BREAKING NEWS: Lake George Being Emptied

The Crittenden Press Copyright 2022

Community leaders say that although the plan has changed, everything is going as planned at Lake George.

A leak in the levee at the 65-acre lake – the City of Marion’s raw water source and home to fish, wildlife and other natural resources – has prompted its complete draw down.

City officials noticed that the levee was leaking on Wednesday and when inspectors took a closer look they found a hole about halfway up the levee that was growing by the hour. It began to enlarge exponentially late Friday, triggering an emergency response to prevent the levee from failing and creating downstream flooding on Crooked Creek, which rises just above the lake and meanders northward before emptying into the Ohio River at Old Fords Ferry.

A decision was made to empty the lake. The levee will have to be completely rebuilt, local officials say. County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom has issued a State of Emergency which should lead to state and perhaps federal financial assistance. 

After dark on Friday local fire departments brought their pumper trucks to the lake and two 4,000-gallon-per-minute pumps were trucked in from outside the county to begin emptying the lake into Crooked Creek. However, the draw-down was taking far too long so officials asked Jared Belt of Belt Construction, a local excavating company, to bring a track hoe to the lake. 

“We had to get the water out quicker,” Emergency Management Director Jason Hurley said, pointing to fears that the levee might break. “We made a decision to cut a relief ditch in order to control the flow.”

“At this point everything is going as planned,” Hurley said. 

Monitors are keeping a close eye on the volume of water being released from the lake into Crooked Creek. They are closely watching bridges on Chapel Hill Road, U.S. 60 West, KY 91 North, Fords Ferry Road and others that cross the now swiftly-running creek. The controlled release of water from the lake should not create any problems downstream, Hurley said.

The lake contains about 182 million gallons of water and it will take more than a week to drain it, Hurley said.

Officials from the Kentucky Division of Water, EPA and state dam and levee inspectors were on scene to consult and oversee the process.

Lake George was built 1954. In addition to being the city’s primary source of raw water – which is purified at the nearby water treatment plant – the reservoir and its surroundings are a recreational area used by fishermen, naturalists and picnickers. 

City Administrator Adam Ledford has said that Marion has Old City Lake as a backup for raw water and the Crittenden-Livingston Water District can supplement the city’s drinking water distribution system. As of Saturday, there had been no order for customers to reduce water usage.

It will likely take several months for the levee to be repaired and longer for the lake to refill and recover. Its fishery resources could take a generation or longer to recuperate.

H&H Home and Hardware Mother's Day Sale

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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. 

Lake George Levee leaking; caution urged

Emergency Management personnel along with City of Marion officials, Kentucky Division of Water inspectors and Crittenden County leaders are at Lake George in Marion monitoring a leak in the lake’s levee.

Lake George, also known as City Lake, is the source of the town’s raw water which is treated at the nearby water plant before being distributed to Marion customers. Lake George is a watershed reservoir of about 65 acres.

The hole eroding in the levee at Lake George
is growing by the hour. This photo was taken
about 2 hours before dusk.

The bridge near the city water plant on Chapel Hill Road has been closed to traffic and Emergency Management Director Jason Hurley said other bridges that cross Crooked Creek from Lake George to the Ohio River will be monitored as experts begin a controlled release of water from the lake using large pumps. That process, with help from two 4,000-gallon-per-minute diesels pumps that are being delivered to Marion, will begin tonight.

City officials say there is no immediate threat to the drinking water in Marion and they are not issuing any sort of rationing notice at this time.

Of concern, however, is anything in the path of the water should the levee fail. 

City officials noticed a leak Wednesday at the base of the levee, triggering an inspection by state officials. A hole was discovered about halfway up the levee, and it has grown exponentially over the evening hours Friday.

City fire trucks began pumping 
water from the lake late Friday.

One resident in the low-lying area near the water plant has been advised that evacuation is recommended. Officials are also warning others along the path of Crooked Creek to be aware of the potential for rising waters and perhaps acute flooding should the levee break.

The city has some redundancy in its water supply with Old City Lake being a source of raw water and the Crittenden-Livingston Water District has been notified that Marion may need its help should long-term issues arise from this situation. The city has filled its water tank on Moore Hill and is currently filling tanks at the water plant, which gives Marion more than two days supply of drinking water.

“Signs of deterioration were noticed about 6:15 p.m., tonight,” City Administrator Adam Ledford said. “We have begun organizing our response and as of right now we are not issuing a restriction on water consumption or usage.”

Precautions should be exercised for anyone, including livestock or other assets, in low-lying areas along Crooked Crook from Marion to the mouth of the creek at the Ohio River at Old Fords Ferry. 

Bridges that could be affected by high water from controlled discharges or in the case of a levee failure are on U.S. 60 just west of town at Marion Hardwoods and the KY 91 North bridge that is currently being replaced at the north edge of Marion.

At 11pm, Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom issued a State of Emergency for the community, which will allow emergency personnel to access more state and federal resources if necessary. 

City of Marion and Crittenden County fire trucks were dispatched to Lake George late Friday night to begin pumping water from the reservoir.

Stay tuned to The Crittenden Press for further updates as they are available.

This article was updated at 11:15pm with new information about the State of Emergency being issued and fire departments' response at Lake George.  

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Perryman seeks Crittenden PVA post

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Crittenden County resident Todd Perryman is seeking the position of PVA in the May 17 primary election.

The PVA position is on the ballot to replace retiring PVA Ronnie Heady.

Perryman has 11 years experience in banking, eight of which he has worked in the loan department. 

He is a lifelong resident of Crittenden County who also has served as a magistrate on the Crittenden County Fiscal Court. He has served on the PVA Board of Assessment Appeals.

Through his professional experience, he is knowledgeable of real estate transactions and property values in Crittenden County.

May primary voting options outlined

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There are several options available to Crittenden County voters leading up to the May 17 primary election.

In addition to in-person voting on Election Day, May 17, voters can vote early May 12-14 and in-person absentee May 4-11.

Mail-in absentee ballots are available as well.
There are five polling places on May 17, including Marion Baptist Church where voters from any precinct may cast a ballot. Other voting places are Mattoon and Shady Grover volunteer fire departments and Deer Creek and Mexico Baptist churches.

If you have questions, call the Crittenden County Clerk's Office at (270) 965-3403.

Backroads for quilts, gardens and more!

 

See this week's full edition of our newspaper

for details about this weekend's BackRoads Tour

May primary voting dates announced

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Crittenden County residents who wish to mail in ballots for the May 17 primary election must request ballots by May 3. Mail-in ballots cannot be requested after this date.

Absentee voting will be offered in the Crittenden County Clerk's Office May 4-6 and May 9-11.

An additional voting opportunity will be offered May 12-14. 

Polling places will be open from 6 a.m.-6 p.m., May 17.

Jones joins Family Practice team

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Family Practice Clinic welcomes Beverly Jones, APRN.

Jones will begin seeing patients in Marion May 10. Soon Jones will see patients at a new clinic operated by Crittenden Hospital in Fredonia.

Jones is a respected nurse practitioner who is certified in family and women's health, and has experience in providing care to people of all ages.

Call today to make an appointment, (270) 965-5238.

Library book sale begins April 28

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The spring book sale at Crittenden County Public Library will be held April 29-30 and May 2-5.

Friends of the Crittenden County Public Library are eligible for the preview day April 28.

Stop by and shop for books and baked goods during the Friends bake sale.

County roads affected by high water

Three roads in rural Crittenden County are currently being affected by high water on the Tradewater River and its tributaries. 

Cool Springs Road, Providence Road and Enon Church Road are covered in water at the typical low-lying points. All of those roads are in the easter quadrant of the county. 

 

Bright Life Farm in running for $25K grant

Communities across the United States answered the call from State Farm® to submit causes that would make a positive impact in their neighborhoods. Now a Princeton cause needs your help by voting for them and encouraging others to vote to bring money to their communities.

From April 27 through May 6, U.S. residents who are 18 and older with a valid email address can vote for their favorite cause at www.neighborhoodassist.com to help bring a $25,000 grant to each of the top 100 vote-getters.

Four thousand submissions were received through State Farm Neighborhood Assist, a crowd-sourced philanthropic program that empowers communities to identify issues in their neighborhoods. The State Farm Review Committee selected the top 200 finalists.

Bright Life Farms near Fredonia is among the finalists. 

The top 100 vote-receiving causes will be announced on the company’s Founder’s Day on Tuesday, June 7 at www.neighborhoodassist.com, and a $25,000 grant will be awarded to each of the affiliated nonprofits.

UK wants ticks you pull off body

Ten percent of ticks carry debilitating diseases; quick action can prevent them, and the University of Kentucky wants you to send in your ticks.

Ticks are a threat in Kentucky year-round, but especially in warm months. The next time one bites you, stop and think before flushing it down the toilet. You could help other people by mailing it to the University of Kentucky entomology department to see if it carries disease or not. 

Here's how: If you find a tick on yourself or your pet, remove it with tweezers, place it in alcohol in a sealed container or bag, and mail it to the university's entomology department. Those are the instructions Professor Reddy Palli ... Read the rest of this article for free at KY Health News.

Final candidate forum April 28

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The final Meet the Candidates event in Crittenden County will be held Thursday, April 28 at the Crittenden County Lions Club building. 

Judge-Executive Perry Newcom has coordinated the events which give candidates the opportunity to share their message with voters.

Similar events have been held at various sites throughout the county.

GOP to host debate with music, meal

Crittenden County’s Republican Party is planning to host a debate for GOP candidates participating in countywide elections in the May primary. That will include candidates running for PVA, county clerk, sheriff and jailer. 

The event, dubbed Face Off at Fohs: Bluegrass and Barbecue, will be on Tuesday, May 10. 

GOP candidates for magistrate and constable will be able to have a booth at the event, but will not be on stage. 

Pre-arranged questions will be provided to debating candidates ahead of time so they can prepare responses. There will be three questions for each candidate, one of them will not be provided in advance and will require an extemporaneous response. 

Admission will be charged. A barbecue meal will be available and live music by Kings Highway will be included in the price for those who want the entire package. Admission to the debate only will also be available. Fohs Hall doors will open at 4:30 p.m., and the debate will begin at 6 p.m., following the meal and music. 

Paint package offered at True Value

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Clark's Marion True Value is combining Hometown Spirit Day with a special gift promotion for Mom.

Wear your Rocket attire on April 29-30 and receive a paint package to help Mom spruce up the room of her choice for Mother's Day.

The paint package includes a gallon of premium True Value paint in the color of your choice and a paint brush, roller and tray.

Stop by and see the new centerpiece of the True Value floor, a CC Rocket logo painted by local artist Megan Chambliss Jackson.

Fohs Hall available for rentals

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Once a school, historic Fohs Hall is an ideal location for your next event.

Available as a rental for parties, weddings, receptions and concerts, the building recently received a sound and light upgrade that further
improved its value as a cultural arts center.

Next week Fohs Hall will host a children's production featuring
local youth.

Visit the new Fohs Hall website, fohshall.org.

Finalists for school superintendent announced

Crittenden County Board of Education’s Superintendent Search Committee has reviewed 11 applications for the superintendent’s post which will be vacant at the end of June. 

The committee has defined a list of four finalists. They are Tonya Driver, who is assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment at Crittenden County; Stephen Ely, who currently lives in Montana but has experience in Kentucky education; John Gunn, currently principal at Hopkinsville High School; and Karen Solise, assistant superintendent and director of curriculum and instruction at Trigg County. 

Each candidate will have a tour of the district’s campuses and facilities, a public reception, dinner with board of education members and an interview with the board. A decision on the next superintendent could be made by the first week of May.

Current Superintendent Vince Clark a few months ago announced his retirement effective June 30. Clark, who began as a teacher in 1991, has spent his entire career with the local school district, serving in a variety of capacities from coach to principal. He’s been superintendent for eight years.

Mott City Road House Fire

UPDATE

A woman was rescued from the home and taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. More in next week's newspaper. No one else was home at the time of the blaze.

ORIGINAL POST

Local firemen were on the scene of a house fire on Mott City Road this afternoon. The call came in shortly after 1pm.

The house is located on the west side of Mott City Road between Life in Christ Church and Jones' Pawn Shop.

No other details were immediately available. 

First United school's April partner

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First United Bank is proud to be the April Business Partner of the Month for the Crittenden County School District.

Business Partners of the Month contribute to the Rocket Foundation, which assists Crittenden County students with tuition for college courses and industry certifications, among other things.

First United Bank is donating $10 to the foundation for every new account it opens in April.

Homestead selling Jarvis Street home

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Homestead Auction Realty will conduct an auction April 28 in Marion.

Beginning at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 28, broker Darrin Tabor will entertain bids for a home at 230 Jarvis Street.

The house and lot can be inspected by contacting Tabor at (270) 704-0041.

Nan's now located at True Value

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Nan's Coffee & Tea Company has relocated and is under new management.

Nan's is now part of Clark's Marion True Value and is located on Sturgis Road.

Formerly owned by David and Becky Combs of Marion, the coffee trailer sells hot and cold coffees and teas and features weekly specials. 

Stop by and give it a try or make a return trip for your favorite pick-me-up.

Job Corps center seeking employees

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The Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center now has a $15 minimum wage.

The Union County center is seeking employees at a competitive salary with a benefits package and opportunities for advancement. 

View current job openings at mtcjobs.com.

Crash on Sturgis Road is blocking traffic in Marion

Sturgis Road in front of Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts in Marion is blocked by an overturned tractor-trailer

The crash is near the Fords Ferry Road and Mound Park Street intersections.

The truck was hauling crushed scrap cars that are scattered at the site.

The driver was transported by EMS to the emergency room at Crittenden Community Hospital.

Power poles and lines and cable television infrastructure were damaged by the crash.

Estimated duration for cleanup is four hours or more. 

The location of the crash does not provide many viable detour opportunities for trucks.

Interagency Council planning Christmas benefit

Anyone interested in being involved in the Community Christmas program should make plans to attend the Interagency Council meeting on at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, April 21 in Marion Baptist Church’s Family Life Center Conference room at Marion Baptist Church. 

The council organizes and orchestrates the annual Community Christmas program for families in need. The group plans mandatory educational programs for Community Christmas participants and it will set the dates for this year’s project. 

For more information, contact Julie Herrin at Marion Baptist Church 270-965-5232 or at jherrin@marionbaptist.church.

Injury accident on the south side of Marion

First responders were working a single-vehicle accident with multiple injuries just after 5:30pm on US 641 just south of Marion.

Alternating traffic was being moved through the crash site in the northbound lane. The southbound lane is closed at the wreck scene. 

No further details were immediately available. 

Sen. Howell: Final Regular Session Update

This week marked the official end of the 2022 Regular Session, the veto period and the two subsequent days for the General Assembly to override Governor Andy Beshear's vetoes. In addition to the overrides, we passed additional bills we anticipate the governor to sign into law.

With a supermajority in both chambers of the General Assembly, the Republican Party currently represents the conservative values of the majority of the commonwealth’s voting residents. Multitudes of vetoes from the Governor speak to social and cultural issues, but also to the commonwealth’s morality. These policy initiatives included pro-life measures, protecting the integrity of women’s sports, strengthened oversight of state government, and an improved education system offering greater opportunity and choice for students and families.

In the latest effort of the General Assembly to champion pro-life legislation and be a leading national voice for the voiceless, we passed House Bill 3, banning mail-order abortion-inducing pills and requiring a judicial review for all minors requesting an abortion. House Bill 3 also included language from Senate Bill 321 banning abortions after 15 weeks. The Governor chose to veto this pro-life bill, but fortunately we were able to override and enact the bill into law.

 It’s likely that allies of the Governor opposing Kentucky’s pro-life legislation will file a lawsuit against House Bill 3 as they have against past bills aiming to protect the unborn. A previously passed pro-life bill currently sits before the US Supreme Court and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, along with our large coalition of pro-life advocates, are eager to continue defending these measures with the potential of overturning Roe v. Wade.

 In addition to pro-life legislation, the Governor vetoed the Senate’s bill ensuring fairness in women’s athletics. Senate Bill 83 requires those competing in female-sanctioned sports must be biologically

Candidate meet and greet April 23

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An event April 23 has been designed as an opportunity to mingle with candidates and discuss issues relevant to offices on the ballot for the May Crittenden County primary.

Jailer candidate Athena Perry Hayes has coordinated the event. Twenty-one candidates have indicated they will attend. All candidates were invited.

Between 1-5 p.m., April 23, candidates will be available for the meet and greet at the Crittenden County Senior Citizens Center on Walker Street in Marion.

Rain creating havoc for outdoors sports

Already in April there has been more than four inches of rainfall in Crittenden County, according to the latest information by Kentucky Mesonet, which has a weather station near Mattoon. Some parts of the county have reportedly seen more rainfall.

The rains have created havoc for high school sports teams trying to get their games played at Marion-Crittenden County Park. The baseball team was able to play at doubleheader at home Saturday night, beating Dawson Springs twice as senior Maddox Carlson broke the Rockets' all-time RBI record. Read more about that in this week's newspaper.

Due to wet fields, the baseball and softball teams will be on the road tonight. The Rockets are at Hopkinsville to face University Heights in defense of their All A Second Region crown. This will be the semifinal round with the winner playing Lyon County tomorrow. The Lady Rockets were supposed to be at home tonight, but instead will play at Webster County which has a drier field.

Master Naturalist Training in Eddyville

 A Master Naturalist Training will be offered for the first time in western Kentucky. This is a volunteer training program. Participants receive 40 hours of natural resources training and are required to volunteer 40 hours with hours reported to the Kentucky Master Naturalist program. When both class hours and volunteer hours are completed then participants receive the title of Master Naturalist. Volunteer hours can be with organizations signed up with the University of Kentucky Master Naturalist Program. These organizations can include state parks, forestry service, The Kentucky Nature Preserve, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension and other natural resources organizations with volunteer programs. 

The program will be conducted over three weekends with class presentations and field trips. These will be on Friday evenings (3-9 p.m.) and all day on Saturdays (8 a.m., to 5:30 p.m.) for the weekends of May 13 and 14, Aug. 12 and 13 and Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Classes will be held at Kentucky Dam Village and there are quizzes over material covered. Class topics will include Ecoregions of Kentucky, Ecological Concepts, Citizen Science, Botany, Wildlife, Entomology, Water Resources, Geology, Archeology, Soils, Safety and Health, Environmental Ethics and Climate and Weather.

Field trips will include Land Between the Lakes Woodland Nature Station, Elk and Bison Prairie, Honker Lake (kayak/canoe), Mantle Rock, Ballard Wildlife Management Area and Wickliffe Mounds. There will be physical activity including hiking and an evening kayak. The Mantle Rock trail is considered moderate in difficulty with some steep terrain.

Applicants must complete a volunteer application form which includes references, a background check and driver’s license check. Cost of the program is $200 due with the application. For additional information call the Lyon County Extension Office at 270-388-2341.

Pre-school screenings begin next week

Crittenden County’s pre-school screenings will be held in Marion on Friday, April 22 and Thursday, May 5 by appointment. 

This screening is for children age 3 or 4 by Aug. 1. 

Contact the Crittenden County School District for an appointment with information about a time and place.

Local government closed for Good Friday

County offices at the Crittenden County Courthouse will be closed on Friday, April 15 in observance of Good Friday. 

This will include the road department on Sturgis Road. 

In addition to Friday, the animal shelter and convenience center will be closed to the public on Saturday. 

City hall will also be closed on Friday.

Tonight's Town Hall Meeting in Tolu

Tonight's Meet the Candidates forum will be held starting at 6pm in Tolu at the Community Center.

The Press will be providing Live Coverage of an event later this month at the Crittenden County Fairgrounds Agriculture Building. 

An article in this week's newspaper didn't make clear the date of the live coverage. It will be the April 28 forum, not this week's Town Hall Meeting.

Golf tournament at Marion's Heritage

Marion Golf and Pool at The Heritage will host an 18-hole 4-person scramble Saturday, April 23. 

Cost is $200 per team and there will be a 1 p.m., shotgun start. 

Call or text 270-969-4376 to enter.

Courthouse open tonight for storm shelter

UPDATED with timing of storm

With a high likelihood of severe weather this evening, local emergency management director Jason Hurley says the courthouse will be open for shelter.

The Carlisle Street entrance to the courthouse will be open.

 It appears the most severe weather will reach this area between 5-7 p.m.

WEATHER: Schools letting out at 2pm

Due to the threat of severe weather later today, Crittenden County Schools are dismissing early.

School will let out at 2pm to ensure student and staff safety. 

All after-school practices and activities are canceled.

US 60 work at Moore Hill delayed to Thursday

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has rescheduled a work zone lane restriction along U.S. 60 in the Moore Hill area of Crittenden County for Thursday, April 14.

This work zone will be near the Runyon Road and KY 297 intersections about 4 miles west of Marion and is to allow repairs to a cross drain. 

Motorists should be prepared to encounter one-lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers from approximately 7 a.m., to about 2 p.m., tomorrow.

Motorists who travel the highway between Marion and Salem should be alert for slow-moving and stopped traffic in the work zone.

Some minor delays are possible during the movement and placement of equipment to facilitate the work.  Appropriate caution is required where equipment, flaggers and maintenance personnel are along the roadway in close proximity to traffic flow.

This project was originally scheduled for Monday, but had to be delayed to Thursday due to weather conditions.

County roads under water and more rain coming

Three roads are closed in the eastern part of the county along the Tradewater River and its tributaries and more rain and perhaps severe storms are headed this way.

As of this morning, Blackburn Church Road, Enon Church Road, Providence Road and Cool Springs Road are under water.

Much of Kentucky could see severe weather today, beginning in the afternoon and continuing during the evening and overnight hours, according to the National Weather Service. Damaging winds of 60 to 80 miles per hour, large hail up to 2 inches, and strong tornadoes will all be possible with this system. Torrential rainfall with these thunderstorms may produce flash flooding, especially in portions of western Kentucky already drenched from two days of rainfall. 

Winds will be at 30-40 miles per hour first, followed by one line of showers and thunderstorms, which are not expected to be severe. That will be followed later by one or two more lines, which could contain severe weather will then move east, the NWS said.

The Storm Prediction Center has put out a moderate risk of severe weather for Wednesday across southern Illinois and the western part of Kentucky. In its crosshairs is the areas around Paducah, Land Between the Lakes and the bootheel of Missouri, down to Memphis and into Mississippi.

Strong, damaging winds will be the biggest threat, although there is also a threat of tornadoes.

Although it is not expected to be like December 10, a NWS spokesman said, "This is more of a linear aspect, although there is a greater threat this time of squall-line tornadoes, as well as big hail and flash flooding. We are not going to have discrete supercells forming in northeast Arkansas and going for 175 miles, although there is an isolated supercell threat.”

Foster seeks election as sheriff

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A 19-year Crittenden County law enforcement veteran asks for your vote in the May primary election.

George Foster has served in several law enforcement roles in Crittenden County and is seeking election as Crittenden County Sheriff.

Longtime sheriff Wayne Agent is not seeking re-election.

Foster humbly asks for your vote with a promise to be dedicated and professional if elected to serve this post.

Courthouse available as storm shelter Wednesday

Crittenden County Emergency Management director Jason Hurley said the Crittenden County Courthouse will be open as a shelter Wednesday afternoon and early evening.

Severe weather is forecast including the possibility of tornados, hail, flooding and high winds. 

The Carlisle Street entrance to the courthouse will be open for individuals who wish to access it as a shelter. 

The timing of this potential severe weather event is projected between 3-8 p.m., for our area, according to the NWS. Monitor local radars as the timing could shift in either direction.

Bowtanicals has spring open house this weekend

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Bowtanicals invites you to its spring open house  Friday and Saturday.

At Bowtanicals on Main Street in Marion on Friday and Saturday, enjoy sales, games, prizes and refreshments.

The Rural Route Bus will be on site for a women's boutique clothing experience.

Hours at Bowtanicals on Friday are 5-7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tax Returns Due April 18

Keep in mind that Tax Day is coming soon.

Federal tax returns are due April 18. 

For those who need more time, filing for an extension is simple, and it will give you until Oct. 17, 2022 to send your tax return to the IRS.

KSP looking for missing Webster teen

Kentucky State Police requests assistance in its on-going investigation to locate a missing juvenile from Webster County, who is believed to be a runaway.

Missing is 14-year-old Sydney Montgomery, of Dixon. She was last seen at her home at approximately 1 a.m., Wednesday, March 23.  

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Sydney Montgomery is urged to contact KSP at 1-270-676-3313 or toll-free in Kentucky, at 1-800-222-5555, or your local law enforcement agency.

City Hall closed for computer changer over

Marion City Hall will be upgrading its hardware and software at its administrative offices this week.

City hall will be closed Thursday, April 14 for the conversion.

US 60 one lane Monday near Moore Hill

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans a work zone lane restriction along US 60 in the Moore Hill area of Crittenden County on Monday, April 11.

This work zone will be near the Runyon Road intersection about four miles west of Marion and close to the KY 297 intersection. It is to allow repairs to a cross drain.

Motorists should be prepared to encounter one-lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers from approximately 7 a.m., to about 2 p.m.

Some minor delays are possible during the movement and placement of equipment to facilitate the work.  

This cross drain repair project is scheduled on a weather permitting basis.

Ferry closed due to high winds today

UPDATE Ferry is back open

ORIGINAL POST

 Cave In Rock Ferry has halted operation due to high winds.

The ferry halted service at 2:30 p.m. The ferry reports winds are out of the west at 23 miles per hour with gusts to 31.  

When the wind is out of the west or southwest it can interact with the current in the Ohio River to create choppy conditions.

The ferry operator will provide timely notice when service is able to resume.

Heavy rainfall raises water over roads

Due to recent heavy rainfall, three Crittenden County roads are currently affected by high water.

Those roads, in the eastern quadrant of the county, are Providence Road, Enon Church Road and Cool Springs Road.

GED makes full-court press in April

Crittenden County Adult Education is a part of a GED Full-Court Press through the month of April.

Individuals who complete the GED process during this month will have their name placed in a drawing for $500 cash. The GED testing process consists of four tests – math, reading and language, science and social studies. 

Cindy Jenkins is the Marion coordinator at the adult education center inside the former National Guard Armory.

Many students have one or more tests already completed. Full-Court Press is an initiative meant to help provide some extra motivation to complete GED testing requirements. 

Also, recently, a Crittenden County student started and completed GED instruction and testing in just a few days. Though this is not common, it does happen. Bill Allen, who works in promotion for WKEC said, "Wherever a person is in the process, we will do everything we can to tailor a program to help them succeed."

Completion of the GED results in an average annual income increase of between $9,000-$10,000.

GED enrollment, instruction and use of the center is free. Kentucky is still offering free testing through June of this year. The center also offers distance learning options for home, online study and internet instruction.

For more information, visit mywestkyged.com, crittendenged.com or call 270-965-9435. The center is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m., to 6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m., to 1 p.m.

REMINDER: Free Dump Days This Week

Free Dump Days at the Crittenden County Convenience Center begins tomorrow.

Materials will be accepted Thursday and Friday, April 7-8 from 8 a.m., to 3:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 9 from 8 a.m., to noon. 

Waste tires will be accepted, but no household trash, residential or agriculture chemicals nor paint unless dried with kitty litter. 

This is a residential event only with no trash accepted from commercial operators. 

This is for residents or property owners of Crittenden County only. Identification will be checked prior to dumping. For more information, call 270-969-1914.

Buntin Consignment Auction Saturday

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Honky Tonking this weekend at Fohs

Tickets remain on sale now for Saturday night’s show at Fohs Hall featuring Josh McMillen and The Honky Tonk Wranglers. 

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online at TicketLeap.com. Tickets are also available by calling 270-969-1066. 

Show is from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Dance floor will be open and concessions available. This event is being hosted by 

"Job Fair To Go" is all this week

Local organizers are anticipating a great deal of interest in a “Job Fair to Go” program this week in Marion as part of National Library Week.

Crittenden County Public Library, West Kentucky Workforce Development and the Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce are partnering to help provide the program that will include a literal bag of helpful materials that can assist people in finding work.

“Our main goal is to get these resources into the hands of people who are seeking a job in the county,” said Librarian Brandie Ledford.

The project is part of a statewide job fair being promoted by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives at more than 25 public libraries across the commonwealth.  

Here, the library will be passing out plastic bags loaded with job openings and other information about how to apply for jobs, including tips on writing resumes and how to dress for an interview. 

“We have had great response from employers,” Ledford said.

Other than at the library, job fair kits can be picked up at The Peoples Bank, First United Bank, Farmers Bank and Trust, Adult Education Center (former armory), courthouse, Extension office, Health Department, Dycusburg Post Office, Crayne Post Office and from the Bookmobile on its typical route.

Fohs Hall has new website, tickets online

Fohs Hall has a new interactive website making it easy for viewers to see a schedule of upcoming events, buy tickets, get information on rental options and much more.

The site is at FohsHall.org and also includes information about how to support civic and community events held there and lists other benefactors. You can find links to make quick contact with Fohs Hall organizers and schedulers to help plan your event. 

Fohs Hall was built in 1926 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its construction was commissioned by Ferdinand Julius Fohs, a notable petroleum geologist who grew up in Marion. He gifted the building to the community.