The Press Online: September 2020

SPECIAL ELECTION, July 27, 2004
Fourth District Kentucky SenateRepublican
DAVID THOMASON - Crittenden Votes 876, Districtwide Total 8,362Other county totals: Caldwell 975, Henderson 4,127, Livingston 622, Union 918, Webster 844

Democrat
DORSEY RIDLEY - Crittenden Votes 728, Districtwide Total 12,094Caldwell 1,284, Henderson 5,707, Livingston 928, Union 1,854, Webster 1,593

2004 Primary ElectionTurnout was incredibly light at Crittenden County polling places for Tuesday's primary election.
At one of the county's precincts, Fords Ferry, only 19 votes were cast. Countywide 580 voters turned out, 10 percent of those registered here.
Marion No. 3 precinct at Marion Baptist Church had the largest number of voters of the county's dozen polling places with 70 citizens casting ballots.
While the presidential nominees are already basically decided, there was a statewide senate race. Crittenden Countians picked winners in both primaries, going with incumbent Jim Bunning and Democratic challenger Daniel Mongiardo, a current state senator from Hazard.
At right are local results.REPUBLICANU.S. PRESIDENT
George W. Bush 195
Uncommitted 11
U.S. SENATOR
Jim Bunning 191
Barry Metcalf 11

DEMOCRATU.S. PRESIDENT
John Edwards 56
Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr. 3
Howard Dean 7
Dennis J. Kucinich 2
Joe Liberman 9
John F. Kerry 240
Wesley K. Clark 13
Al Sharpton 6
Uncommitted 26
U.S. SENATOR
Daniel Mongiardo 182
David L. Williams 756

CLICK HERE for 2003 General Election Results
Scroll down for other recent elections

CRITTENDEN COUNTYNOVEMBER 2002 GENERAL ELECTION


ELECTION RETURNS	TOTAL VOTES

COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE
Pippi Hardin (R)	1662
Donnetta Travis (D)	1566
DISTRICT 1 MAGISTRATE
Roger Simpson (D)	239
Hayden McConnell (R)	262
DISTRICT 2 MAGISTRATE
Curt Buntin (D)	360
	0
DISTRICT 3 MAGISTRATE
Junior Martin (D)	191
Glenn Underdown (R)	255
DISTRICT 4 MAGISTRATE
Percy Cook (D)	222
Michael Perryman (R)	163
DISTRICT 5 MAGISTRATEE
William "Mutt" Griffin (D)	343
Greg West (R)	359
DISTRICT 6 MAGISTRATE
Bobbie Don Crowell (R)	232
Dan Wood (D)	326

DISTRICT 1 CONSTABLE
James R. Blackburn (W)	10
DISTRICT 2 CONSTABLE
Don Young (D)	133
Loyd Patton (R)	279
P. "Skip" Stalion (I)	90
DISTRICT 3 CONSTABLE
Roy Todd (D)	182
DISTRICT 4 CONSTABLE
C. L. McDaniel (D)	210
DISTRICT 5 CONSTABLE
James D. Binkley (D)	263
Mike Stone (W)	82

JAILER
Jerry Gilland (R)	1764
Serrina Witherspoon (W)	23
Paul Allen (W)	222
US SENTATE
Mitch McConnell (R)	2136
Lois Combs Weinberg (D)	896
US REPRESENTATIVE
Ed Whitfield (R)	2026
Clint Alexander (D)	949
STATE SENATOR
Paul Herron (D) (Critten den 1207)	15,975
Mark Williams (R) (Crittenden 1837)	12,709
STATE REPRESNTATIVE
Mike Cherry (D)	1737

CRITTTENDEN PVA
Ronnie Heady (D)	1835

COUNTY ATTORNEY
Alan C. Stout (R)	2093

COUNTY CLERK
Carolyn Byford (R)	2250

SHERIFF
Wayne Agent (R)	2331

CORONER
Terry Gilbert (R)	2152

DISTRICT JUDGE DIV. 1I
C. Rene Williams	1889

DISTRICT JUDGE DIV. 2N 2
William E. Mitchell (Critt 849, Web 2117, Union 1755)	4721
Karen Woodall Heady (Critt 1727, Web 867, Union 1654)	4248

AMENDMENT 1
Yes	1920
No	673
AMENDMENT 2
Yes	1708
No	863

SCHOOL BOARD DIST. 2
Tina Harris	302

SCHOOL BOARD DIST. 5
Keith Hart	327
Phyllis Orr	535

MARION MAYOR
Michael D. Alexander	633
MARION CITY COUNCIL
Fred Brown	640
Janet Crider Pierce	635
Michael Byford	634
Dwight Sherer	629
Ronnie "Doorknob" Hughes	509
Allen Lynn	606
Shelby Bridwell	331

LIVINGSTON COUNTY
NOVEMBER 2002 GENERAL ELECTIONU.S. SENATE
Mitch McConnell 1,546
Lois Combs Weinberg 1,151

U.S. HOUSE
Ed Whitfield 1,427
Klint Alexander 1,261

STATE SENATE
Mark Williams 1,112
Paul Herron 1,451

STATE HOUSE
Mike Cherry 1,829

PVA
Sue Carver 1,901

JUDGE-EXECUTIVE
Chris Lasher 1,883

COUNTY ATTORNEY
Billy Riley 1,938

COUNTY CLERK
Carroll Walker 1,912

SHERIFFTom Williams 1,869CORONER
Jeff Armstrong 1,803

MAGISTRATE DIST. 1
Doyle Owen 228
Terry Stringer 428

MAGISTRATE DIST. 2
Joe O'Bryan 571

MAGISTRATE DIST. 3
Jerry Deatherage 368

MAGISTRATE DIST. 4
Ivus Crouch 484

CONSTABLE DIST. 1
Jones 371

CONSTABLE DIST. 3
Ramage 337

CONSTABLE DIST. 4
Earl Brown 446

SCHOOL BOARD DIST. 1
Ronica Woodward 338

SCHOOL BOARD DIST. 5
Mike Joiner 335

DISTRICT JUDGE Div. I
William McCaslin 1,132

DISTRICT JUDGE Div. 2
Jill Clark 1,370

GRAND RIVERS MAYOR
Moodie 153
Oldfield 45

GRAND RIVERS COUNCIL(elect 6)
Buchanon 163
Sledd 148
Coleman 144
Gray 144
Webb 128
Lady 117
Martin 89
Stiles 78
Gary 60
Tullar 54

SALEM COUNCIL(elect 4)
Bea Croft 101
Jimmy Randolph 9
Scharlene Adams 3

CARRSVILLE MAYOR
Deana Gearding 8

CARRSVILLE COUNCIL(elect 4)
Dorothy Gearding 9
Lisa Hughes 9
Maxine Monroe 8
Roger Morris 7

SMITHLAND MAYOR
Tom Cothron 93

SMITHLAND COUNCIL(4 elected)
Elvis Joiner 65
Rosa Gilland 62
James Terry 62
Hiram Smith 57
Philip Thomason 47
Clay Elrod 31
Lonnie Dixon 30

AMENDMENT 1
Yes 1,389 No 700
AMENDMENT 2
Yes 1,212 No 895

May 2002 Primary ElectionIn Crittenden County 33 percent voter turnout
Crittenden County
Republican Primary
Judge-Executive
Pippi Hardin - 638
Cletus O. Hunt - 390

County Attorney
Alan C. Stout* - 758
Michael A. Crider - 247

Constable - 2nd District
Rick Prado - 51
Loyd Patton - 98

Magistrate - 3rd District
Glenn Underdown - 98
William H. "Bill" Brown - 37

Magistrate - 5th District
Hugh Highfil - 97
Greg West - 103
Wayne Winters - 27

Magistrate - 6th District
Bobbie Don Crowell* - 171
Vance Todd - 53

Democratic Primary
Magistrate - 2nd District
Curt Buntin* - 96
James Hodge - 40

Magistrate - 3rd District
William E. Martin, Jr.* - 84
Joey Hackney - 26

Constable - 3rd District
Danny Belt* - 41
Roy Todd - 57

Magistrate - 5th District
Donald Conway - 59
William "Mutt" Griffin - 144
Gary L. Kirk - 44

Magistrate - 6th District
Dan Wood - 98
Pat James - 58

U.S. Senator Click here for statewide totals
Tom Barlow - 591
Lois Combs Weinberg - 223

In Livingston County 62 percent voter turnout

Livingston County
May 2002 Primary Election
Democratic Primary
Judge-Executive
Joe Ward* - 959
Chris Lasher - 1,461
Harry Van Smith - 658
Brian McDaniel - 615

Sheriff
Tommy Williams* - 1,533
Marion Hodge - 1,148
Rick Hensley - 859
Randy L. McDonald - 134

Jailer
Benjamin Guill - 1,313
John Ray Franklin - 1,196
Thomas "Tinker" R. Lester - 582
Wade Franklin Ramage - 495

County Clerk
Vernon Edwards - 164
Victoria M. Davenport - 34
Debbie L. Willbanks - 984
Carroll D. Walker - 1,024
Nancy ReFern Jackson - 153
Phil Maddux - 260
Patty Hubbard - 627
Debbie House Wright - 463

Magistrate - 1st District
Terry Stringer* - 333
Steve Crowley - 154
Joe A. Ledbetter - 217
Tommy Talley - 43

Magistrate - 2nd District
Joe O'Bryan* - 377
Perry Coleman - 167
Franklin Walker - 369
Jim Stinnett - 74

Magistrate - 3rd District
Wm. Jerry Deatherage* - 416
Brad Hunter - 336

Magistrate - 4th District
Roy Ringstaff* - 469
B.E. "Dabb" Cobb - 72
Ivus H. Crouch - 497
Josh Thomason - 61
Charles "Chuck" Bearden - 101

Constable - 4th District
Earl B. Brown - 623
Terry Wayne Cobb - 414

U.S. SenatorClick here for statewide totals
Tom Barlow - 2265
Lois Combs Weinberg - 941

Diabetes classes begin Oct. 20

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A new series of diabetes classes will begin mid-October.

Provided by the Pennyrile District Health Department's Diabetes Education Program, the classes are designed to help people adjust to life with diabetes. Anyone who is recently diagnosed or is the loved one of someone recently diagnosed is encouraged to sit in on these classes.

Due to COVID-19, classes are offered online. On four Tuesdays and Thursdays in October and November, classes are offered at 1 p.m. and can be viewed from a computer, tablet or phone.

Bus drivers needed in Crittenden School District

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The Crittenden County Board of Education is hiring bus drivers.

Benefits for bus drivers include health insurance, a retirement plan, paid training and paid holidays among other things.

To learn more about opportunities and responsibilities, contact the Crittenden County Schools' transportation department.

Two new cases of COVID-19 announced

Crittenden County has two new confirmed cases of COVID-19. These mark cases number 126 and 127 in the county since March.

The county has reported three new cases in the past seven days.

The two new cares are both male, and they are ages 49 and 35. Both are at home.

In an unrelated matter, Marion Baptist Church has announced that it will be halting Sunday service and other programs for one week. Pastor Aaron Brown announced on social media this afternoon that the church is "postponing all in person services until October 11."

"A contact of a positive case has been in our building. This was a contact, not an active positive case. Out of Love and an abundance of caution we are worshiping online this Sunday at 11. See you then," said a message on Facebook accompanying the pastor's videotaped announcement.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Discuss Woodmen Life with Grant Rogers

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Planning for the future can cost you as little as $17.24 a month.

Contact Grant Rogers, representative for WoodmenLife, to learn more about the availability of life insurance policies and other financial savings plans.

Rogers' office is located on Gum Street in Marion behind Tabor's Towing & Repair.

Job Corps Center has openings

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Earl C. Job Corps Center is looking for employees.

The center has positions available in a number of departments. Competitive wages and benefits are provided.

For more information, contact the center.

Monday, September 28, 2020

Former school board chairperson dies

Former Crittenden County Board of Education chairperson Phyllis Orr, 71, of Marion died Sunday at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Orr was a native of Murray but taught for many years in the Crittenden County School District. After retirement she was elected to the Board of Education.

There will be a complete obituary in this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press.

Fire department WiFi established for students

WiFi is now available at the parking lot at Shady Grove, Mattoon and Caldwell Springs volunteer fire departments for students on virtual learning platforms.

The school district is partnering with the local fire departments to provide venues for free internet service in rural areas. Its mission is to make these ISP hotspots available so students can upload and download school work and correspond with teachers.

The WiFi is available from 7 a.m., until 8 p.m., daily at the fire departments.

Other active local parking lot WiFi access points are at Kentucky Farm Bureau, Crittenden County Public Library, Marion Baptist Church Family Life Center, McDonald’s and all Crittenden County schools. Students may also make an appointment at Salem Baptist Church to use its internet service.

Currently, 422 students are on virtual learning plans.

Sunday, September 27, 2020

Landscaping company offers local services

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Have you been contemplating landscaping?

Need your current flower beds revamped and plants replaced? Or are you looking for a completely new design?

Call the professionals at Yard Fish Landscaping in Smithland. With 20 years experience, Yard Fish is the landscaping crew for you.

School district hiring bus drivers

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The Crittenden County Board of Education is hiring bus drivers.

Benefits for bus drivers include health insurance, a retirement plan, paid training and paid holidays among other things.

To learn more about opportunities and responsibilities, contact the Crittenden County Schools' transportation department.

Saturday, September 26, 2020

County continues to explore Yoder Road options

In response to a group of citizens raising concerns about the closing of Yoder Road at Crooked Creek, the county has asked a state road engineer to look at ways to improve the low-water creek crossing so that vehicle traffic could still use it.

The road was closed in June to through traffic at the creek, which is also where the Amish community swinging bridge is located. The gravel creek crossing and plank bridge had become tourist attractions, say those opposed to the closing.

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom told magistrate recently that preliminary indications are that the cost to improve the crossing so that it would be safe and suitable for automobile traffic, according to state standards, would be around $100,000. The judge said the engineer also estimated that maintenance costs could be very high as well.

Magistrate Dan Wood said he has a creek crossing with a similar issue in his district on Frank Hill Road.

Friday, September 25, 2020

Rockets LIVE Play-by-Play from tonight's game

Join our webcast crew tonight from Rocket Stadium

for Crittenden County vs Murray Football

PRE-GAME SIDELINE SHOW on FACEBOOK 6:40pm

KICKOFF TO LIVE GAME ACTION 6:55pm on YOUTUBE

Below are quick links to get you to tonight's webcasts of

the Sideline Show and Play-by-Play Action of the Game

The Crittenden Press on Facebook

The Crittenden Press YouTube Channel

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL : Saturday's Schedule

What to expect at Pumpkin Fest

Entertainment, arts and crafts, food, children’s events and more will be featured at Saturday’s annual Pumpkin Festival in downtown Marion.

A car show, 5K event and the unveiling of the Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year are also among plans for the daylong event.

“Because of COVID, it’s going to look a little different,” said Amy Collins, executive director of the Chamber, which organizes the event.

“Due to health guidelines there will be no face painting, pedal tractor pull or bouncy houses,” she added.

The good news is that many of the event’s popular activities will be back, including the local fire department water hose demonstrations that allow children to spray for fun. It will be in the Farmers Bank parking lot behind the bank, next to the library.

Tim Rhodes, a Princeton man pursuing a country music career, will provide live entertainment in town. Dozens of vendors are scheduled for the courthouse lawn. The festival opens at 8 a.m., with a 5K run and walk at Marion-Crittenden County Park. At 9 a.m., the court square vendors will open and at noon will be a ceremony where the Chamber will present all of its annual awards. The ceremony will open with the Boy Scouts and Lacie Duncan presenting the National Anthem.

COVID case is fifth in past week

Crittenden County has confirmed another COVID-19 case. This diagnosis, announced this morning, is No. 125 in this county since the pandemic began.

It is the 60th case reported in September.

While almost half of the county's entire number of coronavirus cases have come in the past month, the rate has slowed remarkably in the past week or so. Today's case is the fifth in the past seven days.

The individual is an 82-year-old male who is recovering at home. This is the third person over the age of 80 to have been diagnosed in Crittenden County. Coming soon in the full edition of The Crittenden Press is a complete analysis of all cases reported in the county since spring.

COVID UPDATE: Message from School Supt. Vince Clark

I would like to take this time to thank everyone who has contributed to our Back2School Plan. We continue to evolve our actions and reactions as COVID makes its impact daily on each of our lives. We have held to the belief that our mission during this public health emergency is to Continue Learning, Feed Kids and Take Care of Each Other. Each of those tenants are challenged each day, but for the most part, they are working while we are doing some normal activities. Certainly, we are not living in normal times.

Last week, we completed our fourth (and first full) week of school, with victories celebrated by our soccer, volleyball, golf, cross country and football teams. More importantly, however, we were able to educate 70 percent of our students in their classrooms, while engaging 30 percent of our students virtually. During that course of time, our technology and maintenance teams collaborated with our local area fire departments to install Wifi hotspots at Shady Grove, Mattoon, Caldwell Springs and Tolu to engage our remote learners. Our food service team was able to prepare breakfast and lunch meals not only for our in-person learners, but also our virtual learners, with a drive thru pickup at CCES each Monday. In addition, our school nurses, counselors, Mountain Comprehensive Care and FRYSC teams were able to take care of physical, social and emotional needs of our students. Our school resource officer provides a sense of safety and security for our students, while our staff checks

Worley joins Shear Illusions staff

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A new stylist has joined Shear Illusions' staff.

Ashley Worley is offering $5 off pedicures and a free eyebrow wax with the purchase of a hair service as an introductory special.

Worley joins stylists Tiffany Brown, Debbie Summers and Casey Winstead at the Marion salon, located on First Street.

For an appointment, call (270) 704-3231.

Hurricane revival this weekend

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The traditional week-long Hurricane Camp Meeting and Hurricane Youth Camp was canceled in June because of COVID-19; however, an abbreviated version is scheduled for Sept. 25-27.

Held in the open-air tabernacle on the grounds of Hurricane Methodist Church near Tolu, the three-day revival will feature three ministers and music each night.

The 132nd annual Hurricane Camp Meeting Revival will begin at 7 nightly and will include an 11 a.m. service on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

OLD TIMERS GAMES Softball & Baseball Sunday at Park

Batting practice right after church around 12:30pm. Game time 2pm. Bats will be provided. There will be baseball for the guys and softball for the gals. This is a fundraising event. Cost is $25 per player. There will be a "hit it off the tee" home run derby on both fields following the game for $5 per player. Light concessions will be available. Please be prepared to meet CDC requirements for COVID-19. Players beyond HS age may participate. There will be some baseball pitching restrictions based on age. You do not have to be a CCHS alumnus or former Rocket player to participate. If you love baseball and softball come support youth sports programs and have fun doing it!

County reports one COVID-19 case today

A 65-year-old female is the latest confirmed case of COVID-19 in Crittenden County.

This was the only case reported in the county today, and is the 124th case reported here since records began begin kept in the spring.

The woman is at home recovering.

Find out about city's plans for leaf pickup

Tuesday was the official first day of fall and leaves are beginning to drop from a few trees.

If you live in the City of Marion curbside leaf pickup has always been a staple of fall.

As autumn begins to creep into the air, it's time to see what's going on with plans for leaf pickup in Marion. This week's full edition of The Crittenden Press has an article about what you can expect, and stories on many other topics that are important to life and culture in Marion and Crittenden County.

SUBSCRIBE now for as little as $2.95 a month.

Motorcycle crash on Crittenden Springs

First responders were dispatched to a traffic accident on Ky. 1668 (Crittenden Springs Road) just before 11:30am today.

Reports indicted that one person was injured in a motorcycle crash. The bike reportedly went off the road and hit a tree.

AirEvac was summoned to transport the patient to a nearby hospital. Reports from the scene indicated the middle-aged male victim was conscious and talking to medics.

No further details were immediately available.

Parables in the Park Tonight; through October

Marion Baptist Church will be hosting its second Parables in the Park this evening starting at 5:30pm with a free meal at Marion-Crittenden County Park.

The faith-based event includes Bible Study at 6pm with age-specific groups and messages for children, youth and adults.

Social distancing is being observed and everyone is encouraged to wear a mask per state guidelines.

This is an open and free event.

The church plans on having Parables in the Park every Wednesday through October.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Pumpkin Festival, Chamber awards this weekend

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Marion and Crittenden County will usher in fall with the annual Pumpkin Festival this weekend.

Scheduled for Saturday around the court square, the event will feature common festivities including vendors, live music and a car show. A couple events are cancelled this year due to concerns over COVID-19.

At noon, the Chamber will announce the recipients of its annual awards, including Person of the Year, Unsung Hero and Community Service Award.

A corn hole tournament, 5K and demonstrations for kids by the Marion Fire Department are among the events offered.

County reports new COVID cases today

UPDATED 5:30pm with a second case today

Crittenden County has reported two new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the county total to 123 since the pandemic began.

These make five cases reported here in the past seven days. For a more detailed analysis of recent cases and where Crittenden stands on the state's color-coded incidence map, see this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press, on newsstands or online Wednesday afternoon.

The latest cases are both females, ages 51 and 77. Both are isolated at home.

Drive-through COVID testing this morning in Marion

Free drive-through COVID-19 testing will be administered this morning at the Crittenden County Health Department off Industrial Drive in Marion.

The testing will be available from 8am until 11am. No appointment is required.

Testing will be available in Lyon County from 12:30pm until 3pm at the health department.

Monday, September 21, 2020

Car show Saturday during pumpkin festival

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A car show during the Pumpkin Festival in Marion Saturday will be hosted by First United Bank.

Registration begins at 9 a.m.

There will be trophies for best of show, best truck and best car in three separate divisions.

The car show will be held at Marion Baptist Church, one block off Main Street.

Hurricane Camp Revival this weekend

Hurricane Camp Meeting near Tolu is hosting an abbreviated Camp Meeting Revival this coming weekend, Sept. 25-27.

Evening services are at 7 p.m., and Sunday’s is at 11 a.m.

The traditional revival and youth camp were canceled in June due to COVID-19.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Plans being considered for new high school

In Case You Missed This Article in last week's full edition of The Press...

Solving overcrowding within the Crittenden County School District starts with a new high school. That was the consensus by members of the Local Planning Committee (LPC) as part of a state-mandated four-year facilities plan.

The LPC heard detailed facility needs and an explanation of the district’s bonding capacity during a recent meeting. The 16-member LPC consists of parents, teachers and community members.

A new high school is one building block toward solving overcrowding at Crittenden Elementary and replacing the 70-year-old Crittenden County Middle School, long identified as a top priority in the district.

The LPC’s draft proposal is to demolish CCMS, move fifth through eighth grades to the current high school, which will become the middle school, and construct a 15-classroom high school on the north side of Rocket Arena.

According to a review by RBS Design Group, Crittenden County School District has about $10 million... To Read the Rest Please Subscribe to the Online Full Edition or Grab a Traditional Copy at One of Our Many Newsstands or Vendors around the area.

Friday, September 18, 2020

One COVID case today, 9th for the past week

Crittenden County’s COVID-19 numbers have slowed this week, but another was announced today, brining the county total to 121 cases.

The person diagnosed and reported this afternoon is a 67-year-old male who is at home recovering.

The pandemic has affected women slightly greater than men if you look at the number of confirmed cases here. So far, 68 of the cases have been females.

After 28 confirmed cases the previous week, there have been just nine in the last seven days.

Rescue Squad sending donation letters, cancels photos

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The Crittenden County Rescue Squad is foregoing its family portrait fundraiser this year due to concerns over COVID-19. Instead, the volunteer agency will be mailing letters requesting donations from local citizens.

The rescue squad relies on donations to operate and officials remind Crittenden Countians that the rescue squad does not receive money from county fire dues. No one will make door-to-door solicitations for donations for the rescue squad, nor will anyone phone you. Instead, letters and self-addressed envelopes are being mailed requesting donations.

City flushing hydrants beginning Sunday night

The City of Marion is alerting residents that it will be flushing hydrants within the city limits Sunday through Wednesday night.

The routine procedure cold affect water pressure late at night, and residents could notice a milky appearance to their water, officials say.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

One new COVID case to report today

Crittenden County reported one new case of COVID-19 today.

The latest diagnosis brings the county's caseload to 119 since March when records began being kept.

This case is a 42-year-old old female isolated at home.

Meanwhile, the county's rolling seven-day average has dropped to 37.3 after being in the mid 40s last week. The figure is the incidence rate based on a formula the state uses to determine the weekly positivity rate based on cases per 100,000 people.

Hurricane turns into three-day revival

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Byford, longtime clerk, announces early retirement

Longtime Crittenden County Clerk Carolyn Byford has announced that she will retire at the end of this month.

The county will begin an immediate search for a temporary replacement that will serve until the next election.

Byford has been the county clerk for 21 years. She has worked in the clerk’s office for 38 years. Her husband, Danny Byford, preceded her as county clerk.

Byford, 63, in an emotional statement to the fiscal court Thursday morning, told local leaders that health issues were largely the reason for her choosing to retire early. Her term ends in two years.

The county will begin taking applications for the position. Judge-Executive Perry Newcom said a committee will be appointed to review applicants. "All interested and qualified parties should submit a letter of application along with a resume to the Crittenden County Fiscal Court at 107 S. Main St., Ste. 208, Marion, KY 42064 or email to brittany.mardis@crittendencountyky.org. no later than 4:30pm on Thursday, Sept. 24. According to state law, the county judge-executive is responsible for making the appointment to fill the unexpired term of the clerk.

County leaders and residents appointed to the search committee are Judge Newcom, County Attorney Rebecca Johnson, Byford, Magistrate Todd Perryman, Sheriff Wayne Agent, PVA Ronnie Heady, local attorney Wes Hunt and local resident Shawn Stinnett.

The clerk's salary is set by state law. Starting salary for a new clerk is $77,624.97 plus benefits.

What's News this Week in Our County

With so much going on in your community, it's important to stay on top of the news.

The Crittenden Press provides articles, information and entertaining stories that you will find nowhere else. You will see news and sports that is not on Facebook or Instagram... nowhere on broadcast news... just in your weekly full edition of The Crittenden Press.

Check out this week's edition to see what we're talking about, and what others are talking about, too.

Some of this week's top news:

Swelling local COVID-19 numbers and another death
Charges in a death investigation from more than a year ago
Probation revoked on a notorious local criminal
There's a federal plea in a locally record drug bust
Local tax and voting information
How to become an outdoors elk specialist
Plus much more

Get your newspaper today, or subscribe to the full online version.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Rockets game at Paintsville is off, but ...

Crittenden County will not be going to Paintsville for the much-anticipated football game this weekend.

The decision was dictated by an uptick in COVID-19 cases here. The game originally to be played in Marion, but Paintsville balked at that earlier in the week as cases of coronavirus jumped in Crittenden County. So, the game was then rescheduled for Saturday at Paintsville.

It was cancelled shortly after noon time on Wednesday, sending the Rockets looking for a game closer to home.

As of right now, Crittenden County will play football Friday night at Union County. The Braves were supposed to host Caldwell County this week, but because of the high number of cases in Union County, that game was put on hold. Crittenden was scheduled to play Union County at Marion next week, Sept. 25. With that Friday night date aborted, CCHS will turn its attention to finding another game for Sept. 25.

Both Union and Crittenden counties are listed as "red counties" or COVID hotspots in Kentucky, according to Kentucky's COIVD incidence map VIEW HERE.

Stay tuned for details. This whole situation still seems fairly fluid.

Tournament supports local athletics

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A golf tournament sponsored by First United Bank will benefit Crittenden County athletes.

Entry fee is $50 for the Sept. 26 tournament at Marion Golf & Pool (formerly Marion Country Club).

Mulligans will be available for purchase for the flighted event that begins at 10 a.m.

First Untied Bank will provide door prizes, lunch and beverages.

Call (270) 965-1222 to register by Sept. 23.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

One new COVID death; 2 new cases here

Two new cases of novel-coronavirus have been confirmed in Crittenden County and one new death.

From March through July, Crittenden County had just 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

There have now been 28 new cases reported in the past week, giving Crittenden the highest county incidence rate in Kentucky over the past 7 seven days.

The county has now seen 118 confirmed cases since the pandemic began in the spring, and three deaths associated with COVID-19. The latest death was a 75-year-old male whose death was reported today. No other information was immediately available.

Since early August, the number of cases here has ballooned at a rate that has alarmed health officials and is also prompting sports events to be moved or canceled, schools to be close periodically and other traditional events to be postponed or canceled.

Here are the past week’s confirmed cases of novel-coronavirus:

53-year-old female isolated at home
37-year-old female isolated at home

Monday, September 14, 2020

One household, seven more COVID cases today

This morning, seven new cases were reported in the county, and now there are more.

This afternoon, the county is reporting another seven cases, all of these are from the same household.

The following are details for the latest cases, which brings the county's total to 116 positive cases since the pandemic began.

16-year-old male isolated at home
14-year-old isolated at home
15-year-old isolated at home
12-year-old isolated at home
17-year-old isolated at home
55-year-old isolated at home
67-year-old isolated at home

PODCAST: Big move for Friday's football game

CLICK IMAGE TO LISTEN

There is a big change for Friday's football game against Paintsville.

The matchup was scheduled to be played at Crittenden County, but due to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases here, the Paintsville school administration has decided not to come. Instead, Crittenden County's football team will be traveling almost six hours to the opposite side of the state to face the Tigers on their home turf.

Listen to details here on the Sean Thompson Post-Game Show.

Seven new cases, including a 3-year-old

There was no slowing of COVID-19 cases over the weekend. This morning Crittenden County leaders announced seven new cases, bringing the county total to 109 since records began begin kept in March.

The county is currently considered to be a COVID hotspot in Kentucky.

The spike in locally positive cases is starting to greatly affect the community's work to get back to normal after the spring and summer shutdowns. Deer Creek Church announced this week it was closing for a couple of Sundays after reporting a positive case in its congregation and there's some indication that the high school football game scheduled for here Friday night could be derailed. Contract tracing is also affecting other facets of life, as both young and old are facing mandated quarantines.

Here are the latest details on the cases announced today:

3 year old female isolated at home
43 year old male isolated at home
53 year old male isolated at home
72 year old male isolated at home
52 year old female isolated at home
54 year old female isolated at home
33 year old male isolated at home

Saturday, September 12, 2020

Average KY Yield Projected at 181 bushels an acre

By Dee Brasher Heimgartner, Extension Ag Agent

Corn harvest is fast approaching in many parts of Kentucky and, in fact, is well underway in some of the state’s western most counties with 2% of the crop harvested as of Aug. 30.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates that the average corn yield will be 181 bushels per acre for Kentucky producers. If you consider the current cash prices, which range from $3.50 to $3.75, and account for average harvest-related losses between 2% and 5%, these losses will cost between $13 to $34 per acre. Operators who pay attention to equipment details before and during harvest and minimize their harvest losses will be rewarded accordingly.

If you haven’t already done so, now is a good time to clean all harvesting equipment. This includes not only the combine, but also grain carts or gravity wagons and truck beds. Remove all grain and residue from the previous crop where insects can thrive to avoid contaminating newly harvested corn.

Following a thorough cleaning, service the combine to assure reliable performance during harvest. Check oil levels, grease all bearings and fittings, lubricate chains, check belt tension and inspect for any signs of excess wear.

When operating a combine, the goal is to run the machine in the “sweet spot” that strikes a balance between grain quality and throughput. Hitting that sweet spot takes a combination of combine adjustments

Ponder

A memorial service will be held Sunday to recognize the five-year anniversary of the death of a Kentucky State Trooper on I-24.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict westbound traffic to one lane on Interstate 24 at the 49 mile marker in Lyon County from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday evening.

The restriction will facilitate a 5 p.m., memorial service for Kentucky State Trooper Cameron Ponder.

Trooper Ponder was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop at this interstate location in 2015.

The memorial service will be held just west of the Friendship Road Overpass.