distinguished Crittenden County High School alumni.

Read about one of America's most decorated Navy SEALs who hails from right here in Crittenden County.

The Meth Problem is growing in Marion and we look as some numbers that are concerning.

Another interesting article you will find in the newspaper is dedicated to CCHS junior Lauren Gilchrist, who was among the Top 10 Golfers in a state tournament.

Our sports coverages brings you more than just the scores. We have the Highlights and the Details. If that's not enough, visit our You Tube Channel for the weekly Coach's Show and other video stories.

Subscribe today and get The Press Full Online Edition or have The Press Mailed to you each week.  

Treatment for back, neck pain

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Want to know who has the best BBQ around?

In case you missed it, get all of the details of last weekend’s Boot Scootin’ Barbecue Contest in this week’s printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Rain didn’t wash the taste out of any of the good food smoked on the courthouse square. 

Grab this week’s issue to see who got blue ribbons for everything from sauce and ribs to chipped pork.

A Cut Above weekly specials

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First United offers $100 bonus

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Two county roads closed this week

Higgins Road in southern Crittenden County will be closed most of the day Tuesday for maintenance and Axel Creek Road in the southern part of the county will be closed to through traffic for two weeks beginning Sept. 17.

For more on these closing, see the Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018 printed edition of The Crittenden Press or subscribe now.

Gilchrist finishes 8th in state tournament

Gilchrist hits a drive at Saturday's
All A Tournament in Richmond.

Crittenden County junior Lauren Gilchrist shot 6-over par Saturday to fulfill a goal and finish among the top 10 golfers at the All A Classic State Tournament in Richmond.

Gilchrist, a five-time qualifier for the state championship event for small schools, was 8th overall.

Read the story about her weekend round and how she approached it in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, which will be on newsstands on Wednesday.

Want to never miss a story like this? Subscribe now to the online full version or the traditional print newspaper that will be mailed to your home.

By subscribing you can be sure stories like this will continue coming your way.

Read it today or your might hear about it next week!
©Copyright 2018
The Crittenden Press

Leaf collection rescued by inmates

Crittenden County Detention Center has come to the rescue to save a popular but costly city service for the fall.

For at least this year, a partnership between the City of Marion, the jail and county government will resurrect autumn leaf collection offered for many years to city property owners. In the city’s current budget, council members had cut out funding for the popular program as a cost-saving measure in a spending plan stretched thin.

“The citizens have expressed how important it is to them. We knew we had to get something done, and thanks to Robbie and the jail, it’s going to get done,” said Mayor Jared Byford, referring to Jailer Robbie Kirk.

Likely beginning sometime after mid-October, Kirk will assign one of his supervised mowing crews to the task. They will use the city’s leaf vacuum hauled by one of the lock-up’s own 3/4-ton trucks. Kirk said Judge-Executive Perry Newcom okayed the move since it will require the supervision of a deputy jailer on the county’s payroll.

The agreement was reached last Thursday, three days after a city hearing on a property tax increase during which time Marion’s former mayor, Mickey Alexander, brought up elimination of services like the leaf collection as one reason he could not support an additional burden on property owners. Leaf collection began many years ago under Alexander’s leadership as mayor as a way to eliminate problems like bothersome smoke and melted asphalt from burning leaves and clogged storm drains across the .... for more of this article see the Sept. 6, 2018 printed edition of The Crittenden Press or subscribe now.

Saturday's BBQ festival rain or shine

Saturday's Boot Scootin' BBQ Competition and Festival around the court square in Marion will be held rain or shine.

Organizers with Community Arts Foundation are still planning for it to happen despite an unfavorable weather forecast.

The festival is slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., downtown Marion.

Rusty Gate open for season

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Big Homecoming Sale at Hodge's in Marion

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Public event to discuss hospital's future

Local leaders are hosting a public forum starting at 6pm next Thursday, Sept. 13 to discuss the potential sale of the community hospital.

The meeting will be held at Marion Ed-Tech Center on Industrial Drive.

County officials and hospital directors will be there attempting to answer all questions.

Crittenden Health System's Board of Directors has proposed selling the hospital (an independent non-profit corporation) and the real estate (which is owned by the county) to Rural Health Group Consolidated, an affiliate company of a firm hired last fall to manage the hospital.

A couple of newspaper articles published by The Crittenden Press over the past few weeks have tried to answer many of the questions local residents may have with regard to the potential sale. If you have other questions or just want to listen in at the meeting next week, it is open to everyone.

Your community newspaper was responsible for first reporting this news story and bringing you all of its details over the past few weeks. If you care about information like this and want the newspaper to continue with this type of reporting, please subscribe. Only with your paid subscriptions to print or full online versions will we be able to continue covering news and sports in Crittenden County. Since 1879, The Crittenden Press has been the most reliable and most timely source of important information that affects this community. Subscribe today! 

Read it now, or hear it next week
©Copyright 2018
The Crittenden Press

Circuit clerk, sheriff offices closed Saturday

Crittenden County Courthouse will be closed Saturday due to the Boot Scootin' BBQ Competition and Festival on the court square.

BBQ festival Saturday

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Arrangements for fire victims announced

This week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press carries an article about the tragic fire that claimed four lives in the rural western part of the county early Sunday morning. 

Read about reaction to the mother's heroism and sacrifice as the mobile home was engulfed in flames.

Below are funeral arrangements, which have just been finalized, for the fire victims.

Nathan DeWayne Hillard, 18 months, of Salem, KY. died Sunday September 2, 2018 at his home in Salem, KY.
Survivors include his sister, Jessie Claire Hillard of Salem, KY.; grandparents, Kristie Dickerson of Salem, KY. and Stephen W. Dickerson of Hampton, KY.; grandmother, Janie Hillard of Salem, KY.; great grandparents, Larry W. and Hazel Dickerson of Hampton, KY.; great grandparents, Robert and Betty Prince of Milton, KY. and Robert Lee Hillard of Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lindsay Dickerson and Waylon D. Hillard.
Memorial services are scheduled for 2 PM Saturday September 8, 2018 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion, KY.  The family will receive visitors from Noon Saturday until service time at the funeral home.
Graveside services are also scheduled for 2 PM Sunday September 9, 2018 at Hampton Cemetery.

Lindsay Danielle Dickerson, 26, of Salem, KY. died Sunday September 2, 2018 at her home in Salem, KY.
Survivors include her mother, Kristie Dickerson of Salem, KY.; father, Stephen W. Dickerson of Hampton, KY.; daughter, Jessie Claire Hillard of Salem, KY.; brother, Clayton Caleb Dickerson of Marion, KY.; grandparents, Larry W. and Hazel Dickerson of Hampton, KY.; aunt Tammy (Richard) Doom of Smithland, KY. and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her son, Nathan D. Hillard.
Memorial services are scheduled for 2 PM Saturday September 8, 2018 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion, KY. The family will receive visitors from Noon Saturday until service time at the funeral home. 

Waylon DeWayne Hillard, 32, of Salem, KY. died Sunday September 2, 2018 at his home in Salem, KY.
Survivors include his mother, Janie Hillard of Salem, KY.; daughter, Jessie Claire Hillard of Salem, KY.; sisters, Mary Frances Hillard of Salem, KY., Heather Renee Hillard of Lebanon, KY. and Melissa Jane Hillard of Radcliff, KY.; step sister, Santana Maddox of Lebanon, KY.; grandparents, Robert and Betty Prince of Milton, KY. and Robert Lee Hillard of Ohio.
He was preceded by his father, Bobby Wayne Hillard; son, Nathan Hillard; step brother, Jeremy Scott and sister, Angela Dawn Hillard.
Memorial services are scheduled for 2 PM Saturday September 8, 2018 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion, KY.  The family will receive visitors from Noon Saturday until service time at the funeral home.

Kenneth Shelby Belt, 76, of Salem, KY. died Sunday September 2, 2018 at his home in Salem.  He attended Salem Methodist Church.
Survivors include his daughters, Kristie Dickerson of Salem, KY. and Stacy Meadows of Paducah, KY.; brothers, Donald Belt of Lola, KY. and Jewell Belt of Hanson, KY.; sister, Velvie Walker of Evansville, IN.; 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Cenia Belt; 1st wife, Beverly Belt; 2nd wife, Sandra Linzy; daughter, April Belt; granddaughter, Lindsay Dickerson and great grandson, Nathan Hillard.
Memorial services are scheduled for 2 PM Saturday September 8, 2018 at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion, KY.  The family will receive visitors from Noon Saturday until service time.

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Big Meat Sale at A Cut Above in Marion

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Victory Gardens done for season

Distribution has ceased at the community Victory Gardens planted by Crittenden County Detention Center. Jailer Robbie Kirk said the plots, now at the end of the growing season, could not produce enough to sustain daily giveaways. The jail maintains a lease on the property from the City of Marion through at least the close of 2019, meaning the gardens should be back in production next spring.

Homecoming parade deadline is Thursday

Deadline to participate in the annual Crittenden County’s football homecoming parade is Thursday. All entries must be declared this week.

The parade will be held on Main Street in Marion starting at 5 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 13.

 The theme is "Crittenden Turns Up the Spirit!"

Golf carts and ATVs are prohibited and all drivers of motorized vehicles must be at least 18 years old.

Lineup will begin at 4 p.m. To register or for information, email glenna.hoeszle@crittenden.kyschools.us or leave a message with the high school office at (270) 965-2248.

Area Death

Elouise Howard, 88, of Burna died Sunday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Four dead in early-morning house fire

Coroner Brad Gilbert investigates the scene.

NAMES RELEASED
Update 7:15pm
Investigators have released the names of the victims of this morning's fire near Lola.

Dead are Kenneth Belt, 75; his granddaughter Lindsey Dickerson, 26; Waylon Hillard, 32; and the couple's 18-month-old child Nathan Hillard.

The cause of the fire has not been determined. Foul play is not suspected. The investigation will continue by Kentucky State Police.

See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for further details.

Update 12:21pm

Four people have now been confirmed dead in this mobile home fire, according to County Coroner Brad Gilbert. The identities have still not been released, but it appears that the dead include two young adults, an elderly adult and a very young child, according to authorities.

Updated 9:41am
Two people are confirmed dead and investigators fear that perhaps two more may have perished in a mobile home fire early this morning in rural Crittenden County near New Union Church.

Firemen from Crittenden County and Salem volunteer fire departments were dispatched to Watson Cemetery Road at 4am Sunday, an area near the county line not far from Lola, Ky.

One six-year-old child was reportedly rescued from the home by a family member who lived nearby. That rescue, purportedly occurred before firefighters arrived on scene, according to investigators, who have yet to interview the survivor or the person who allegedly rescued the child.

Three adults and another child were believed inside.

Crittenden County Sheriff's Deputy Chuck Hoover said two are confirmed dead and the investigation is continuing. The state police fire investigator and state police detectives had arrived on scene by 9am. The state fire marshal was also en route.

Crittenden County Coroner Brad Gilbert had been on the scene since before daylight. Gilbert said identities will not be released until the investigation at the location is complete, perhaps later today or tomorrow.

Investigators are asking motorists and curiosity seekers to please avoid the area as fire trucks and those conducting the investigation need ready access to the scene without added traffic.

Raw video from the scene this morning

shows firefighters and law enforcement