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Emergency medical personnel, including Mattoon first responders and Crittenden County Rescue Squad, have been dispatched to the scene of a one-vehicle accident on Ky. 654 near Mattoon.
One lane of traffic is blocked in the area of 1600 Ky. 654 North.
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Our lead story details big news for the highway in front of the school campus and hospital.
You'll need to take a look at this week's newspaper to get the scoop.
Crittenden County's COVID-19 cases have gone from an average of about 2.5 cases a day for much of late March and April to nearly nothing now.
Over the seven-day period ending Wednesday, counting cases from April 22-28, there were just three reported in the county.
Phin Croft Road in the northwest part of the county is closed due to high water.
Crittenden County Road Department has issued a statement noting that a great deal of water from flash flooding is covering the road at Barnett Creek.
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A Day of Giving cookout on Friday, May 7 will help raise funds for the Rocket Foundation. Established in 2020, the foundation is used to enhance educational and career-related opportunities for Crittenden County High School students.
Pork chop sandwiches, chips and a drink will be available for $6 at the Day of Giving cookout. Pre-orders are accepted at the Board of Education by calling (270) 965-3525, and Beta Club members are distributing order forms throughout town.
The benevolence of numerous Crittenden County families helped to kick off the Rocket Foundation earlier this year to assist students financially by bridging the transition between high school and their future.
The foundation was developed by Superintendent Vince Clark to make funds available to assist high school students in a number of ways related to their academic success.
Funds from the foundation will be used for the following purposes:
•Cost of tuition or dual credit courses
•Textbooks for college courses taken during high school
•Work ready certifications and industry certifications
•Scholarships to colleges, universities and trade schools
Contributions to the foundation began being accepted in December 2020 after letters were mailed to Crittenden County graduates and community leaders. Additionally, about two dozen school employees have pledged twice monthly deductions from their paycheck. Additionally, the bedrock of the foundation was a generous donation of $15,000 from one Crittenden County family and an employer match.
The goal for the Rocket Foundation is to raise $150,000 by Jan. 1, 2022.
Tax-deductible donations to the Crittenden County Rocket Foundation can be mailed c/o Diane Winters, Finance Officer, 601 West Elm St., Marion, KY 42064.
Crittenden County parents interested in having their children take advantage of the state’s recently-approved SB 128, or "do-over bill,” must submit application to the board of education by Saturday, May 1. Printed copies are available at the board office and can be picked up between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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Yard Sale: 5380 U.S. 60 East, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m
Are you having a yard sale? People look for them each week in The Crittenden Press and Early Bird in order to plan their weekend shopping excursions. Don't be left out. Advertise yours. Cost is $6 for 20 words and 10¢ a word if you go over 20.
Press classifieds work!
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There will be four different fees ranging from $1 to $7 for each bag, depending on its size from a small household bag to a barrel-sized bag.
Other fees will remain the same.
Marion's refuse and recycling convenience center is open from 8 a.m., to 3:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The center is closed Sunday and holidays. The county also has a free brush dump on Bridwell Loop for organic materials.
A 34-year-old ordinance seems to be the only thing stopping a Marion couple from moving their current out-of-town business closer to home.
Wicked Eye Tattoo Ink is a permanent-cosmetic tattoo shop currently located in Eddyville where it offers services such as tattooing, permanent lip liner, eyeliner and eyebrows.
Owner Kaylyn Oates said that earlier in the month, she and her husband Ryan contacted city officials to find out about a business license. What they learned was an existing ordinance requires a weekly $200 fee for a tattoo parlor.
Still looking to move their business to town, the shop’s owners attended Tuesday’s Marion City Council meeting with a proposal to ... read the rest of this article in the full version of the April 22, 2021 Crittenden Press. Go here to subscribe.
Crittenden County road maintenance crews plan to temporarily close a couple of roads to through traffic this week as they complete improvement projects.
Although access by property owners will not be hampered on either project, Just-A-Mere Road and Lloyd Road will be closed for periods of time.
It is not likely that either will be closed overnight during the project period. However, if work requires overnight closure, access will remain open on both ends of each road to accommodate property owners, but through traffic could be prohibited.
Crews will be doing base repairs on Just-A-Mere Road in the eastern part of the county and repairing a cross tile on Lloyd Road in the southern part of the county.
The Rockets won the Second Region championship last week over Caldwell County, and on Monday beat Murray in the Western Kentucky Sectional to advance to this weekend's Final 8 at Chautauqua Park.
Crittenden is 10-2 this season. Owensboro Catholic is 11-2 and ranked No. 13 in the state.
The Rocket bus will be leaving town at 9:30am Saturday, passing through downtown. The booster club is encouraging supporters to be on the streets to cheer the boys off.
First pitch is scheduled for 12:30pm, but rain is in the forecast at Owensboro.
WMJL Radio is planning to broadcast the game.
Attendance was light last night as only 13 individuals made up of mostly local officials were with Judge-Executive Perry Newcom for the first of two public meetings he is hosting at the Marion Ed-Tech Center to present information about the proposed new courthouse, county offices and the 911 Center.
At this week's forum, Judge Newcom proclaimed his desire for more locals to be present so they can understand the entire picture the community is facing with decisions on projects that could affect the community for years to come.
The final public meeting is at 6pm Tuesday, April 27 at the Ed-Tech Center on Industrial Drive.
Registration for Tails & Tales, the summer reading program at Crittenden County Library begins April 23.
Grab & Go reading kits are available for the library program, which runs through June 30.
The summer reading program is a great way to help avoid the “summer slide,” which is a lull in good reading habits while kids are out of school.
Help keep your child’s reading skills sharp by registering them for the summer reading program.
A program guide and calendar for fun outdoor library programs is also available.
Crittenden County and the City of Marion have over the past few days each issued extensions to filing deadlines for annual net profit taxes in order to remain in sync with federal and state tax deadlines which were also extended due to issues related to the pandemic.
The new deadline for city and county tax filings is May 17.
Crittenden County continues to see about a two new cases of the coronavirus each day. There were three reported yesterday and 14 over the previous seven-day period that ended Wednesday.
To be vaccinated call your local health department.
New cases here over the past week have widely ranged in age from 11 to 87. There were more older folks coming down with the virus this past week than in the past month or so. About half were 50 or older.
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The Crittenden Press has a complete look at plans by the Kentucky Department of Transportation over the coming months to improve county highways.
See article in this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press.
Boys and girls at Crittenden County Elementary School can attend an after-school basketball skills development program that will include competition.
The program begins today and will be held right after school until 4:45 p.m., every Thursday until school is out.
It is being coordinate by the high school basketball coaches.
There is a $20 fee and players will each receive at T-shirt. Registration forms are available at the school.
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Crittenden County has reported a dozen new COVID-19 cases during the seven-day period between Wednesday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 19.
Of those cases, one 87-year-old man was hospitalized. It was the first hospitalization of a reported case since early January, according to initial-diagnoses information from public health officials.
See more recent pandemic information in this week's full edition of the newspaper.
Rocket junior right-hander Maddox Carlson took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and Crittenden led 10-0 before the host Tigers got on the scoreboard. CCHS posted two runs in the first and three in the fourth, scoring in every frame except the second.
Senior Trace Adams and juniors Logan Bailey and Carlson paced the offense with two hits apiece. Carlson drove in three runs.
Crittenden (9-2) will play in the state small-school quarterfinal for the first time ever. The Rockets had previously played in the All A state sectional (opening round) in 2008, losing to Murray.
CCHS will face No. 13 Owensboro Catholic in a 12:30 start on Saturday at Chautauqua Park in Owensboro. Tickets will be available in advance only. More details on ticket sales will be released later today.
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Law enforcement and Crittenden County fire personnel are en route to the scene of an accident on Ky. 120, about 8 miles from Marion.
Reports are that a semi tractor-trailer is across the highway and there is a small field fire.
The Rockets won the Second Region championship last week, beating Caldwell County 10-0 in the title game. Murray defeated Carlisle County for the First Region championship.
Winner of tonight's 6pm matchup at Ty Holland Stadium will advance to the Final 8 on Saturday at Owensboro against Third Region champion No. 13 Owensboro Catholic, which beat Clinton County Saturday in an opening round matchup.
In case you're wondering where some of this year's players stack up in the all-time Rocket Baseball Record Book, Go Here to See.
Due to a quicker than anticipated schedule for replacing a crossing tile on Caney Fork Road, it will be reopening today at noon.
Plans had been for the work to take much longer, but materials were readily acquired to finish today. The road had been closed for about a week.
On Tuesday, there will be some major work on Weldon Road. County crews will be there most of the week at a section between US 641 and Coleman Road. The closure will not affect homeowners on the road, but through-traffic will not be permitted during the project. Detour signs will be posted.
Crittenden County had do it on two different diamonds Thursday, but eventually won the school's second Class A Second Region Baseball championship.
The Rockets opened the game at Dawson Springs and led Caldwell County 8-0 in the fifth inning when the lights would not fully illuminate at dusk. The contest was moved 15 miles down the road to Princeton where CCHS scored two more runs in the final three innings and won 10-0.
Senior Caden McCalister got the Rockets off the launch pad with a two-run homer in the first inning. Crittenden outhit the Tigers 13-5 as junior Maddox Carlson and senior Gabe Mott had three apiece. Juniors Logan Bailey and Ben Evans had two each, and they shared the pitching duties. Bailey went five innings and fanned seven. When the game was moved from Dawson to Princeton, Evans took over and went the final three frames, striking out four.
Crittenden, now 6-2 on the season, will play in the All A Classic Western Sectional against Murray, which won the First Region title Thursday by beating Carlisle County. The sectional championship will be held at 6pm Monday at Murray. The winner advances to the Final 8 in Owensboro next weekend.
The Rockets play at Trigg County tonight in a Fifth District game and will be at home on Saturday at 2pm against Mayfield.
Eleven-year-old angler and lure maker Trapper Haire shows us how to tie your own flies and then takes us on a trip to his favorite fishing hole. Read his entire story in the full edition of The Crittenden Press, April 15, 2021 issue.
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Marion Fire Department responded and quickly got the situation under control.
No damage was done at the store.
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There were a couple of new cases of COVID-19 confirmed here on Monday, bringing the county’s seven-day total to 15 during period of April 6 through April 12.
The case total for the county since the pandemic began has grown to 675 with 22 deaths.
Vaccine is readily available to almost anyone age 16 and over, but Kentucky has stopped using the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after the CDC recommended a “pause” to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots due to the shot.
The Cave-in-Rock Ferry, closed for about 24 hours due to high winds, will reopen this afternoon.
Plans are begin ferrying traffic across the Ohio River again at 5pm.
A female patient was taken to a regional hospital by Air Evac.
EMS and Crittenden County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene. Crittenden County Rescue Squad was initially paged out, but its response was called off.
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Cave-in-Rock Ferry will remain closed on Sunday due to wind gusts that make its potentially hazardous to operate.
The ferry closed at 5pm Saturday due to high winds on the Ohio River.
The ferry will remain closed until it's safe to navigate the river.
Winds were out of the west at about 25 miles per hour yesterday with gusts to 32 mph. When the wind is out of the west it interacts with current in the river to create choppy conditions. Similar conditions are forecast for Sunday.
Caney Fork Road in rural northern Crittenden County is temporarily closed to traffic because of a drain tile failure near the intersection of Nunn Switch Road.
Caney Fork is between Nunn Switch and Blackburn Church roads.
County officials say the road will likely be closed for a few weeks as a tile must be procured then installed.
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Crittenden County Board of Education will meet in special session Monday night to develop its official application with the Kentucky Department of Education's Facilities Branch of construction for a new high school. Board discussion will include input from financial and design professionals.
The board will meet at 5:30 p.m., Monday, April 12 in the Rocket Arena Conference Room.
About 600 boxes of food will be handed out to those in need.
Distribution will be at the PACS Community Center on North Walker Street.
Crittenden County will be on the Carp Mayhem Tournament Series 2021 with a bow fishing tournament on the Ohio River and weigh-in at the fairgrounds.
Marion Tourism Commission and bow fishing event promoter William Miller of Princeton are teaming up to bring the first tournament of this type of Marion.
There will be big money for the top three finishers. First place gets $5,000, second place $1,000 and third place $500. That payout is based on 36 boats entering the tournament. Marion’s tourism department is making a guaranteed cash contribution to host the event.
Registration begins at 6 p.m., on Saturday, May 15 at the Crittenden County Lions Club Fairgrounds. Launching will be at 7 p.m., at Riverview Park (formerly Dam 50 recreation site) and weigh in will be at 7 a.m., the next morning at the fairgrounds.
Teams may consist of 2-4 members. Entry fee is $125 per team.
There will be a $1,000 bonus drawing for participants who can provide receipts showing they patronized Crittenden County restaurants or lodging facilities during the three-day weekend beginning on Friday.
Asian carp are the primary targets for these type of events. Winning teams are determined by weight for their biggest 15 fish. Fish disposal will be provided by Aquatic Protein.
For more information call Marion Tourism Commission at 270-965-5015 or the event promoter at 270-963-5898.
Series points can be earned in this tournament. The Carp Mayhem Tournament Series began in February and has tournaments scheduled into August.
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By RUSS BYNUM and MICHELLE R. SMITH Associated Press
Nearly half of new coronavirus infections nationwide are in just five states — a situation that is putting pressure on the federal government to consider changing how it distributes vaccines by sending more doses to hot spots.
New York, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey together reported 44% of the nation's new COVID-19 infections, or nearly 197,500 new cases, in the latest available seven-day period, according to state health agency data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Total U.S. infections during the same week numbered more than 452,000.
The heavy concentration of new cases in states that account for 22% of the U.S. population has prompted some experts and elected officials to ... Go here for the rest of this article.
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| Ashlyn Hicks' homered in the first inning to start what appears to be a record-setting performance. |
Played at Marion-Crittenden County Park, the Lady Rockets riddled Caldwell County for 21 hits en route to an 18-9 win, picking up their first victory in four games this season.
The hit total ties CCHS for sixth place on the KHSAA’s all-time record for most hits in a single game. The state record is 26.
It’s also potentially a school record, although fast-pitch softball statistics have not been archived since the school began playing the sport in the late 1990s.
Perhaps most remarkable is that the combined number of hits by both teams, which was 38, would set a new KHSAA record, once confirmed by KHSAA officials. The previous mark was 36, which was set in 2017 by Russell and a team from Virginia.
Crittenden County’s new cases of COVID-19 continue to remain fairly flat. There were eight cases reported early this week bringing the county’s seven-day total to 15 for the period of March 30 through April 5.
Many of the newly diagnosed individuals over the past week or so have been teens.
Only three people age 70 or above have been diagnosed with the virus here since the middle of March, an indication, say local leaders, that most elderly are being vaccinated.
Six cases over the past week have been teens or pre-teens.
Highway work will begin today on KY 70 in southern Crittenden County near Frances.
The project runs from the KY 855 intersection eastward through Mexico to Mott City Road, a distance of just over four miles.
The work is expected to take about a week to complete, weather permitting.
Drivers should be alert for one-lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers during daylight hours.
Kentucky State Police is investigating the armed robbery that took place shortly after 2 p.m., on Monday.
A preliminary investigation has revealed that a white male, approximately 6-foot-3 entered the bank wearing a hoodie and mask, and demanded money while stating he had a gun.
The man exited the bank and left the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.
He was last seen near Westerfield Drive in Providence. Anyone recognizing the suspect or having any information should contact state police at 270-676-3313.
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KICKING OFF A SERIES OF PODCASTS
As the academic calendar begins to wind down in one of the most unusual – and perhaps trying – school years in recent history, The Press spent some time with Superintendent Vince Clark discussing various issues important to parents and the community.
The Press Online has produced a three-part series of podcasts, which can be found at the link in the top left corner of this website. The first program in this series is available now. Each episode is about 15 to 25 minutes and they are packed full of details and important information on a vareity of topics.
The series is sponsored by the Pennyroyal Center and its child protection program entitled Remove the Risk, encouraging parents and others to avoid having prescription opioids within ready access of children. You can learn more about the program at FDA.gov/DrugDisposal.
Part 1 of the podcast series focuses on the school district’s end-of-year calendar and has specific information about anticipated protocols for graduation, prom and other typical recognition events in May. Summer learning opportunities and what students can expect when they come back to school in August for the 2021-22 academic year, including important dates, are also outlined in the first installment. Go here to listen.
Part 2 will take a close look at recent legislation passed by the Kentucky General Assembly, including the so-called “Do-Over” option for students affected by the pandemic this school year, the new tax credit law for sending children to private schools and more. Clark also goes into great detail about the district’s plan to build a new high school. Go here to listen.
Part 3 examines staffing and personnel situations at the school and where jobs will be available for the new academic year. Additionally, the superintendent talks about the Rocket Foundation and its effort to help provide more options for dual credit courses, a program that lets students take college classes and earn trade certificates while still in high school.
Find these podcasts at The Press Online. They will be released one at a time starting today and ending early next week.
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Crittenden County EMS and Crittenden County Rescue Squad are on the scene of a one-vehicle accident at the intersection of U.S. 60 East and Ky. 1668. It is unknown whether there are injuries.
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See this week's newspaper for details.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
In 2019, Crittenden County had 72 child victims in family court over abuse and neglect cases. Statistically, that’s four percent of the child population in the county.
Family Court Judge Brandi Rogers alongside other Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) planted blue pinwheels on the courthouse lawn, representing a carefree childhood, which is what the organization strives for with all children.
Marion Woman’s Club also placed pinwheels at Marion City Hall.
What makes the stone so interesting is that Mrs. Love had it inscribed with the words “My husband Wm. Love was killed by the Harps” in August 1799.
The Harps were a set of notorious outlaw brothers and are said to have slain Mr. Love, a surveyor, at an inn in Webster County, purportedly because he was snoring.
The story of the Harps’ murderous campaign in frontier western Kentucky is well documented in a number of books, some of which are available at the museum.
A new stone was placed at Love’s burial site and the former donated to the museum.
The museum opens for the season April 7. Its hours are 10 a.m., until 3 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays. You can call the museum at 270-965-9257. It is located at 124 East Bellville Street across from The Crittenden Press.
There are artifacts and historical memorabilia on display in a number of rooms on two floors of the museum, which is housed inside the former Presbyterian Church.
The building itself is a historical structure having been the earliest church in the city. It was built in 1881. When the church closed in 2002, the building was donated to the Crittenden County Historical Society and turned into a museum.