Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Looking for beautiful venue?

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Fohs Hall in Marion is the ideal venue for your next event. 

Whether it is a small celebration, anniversary party or corporate meeting, Fohs Hall is an historic setting with plenty of room to accommodate your needs.

The former school is the site of community events such as concerts, 
plays and special performances by school groups. It is also available 
for private events.

To learn more about space availability, contact Elliot West.

Job Corps Center looking for employees

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The Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center is offering a sign-on bonus.

The Morganfield academy also offers competitive salaries, a benefits package and advancement opportunities.

Both full- and part-time positions are available.
To learn more about the sign-on bonus or any of the employment opportunities available, visit mtcjobs.com.


Hodge named PVA Deputy of the Year

At last week’s fiscal court meeting, Crittenden County Deputy PVA Libby Hodge was presented an award for being named Kentucky Deputy of the Year. 

Crittenden County PVA Ronnie Heady made the surprise presentation. 

Heady said the award is typically presented during the annual PVA state conference, which was not held because of the pandemic. 

Hodge has worked 14 years in the property valuation office at the courthouse and is truly deserving of the honor, Heady said.

Monday, November 29, 2021

Work underway on Deer Creek Church Road

A Crittenden County road maintenance crew is working on Deer Creek Church Road today.  

It will be closed until 3pm this afternoon.

Buntin conducts Blackburn auction Saturday

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Curt Buntin will sell the personal property of Pat and Becky Blackburn Saturday, Dec. 4.

Buntin Auction Service will begin the auction at 9 a.m.

Located in Fredonia, the sale will feature a wide variety of guns, knives, collectibles, tools, furniture and outdoor equipment.

The auction is located at 110 West Pearson Street in Fredonia.





Your voting place could change in 2022

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Crittenden County's consolidation plan for future elections has been okayed by the state, and the county is getting a grant to help pay for new voting equipment.

The election site consolidation plan which trims the number of polling locations from 12 to five was approved last week by they State Board of Elections. It will be the first time in more than 30 years that the county has had fewer than a dozen voting sites.

Crittenden County Board of Elections a few months ago submitted the consolidation plan. It maintains rural voting options in the Tolu-Sheridan area, the far southern and eastern parts of the county and in Mattoon. In town, there will be one county-wide voting center at Marion Baptist Church. The central voting site will consolidate six traditional voting locations in Marion to just one. Voters who have traditionally cast ballots at Marion Ed-Tech Center, Emmanuel Baptist Church, St. William Catholic Church, Crittenden County Public Library and the courthouse will now vote at Marion Baptist Churuch.

Any voter in the county, regardless of his or her certified precinct, will be allowed to cast their ballot at the voting center at Marion Baptist. 

Voters in the Shady Grove and Mattoon areas will see no changes.

In addition to Election Day, there will be only three days of early voting on Thursday, May 12 through Saturday, May 14. Mail-in balloting will also be available for a handful of voters like the elderly, sick, care-takers or people who might be out of town during early voting and on Election Day. For the rest of this article, see the November 25, 2021 full edition of The Crittenden Press

Saturday, November 27, 2021

Small Business Saturday in Marion

It's not too late to get in on all of the deals around town in the area today.

Rocket grads heading to state championships

A couple of Rocket football alumni and former CCHS coaches will soon join only a handful of Crittenden County High School graduates to ever coach in a state football championship.

Sean Thompson, head coach at Paducah Tilghman, and Noah Dickerson, assistant coach at South Warren, will be on the sidelines at Kroger Field in Lexington on Dec. 4 as their teams seek state championships.

Their teams won their respective state seminal games Friday night. Read more at RocketsFootball.com where we've listed other CCHS grads who coached in state finals. 


Official Couple: Porters enjoy reffing together

A shortage of referees and umpires is affecting local scholastic, recreational and travel sports across the region, state and country. 

Since the pandemic began, fewer and fewer new officials are joining the ranks and more are quitting.

One local couple has found that they can spend quality time together and earn extra money. The unique tandem was officiating a middle school basketball game last week in Marion. The husband and wife team of Jeff and Misty Porter are no strangers to local athletics. They played sports in high school at Crittenden and Livingston Central, respectively, and have raised  children who were very active in scholastic sports.

 CAN YOU MAKE THE CALL?

If interested in being a paid referee or umpire in any scholastic sport, email matt.bell@webster.kyschools.us or call 270-871-6956 for more information. Association meetings will begin in January. There is a nationwide shortage of sports officials and help is greatly needed in this area. 

Now, their  distinctive work as a self-contained referee crew is quite unique and might be an inspiration for other families to get involved with officiating.

“I get to call two or three games a season with Jeff in basketball. I enjoy it because we hash out the game on the way home or test each other on rules on the way to the game,” said Misty.

“Officiating allows me to be involved with sports which I love and to be part of a team with my fellow officials. In the last few years it has become very special as I get to share my hobby of officiating with my wife,” said Jeff, a 1986 graduate of Crittenden County High School.

“I’ve always loved sports,” Misty adds. “I played softball and basketball since the age of five. I’ve always wanted to continue to be involved in basketball even after my career of basketball was over. I umpired some when I was in high school with little league in Livingston. I’ve been a player, coach, sports mom and now a high school official. I’ve seen all sides.”

Her husband, who had been in officiating for many years and has called high school state championship  games, encouraged Misty to get involved.

Last year, the couple was on the floor at the same time officiating a regional tournament in the First Region.

“We enjoy sports and officiating allows us to spend time together while enjoying a hobby. We get into discussions of rules and game situations which makes us better at what we do,” said Jeff. “We get to call some games together and when we do we treat each other just like another official, not as a married couple. A highlight of our officiating career was when Misty got to officiate her first high school ... for the rest of this article see the November 25, 2021 full edition of The Crittenden Press.

Friday, November 26, 2021

Win $100 Saturday morning in Marion

With the mission of supporting and promoting the Shop Local First mantra, Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce has organized a Small Business Saturday promotion for this week.

Merchants throughout town will be open starting early Saturday morning and the Chamber will be handing out “goodie bags” starting at 9 a.m., at the Farmers Bank Parking Lot behind Marion City Hall. Due to the pandemic, participants will not have to leave their cars. 

Inside those bags are countless savings and other values. One bag will include a voucher for $100 cash and there will be premium prizes in many more bags. Premium prizes can be redeemed at the Marion Welcome Center.

While the overall motive is to get people to shop with area merchants this holiday season, it’s also a

Thursday, November 25, 2021

H&H reveals Black Friday deals

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H&H Home & Hardware has Black Friday deals you don't want to miss.

A host of home and industrial products are on sale Friday, from power tools to Pyrex.

Buy select Milwaukee power tools and get one free! 

Sleds for kids, bird seeds for ornithologists and other deals await. 

Stop by H&H in Marion and get shopping!

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Ohio River dock at Riverview still not open

Further complications in completing installation of a boat dock at Riverview Park on the Ohio River is creating another delay in opening of the pier for public use.

Judge-Executive Perry Newcom lamented the latest delays, the last in a series of stumbling blocks over the past few years. Duck season and early winter fishing are creating a demand for its use. Although it’s in the water, Newcom said the dock is not properly installed and unsafe for use due to some fabrication issues.

Newcom said the installation company out of Paducah is scheduled to be at the river Monday to complete installation of the walkway to the pier. 

True Value plans Small Business event

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Marion True Value is celebrating the Christmas shopping season with drawings, a Christmas activity for children and free coffee for shoppers.

On Small Business Saturday, the Sturgis Road hardware store will help families get into the holiday shopping spirit early – beginning at 8 a.m.

Register to win gift cards drawn throughout the day, and bring the kids to decorate Christmas gift bags with the help of the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum staff.

A Shop with a Cop event will conclude festivities at 12:30 p.m.

For more information, stop by and get more details.



Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Law enforcement working two accidents

While Crittenden County law enforcement officers were on the scene of a minor traffic accident on U.S. 60 West, city officers were dispatched to a separate accident on Sturgis Road in front of Food Giant.

Two vehicles involved in the first crash caused traffic congestion on U.S. 60 near the intersection of Airport Road around 4 p.m., Tuesday. At about 4:25 p.m., the crash on the north side of town required Crittenden EMS where a car rear-ended a pickup at the entrance of Darben Plaza.


New 55mph signs going up on I-24

 Motorists and truckers traveling Interstate 24 westbound in the immediate Paducah area should be alert for a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet sign crew placing additional 55 mile per hour speed limit signs in the median from the 8 mile marker to the 2 mile marker today.

The crew will be working along the westbound lanes in the median for about four hours starting at 9 a.m., today.  While there will be no lane restriction, motorists are asked to reduce their driving speed and move over when they encounter this sign crew.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) reduced the westbound speed limit from 65 to 55 miles

Monday, November 22, 2021

Holidays roll into town this week

Getting your Thanksgiving week started, The Press has lots of coverage of events and activities that are going on in the community. This week's newspaper will get you caught up on details for Small Business Saturday coming up this weekend. 

Also, we continue to track election filings where some races are beginning bloom in the county and in the Fourth House District where Fredonia's Kristopher Driver is challenging incumbent Rep. Lynn Bechler. In this week's edition we will have details on all the latest candidate filings and some that are anticipated. 

The new dock at Riverview Park has hit another snag. We will update you on that project and take a look at the latest news from the Board of Education's plans to build a new school and fight COVID in classrooms. 

On the eve of basketball season, The Press will produce its Rockets and Lady Rockets Season Outlook special section.

The Crittenden Press is your primary source of news and information for this community. We’re proud to serve our community and we take great pride in bringing you real news, sports reporting and other information that helps you know what’s going on in town and across the county. Help ensure that real reporting continues in this community by subscribing today. You can subscribe online to the full version of the newspaper for only $2.95 a month. Try out new e-Edition newspaper emailed straight to your inbox every Wednesday. Click here to subscribe.


Copyright 2021

The Crittenden Press


Visit Johnson's Online


Sunday, November 21, 2021

Increased vehicle value likely in 2022

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Crittenden County Clerk Daryl Tabor is providing consumer tips to help the community.

There are a number of transactions handled in the
clerk's office, and Tabor is sharing information about each of those in a helpful advertising series.

This week's tip deals with the increase in value of Kentucky automobiles beginning in 2022.

Friday, November 19, 2021

Check your health during National Diabetes Month

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It is always a good time to take a close examination of your health, but November is set aside to bring awareness to Prediabetes health.

Prediabetes affects 1 in 3 American adults. Untreated, Prediabetes can turn into Type 1 Diabetes.

Follow these tips from the Pennyrile District Health Department and national Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to keep your health in check.

1. Take Small Steps.

2. Move More

3 Choose healthier foods and drinks.

4. Lose weight and keep it off.

5. Seek help from doctors.

6. Stay up to date on vaccinations.



Lions Club building available for rentals

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The Lions Club building at the fairgrounds in Marion is available for a variety of rentals.

The building has hosted community dinners, parties, meetings, pageants and wedding receptions since it was constructed, and is available for rent for those and other purposes.

The building contains a spacious commercial kitchen.

If you are planning a special event this year, consider the Lions Club building. Rates vary. 

For more information, contact Natalie Parish. 

City moves to regulate mobile vendors

City leaders continue to move forward with plans to regulate to some degree an ever-growing segment of the local economy – mobile vendors.

A number of food trucks selling everything from tacos and hot dogs to lattes have begun operating here regularly in the past year or so.

Marion City Council has discussed proposed mobile vendor requirements for the past few months and earlier this week introduced a formal first reading of an ordinance aimed at regulating them. See the Nov. 18, 2021 full edition of The Crittenden Press for details. 

Visit Johnson's Online


Thursday, November 18, 2021

Basketball fans quench sweet-tooth Saturday


If you like basketball and cakes and pies, Saturday's events at Rocket Arena will be a perfect fit.

Crittenden County is hosting an all-day basketball scrimmage fest with teams from the area. Admission is free.

Saturday evening, the traditional Meet the Rockets and Lady Rockets event will officially kickoff the basketball season. This will include the ever-popular dessert auction. This event and auction is open to the public. 

Multi-Scrimmage Saturday

Saturday, Nov. 20

BOYS
At Rocket Arena
Crittenden vs Livingston, 9am
Livingston vs Trigg, 9:30am
Crittenden vs. Trigg, 10am
CCHS JV vs LCHS JV, 10:30am
LCHS JV vs TCHS JV, 10:45am
CCHS JV vs TCHS JV, 11am

GIRLS
At Rocket Arena
Crittenden vs Carlisle, 11:30am
Crittenden vs Caldwell, 12:05pm
Caldwell vs Murray, 12:40pm
Crittenden vs Murray, 1:15pm
Crittenden vs Hopkins Central, 1:50pm
At Middle School Gym
Murray vs Hopkins Central, 11:30am
Carlisle vs Murray, 12:05pm
Carlisle vs Hopkins Central, 12:40pm
Caldwell vs Hopkins Central, 1:15pm
Carlisle vs Caldwell, 1:50pm

Bingo, pool tournaments at Mulligans

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Looking for something fun to do in Marion?

How about a free game of Bingo at Mulligans Pizzeria & Pub?

Mulligans hosts Xtreme Bingo every Thursday night at 6. Jackpots increase weekly. 

Located at Marion Golf & Pool, Mulligans is open Thursday through Sunday.

If you prefer pool, get in on a tournament every Sunday beginning at 4 p.m.

Check the Events tab on the Mulligans Facebook page for scheduled live entertainment and food and drink specials.

Park restrooms, water off for season

Restrooms at Marion-Crittenden County Park have been winterized and closed for the season. Portable toilets are located at two places inside the park.

There is no running water available at the park for the winter.

Restrooms will be reopened in February. 

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Solar power generation might be coming to county

Can you feel the solar winds blowing in Crittenden County?

We're starting to.

Renewable energy companies are already permitted to build a couple of large solar farms near Fredonia in Lyon and Caldwell counties, and now they're looking in Crittenden.

In this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press we will get you up to date on what's happening in the community. Don't be the last to know, get your copy of the newspaper today.


The Crittenden Press is your primary source of news and information for this community. We’re proud to serve our community and we take great pride in bringing you real news, sports reporting and other information that helps you know what’s going on in town and across the county. Help ensure that real reporting continues in this community by subscribing today. You can subscribe online to the full version of the newspaper for only $2.95 a month. Try out new e-Edition newspaper emailed straight to your inbox every Wednesday. Click here to subscribe.


Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Leaf pick-up continues through Dec. 14

Leaf collection inside the City of Marion is in full swing.

For then next month, city street department employees will make their way through four quadrants vacuuming leaves in front of businesses and residences.

Leaves must be raked to the street.

Leaf collection will be suspended Nov. 25-26 during the Thanksgiving holiday and will resume Nov. 29.






Reminder: Vaccine available for 5-11 Thursday

Pediatric vaccine is now available at the Crittenden County Health Department and the four other health departments operated by Pennyrile Health District in Livingston, Caldwell and Trigg counties.

These are first-dose shots of Pfizer vaccine for ages 5-11. A followup dose will be due in three weeks once the first shot is administered. 

Appointments are available weekdays other than Wednesdays at the clinic in Marion. To make an appointment, call 270-965-5215. Walk-ins are not prohibited, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. The health department is open 8 a.m., to 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m., to 11:30 a.m., on Fridays.

The health department in Marion, which is located in Industrial Park South behind Siemens, will be open extended hours on Thursday, Nov. 18 specifically to accommodate children. The clinic will be open from 7 a.m., until 6 p.m., on that day so parents or guardians can bring their children before or after school or work. An appointment should be made ahead of time.

Pediatric shots contain a smaller dose of the vaccine than what adults receive, but the same ingredients. 

“We also use a smaller needle to help make the children as comfortable as possible,” said Grace Donaldson of the Pennyrile Health Department.

There is no charge for the vaccine and Donaldson said there are virtually no health conditions that would prevent a child from receiving a shot. A fact sheet is available at the clinic.

Monday, November 15, 2021

Marion Baptist supplying community Thanksgiving

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Marion Baptist Church will hold its annual community Thanksgiving meal Thursday, Nov. 25.

Format for this year's event again will be a drive-through carryout of box lunches.

The church conducts the Thanksgiving meal each fall, serving Thanksgiving favorites including turkey 
and dressing, vegetables and dessert.

The meal is free, and the deadline for placing an order is Nov. 19.


Deer season sputters open for most

Chad Copeland's buck

Despite relatively good weather, opening weekend of deer rifle season wasn't too good to Crittenden County hunters.

Fewer deer than are typically harvested on the first two days of modern gun season were checked over the weekend. However, one local hunter, Chad Copeland, bagged a buck of a lifetime. 

Read more about Copeland's big buck, what experts think Chronic Wasting Disease is going to mean for area hunters, lessors and landowners, and get details on local deer harvest figures in this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press. 

Subscribe today so you never miss out of important local news, sports and outdoors. You might want to try the new eMail edition of The Press. It's all available HERE.

Dentist will visit CCMS next month

Crittenden County Middle School will have a visiting dentist to serve students Dec. 14-16. If your student is interested in seeing the dentist, have the student pick up a dental form in the middle school office or go online to MySchoolDentist.com.  

Parents or guardians should complete the form and sign it. If this form is missing any information, a representative from the Big Smiles program will contact you. 

Big Smiles and Crittenden County Schools will be following CDC and Healthy at School protocols to ensure student and staff health and safety.

The application is due by Dec. 1 at the middle school office. Call (270) 965-5221 for more information.

Friday, November 12, 2021

Legion hosts Thanksgiving meal Sunday

 American Legion Post 217 and its Ladies Auxiliary are hosting their Thanksgiving meal Sunday, Nov. 14 at the legion hall in Burna. Serving will be between 11:30 a.m., to 1:30 p.m..  

Cost of meal is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. The post is located beside Livingston Middle school.  

Call ahead to have carryout meals ready (270-988-4587).   

The post encourages everyone to bring their church friends and enjoy a meal.  

“Be sure to thank a veteran while you are there,” said volunteer Faye Gibson adds.

The group has been hosting this fundraising event since 1958. Proceeds benefit area veterans. 


Buntin auction service holding sale Nov. 20

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Buntin Auction Service is selling the personal property of Lori Robertson Nov. 20.

This sale is a perfect starting point for individuals looking to invest in equine equipment or people looking for related farm supplies.

Lots of household furniture, cabinets, appliances and some antiques are featured in this sale, which will begin at 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 20 at 19 SR 855 South near Marion.

See a complete list of items to be sold by auctioneer Curt Buntin.



These two men earned Bronze Stars in Vietnam


Don't miss our article on two local wartime heroes who were decorated by the U.S. Army – Dr. Steve Crider and David LaNeave. 

One returned home to become a community dentist and the other a pastor.

You can read the full article in The Crittenden Press and listen to the podcast online.

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Big Buck Contest underway, enter at Hodge's

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Killing the county's biggest buck will earn one lucky hunter $1,000.

Crittenden County's annual Big Buck Contest is underway. Enter before you kill a deer and have a chance at a $1,000 cash jackpot.

The event, held in conjunction with deer season each fall, is sponsored by the City of Marion Tourism Commission and Hodge's Sports & Apparel on Sturgis Road.

Proceeds from the event are given to Crittenden County's charitable Christmas event, Community Christmas.

Enter today at Hodge's.



REMINDER: Local veterans service at school

Listen to Our Podcast with
two Crittenden County veterans

Crittenden County School District is hosting its annual Veterans Day program at 9 a.m., Thursday at Rocket Arena. 

Masking is not required as long as individuals are seated at least 3 feet apart.  

This is the only organized Veterans Day event in the community.

The event is open to the public and veterans are encouraged to attend and participate. 

Outdoor degree programs at SIC

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Looking for a career in the outdoors? Consider two programs at Southeastern Illinois College.

Southeastern Illinois College offers Outfitter 
Wildlife Management and Outdoor Recreation 
programs ideal to prepare students for jobs in commercial hunting, fishing and the outdoor 
recreation industry.

Learn more online at sic.edu/outdoor or email cte.recruiter@sic.edu.



Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Basketball season tickets on sale

Buy Now

Season tickets for Crittenden County High School boys' and girls' basketball are on sale now for $38.

These are general admission seats and not chair-backed seating. Those have already been sold out.

Tickets are available HERE or anytime at TicketLeap.

Coon Dog Inn open for breakfast, lunch

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Hungry for some home cooking?

Stop by the Coon Dog Inn in Fredonia.

The Coon Dog Inn is the gathering place in the 
Fredonia Valley during breakfast and lunchtime.

The restaurant, located on Cassidy Avenue in 
Fredonia, is open Monday through Saturday 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. It is no longer open on Friday 
nights.




Authorities looking for hit-and-run suspect

Crittenden County law enforcement is looking for Curtis Smith, 33, a local man who fled the scene of an automobile crash on U.S. 60 West last week near Moore Hill.

Deputy Ray Agent says Smith was involved in a three-vehicle crash near the intersection of KY 2132 and KY 297. Smith was driving westbound in a Dodge Stratus and attempting to pass a vehicle when he encountered stalled traffic ahead due to farm equipment being moved along the highway. Smith tried to re-enter his lane of travel but hit a car in the rear, then crossed into the oncoming lane and hit another head on.

Agent said individuals in the other vehicles involved in the crash sought medical treatment. None of them were serious enough to require a hospital stay.

The deputy believes Smith was also injured in the crash. Witnesses told investigators that Smith got something out his vehicle, wrapped it in a garment and fled into the forest south of the highway. Agent said tracking dogs were brought to the scene, but Smith was never located. He believes the suspect may have been picked up somewhere nearby.

A warrant for misdemeanor of leaving the scene of an accident has been issued for Smith. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the sheriff’s department at (270) 965-3400. You may remain anonymous.

Hot Diggity Dog, Frazer Law to honor veterans

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Hot Diggity Dog and Frazer Law Office are honoring U.S. military veterans Thursday Nov. 11.

Between 3-5 p.m., the two Marion businesses welcome community members stop by Frazer Law on Main Street in Marion and show their support for veterans. 

A hot dog and drink will be served to all while tokens of appreciation will be given to service members.

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Vaccine for ages 5-11 available at health department

Pediatric vaccine is now available at the Crittenden County Health Department and the four other health departments operated by Pennyrile Health District in Livingston, Caldwell and Trigg counties.

These are first-dose shots of Pfizer vaccine for ages 5-11. A followup dose will be due in three weeks once the first shot is administered. 

Appointments are available weekdays other than Wednesdays at the clinic in Marion. To make an appointment, call 270-965-5215. Walk-ins are not prohibited, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. The health department is open 8 a.m., to 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m., to 11:30 a.m., on Fridays.

The health department in Marion, which is located in Industrial Park South behind Siemens, will be open extended hours on Thursday, Nov. 18 specifically to accommodate children. The clinic will be open from 7 a.m., until 6 p.m., on that day so parents or guardians can bring their children before or after school or work. An appointment should be made ahead of time.

Pediatric shots contain a smaller dose of the vaccine than what adults receive, but the same ingredients. 

“We also use a smaller needle to help make the children as comfortable as possible,” said Grace Donaldson of the Pennyrile Health Department.

There is no charge for the vaccine and Donaldson said there are virtually no health conditions that would prevent a child from receiving a shot. A fact sheet is available at the clinic.

Cecil Croft road temporarily closed today

UPDATE 2: The road was reopened Wednesday afternoon.

UPDATE: Due to circumstances at the work site, the job will take longer than anticipated. The road will remain to through traffic overnight and into tomorrow until the project can be completed.

ORIGINAL POST Cecil Croft Road in the western part of Crittenden County will be closed today until approximately 4 p.m.  

This closure will affect through-traffic only and will occur at near the 0.9 to the 1.10 mile point just west of SR 723 S. The work to be done is a base failure repair in preparations for received new asphalt to this area.


Monday, November 8, 2021

Veterans program at school Thursday

Crittenden County School District’s Heart to Heart Center is hosting its annual Veterans Day program at 9 a.m., Thursday at Rocket Arena. 

Masking is not required as long as individuals are seated at least 3 feet apart.  

The event is open to the public and veterans are encouraged to attend and participate. For more information, call 270-965-3525.


Bowtanicals open house is Nov. 12-13

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It's time for Bowtanicals' annual Christmas open house.

The flower and gift shop with locations in Marion and Salem will celebrate the start of the Christmas season from 5-7 p.m., Nov. 12 and from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 13.

Discounts on in-store purchases will be honored at both stores.

Stop by and shop at either location as Bowtanicals ushers in the Christmas season.

H&R Block franchisees earn national recognition

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A Marion business has been recognized as a top 25 performer. 

Jennifer and Travis Reckinger, owners of the H&R Block franchise in Marion, were named as a top 25 franchise during a recent evaluation of H&R Block offices.

The Reckingers own offices in Marion, Providence and Morganfield in Kentucky and Rosiclare, Illinois.

They say their employees helped them achieve this milestone 
and thank them for their commitment to the company.

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Mask policy eases at schools starting Monday

Crittenden County schools will modify their masking policy starting Monday due to a drop in the number of COVID-19 cases in the community. According to policy developed earlier this year, students will not have to wear masks throughout the day because the county is no longer in the state's so-called Red Zone. There are periods, however, when masks will be required such as while students are moving between classes. They are also required on buses per federal guidelines. 

The following is a message sent to parents and guardians by the school district:

Rocket Families, our seven day rolling average incidence rate yesterday was 22.7 (Orange). Therefore, by BOE order, we will mask while moving inside our buildings next week. Masks are encouraged and recommended inside our buildings next week; however, they will be optional when seated at least 3 feet apart. Per federal order, masks are required on school buses.

We will continue our Healthy At School practices, including contact tracing, quarantining, test to stay, extra cleaning/sanitizing, and social distancing. We also encourage parents to keep their children home when they are symptomatic. We appreciate everyone's cooperation while we protect our in-person learning option for all students.

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Marion EV charging station gets steady use

This electric vehicle with a McCracken County
 license plate was juicing up last week at 
the Marion EV charging station 
behind the Farmers Market, next to 
McDonald’s Restaurant.
Kentucky ranks among the worst places in the country to own an electric vehicle, according to a new study by  Jerry Services Inc., an American company that operates the Jerry mobile app offering vehicle and home insurance comparisons, among other services. 

Kentucky ranked as the second worst state for EV owners. The company based its research on three factors: EV charging port density, gas savings and government incentives. 

Marion is one of a handful of area towns that has a charging station for battery-driven automobiles. It’s behind the Farmers Market and there is no cost to use it. The station gets steady use. Kuttawa, Princeton and Grand Rivers also have charging stations. 

In Kentucky, there are only nine charging ports for every 100,000 people, and the state doesn’t offer incentives for EV drivers like others do, Jerry’s news release said.

The top three states to own an EV are Massachusetts, Vermont and California, where drivers can save up to $8,000 by switching to EVs with financial incentives offered by their local governments.

Among other worst EV owning states are Louisiana at No. 1 and Idaho at No. 3.

Friday, November 5, 2021

Cook, longtime magistrate, dies

Longtime community leader Percy Cook, 90, died Friday afternoon in an Evansville hospital.

Cook served for 21 years as a county magistrate from the Fourth District, a northern section of Crittenden County, where he had lived on the family farm for decades. 

First elected to the Crittenden County Fiscal Court in 1993, Cook completed his final term as magistrate in 2014.

He suffered a broken hip in a fall at the courthouse a couple of weeks ago. Friends said he developed pneumonia after hip surgery and passed away late Friday afternoon.

The Press will have a complete obituary in next week's newspaper. 



Rosebud congregants fundraising to buy church

A small congregation at Rosebud Church hopes that a gospel singing and fundraiser this weekend will help it generate money they need to buy the church building.

Formerly a Methodist congregation, the church has been shuttered a couple of times over the last several decades, but was re-opened in 2018 as a non-denominational church. Since then, services have been held there regularly. 

A singing and bake sale featuring The Hatfield Family and other gospel groups from the Calvert City area will be held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5-6. The congregation is also cooking whole hams and Boston butts for $45 each. Love offerings will be taken each day.

To make a donation, contact pastor Jeff Brasher at (270) 210-2301.

See The Crittenden Press full edition this week for a more detailed article on Rosebud Church.


Thursday, November 4, 2021

KB Pharmacy celebrates 10 years in business

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KB Pharmacy in Marion is celebrating 10 years in business.

Owners Mike Keller and Bradley Boone thank members of the community for their support of the Main Street pharmacy during its first decade in operation.

KB is a full-service pharmacy located on South Main Street in 
Marion and features Marion's only drive-up window for 
prescription access. 



Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Eight candidates out of the chute early

Candidate registration is open through Jan. 7
On the first day to formalize candidacy for local public office, eight individuals filed today to run in the 2022 elections. 

Everyone who filed today did so as a member of the Republican party.

Three will seek to return to the office they currently hold. Those are marked with an asterisk. The others are challengers in their respective races.

The 2022 primary election is set for May 17 and the general election will be on Nov. 8.

Filing were the following:

  • Daryl Tabor for County Clerk*
  • Robbie Kirk for 4th District Magistrate
  • Dave Belt for 1st District Magistrate*
  • Chuck Hoover for Sheriff
  • Heath Martin for Sheriff
  • Bart Frazer for county attorney
  • Perry Newcom for Judge-Executive*
  • Dale Willingham for 5th District Magistrate 

 

A few spots left for Outlaw Tours

Maps of the Outlaw Trail are available at
Crittenden County Public Library.
Excitement is building for this weekend’s highly-anticipated climax to the Ferry Tales history series as two driving tours on Friday and Saturday may help answer questions and perhaps shed newfound light on some of the heralded river pirate stories from a bygone era.

A number of books and a History Channel documentary have been among the envoys of stories from pioneer western Kentucky and southern Illinois that paint a dark and dangerous passage from the developed Eastern Seaboard to the frontier of early America. Grants from Kentucky and Illinois humanities councils and local efforts by historical societies, tourism agencies and the Crittenden County Public Library have made possible a three-month program aimed at revisiting tales of outlaws, murderous Harps and the fundamental role of our Ohio River in Manifest Destiny’s western expansion and industry.

The tour will leave Marion mid morning both days and will wind its way through rural Crittenden County and southern Illinois well into the evening hours. There will be various stops at places of historic interest, some typically not open to the public. Tours require registration as space is limited. As of early this week there were four spots open for Friday's tour and one for Saturday. Contact the Crittenden County Public Library to register. Call 270-965-3354. There is no charge for this tour. Funding has been provided by the Kentucky Local History Trust and Illinois Humanities for all Ferry Tales programming. The Ohio River Outlaw Trail map has been generously funded by the Marion, Ky., Tourism, Convention and Recreation Bureau and the Hardin County, Ill., Tourism Board

“We are really excited about the interest that Ferry Tales has generated,” said Librarian Brandie Ledford, who has been instrumental in getting the project going along with other local organizers such as historians Brenda Underdown and Brennan Cruce of Marion and Todd Carr of Hardin County, Ill.

Ledford says that much of legendary history is folklore, some of it solid myth and part of it true. 

“A lot of people just didn’t know ... for the rest of this article, see this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press, which is available in print form or electronically online. Go Here to Subscribe.


Healing service Friday night in Salem

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A service in Salem Friday night is designed to relieve attendees from all that ails them.

Healing Words Ministries is hosting a healing service at 6:30 p.m., Friday.

Organizers say the service will deliver individuals from the suffering caused by heart disease, cancer, anxiety and other health diagnoses.

For more information, contact Healing Word Ministries.

Clerk adjusts office hours in November

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The Crittenden County Clerk's office will have changes to its hours of operation this month.

County Clerk Daryl Tabor said the office will be open Saturday, Nov. 6 from 8 a.m.-noon to accommodate members of the public, since the office will be closed a couple of days next week.

The office will be closed Nov. 10-11 and again Nov. 25-26.

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Library seeks public input for library plan

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An event to gather input from the public about programming at the Crittenden County Public Library will be held at 2 p.m., Nov. 9.

The board of trustees overseeing the library is hosting a Walk & Talk at Marion City-County Park, inviting members of the public to help develop a strategic plan.

The Nov. 9 Walk & Talk Community Conversation is the second in a series of two events to assist the library board in developing its programming for the coming years.


Community Christmas registration opens Friday

Registration for the 2021 Community Christmas charitable event begins late this week.

Registration is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 5 at the Crittenden County Extension Annex on U.S. 60 East. 

Eligibility rules require participants to attend three community education classes. The Crittenden County Interagency Council, which coordinates the event, plans to add additional classes and voted Oct. 21 to allow attendance at a rehabilitation or similar community-based program to count for credit. 

Classes must be completed by 5 p.m., Nov. 19. 

Some upcoming class opportunities include the following: 

•Nov. 4, 10 a.m. Germ Prevention presented by Anthem Medicaid at the Crittenden County Public Library.

•Nov. 9, 10 a.m. Oral Health presented by Anthem Medicaid at the library

•Nov. 9, 5:30 p.m. CPR Training hosted by the after-school program at the Crittenden County High School Library.

•Money Habitudes Online Program. Login information is available from the Crittenden County Extension Office. Proof of completion must be submitted to the Extension Office for a signature. 

Volunteers are being scheduled between 9 a.m.-4 p.m., an organizational day Dec. 16 at Marion Baptist Church and for distribution between 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 16 and 9 a.m.-noon, Friday, Dec. 17. 

Teen volunteers are not being utilized this year.

Where's Lunch Today?


Monday, November 1, 2021

PODCAST: Outlaw Tour and Library Walk and Talk

Listen Now - Click Here

Join us on this visit to the meeting room at Crittenden County Public Library with Librarian Brandie Ledford, who talks about this weekend's River Outlaw Tour, which is the final program and perhaps the climax of a three-month-long Ferry Tales series. Listen Here.

Ledford also explains how the library is seeking public input to help it develop a strategic plan for long- and short-term planning. You can join the Walk and Talk at the park or other information-gathering events coming up at your library. 

Read more about these programs, and a get the official River Outlaw Tour Map in this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press. 

Junior Pro Jamboree this weekend at Sturgis

West Kentucky Junior Pro Football League will hold its annual post-season playoffs Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 6-7, at Sturgis. The cheerleading showcase will be hled at 3:30pm on Sunday. Here are brackets for the football jamboree:

3-4 Grade Division
Saturday, 9am

4) Webster Co. vs 5) Crittenden Co.
Saturday 3pm
1) Caldwell Co. vs Crittenden/Webster
Saturday, noon
3) Union County vs 2) Trigg County
Sunday, 2pm
3-4 Championship

5-6 Grade Division
Saturday, 10:30am

4) Trigg County vs 5) Caldwell County
Saturday, 1:30pm
3) Crittenden Co. vs Webster County
Saturday, 4:30pm
1) Union County vs Trigg/Caldwell
Sunday 5pm
5-6 Championship