Agriculture Hall of Fame enshrines longtime farmer

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STAFF REPORT
The late Beverly Herrin has been named the 2026 inductee into the Crittenden County Agriculture and Rural Leadership Hall of Fame.

Born in 1927, Herrin began farming at an early age on his family’s farm in the Mattoon community. A 1945 graduate of Marion High School, he remained in Mattoon and farmed alongside his wife, Polly, and multiple generations of their family. He continued to be active in farming well into his 90s.

Throughout his career, Herrin worked to produce high-quality beef and pork by continually learning about new production practices, according to information provided by the Crittenden County Extension Service.

He was willing to experiment with different farming methods, including retained ownership of feeder cattle and the use of different feed components. One improvement he particularly enjoyed discussing – and proudly showing to others – was the addition of Romagnola bulls to improve his herd’s genetics through increased hybrid vigor.

Herrin was known for helping younger and less-experienced producers, offering both assistance and constructive criticism. He mentored many farmers and helped several build successful operations through his advice and willingness to share what he had learned. His best advice often began with the familiar phrase, “Well, there’s a little story behind that.”

His community involvement included service with the Masonic Lodge, Young Farmers Association, University of Kentucky Extension Council and Mt. Zion Cemetery Board. At Repton Baptist Church, Herrin served as a deacon, treasurer and Sunday school teacher.

Herrin also served more than 20 years as a supervisor with the Crittenden County Conservation District, including several years as board chairman. He played a major role in the district’s successful application for an atrazine remediation grant for Marion’s Lake George and Old City Lake watershed area. The district continues to receive and use funding from that grant today.

Described as a hard worker, provider, frugal farmer, good friend and mentor, Herrin was also remembered for his faithfulness to his family and church.

Herrin died in April. His legacy continues through his family and the many farmers he mentored during his lifetime.

THURSDAY newsCast | A trip to city hall

 

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Today we have an extended interview with

City Administrator Adam Ledford about some

capital spending on the horizon for Marion

Water leak blows a second time

SALEM, Ky. – Crittenden-Livingston Water District (CLWD) continues to wrestle with a troublesome water line break near its Pinckneyville plant south of Salem after two repair attempts failed on Monday.

The leak is on a line near the water plant, according to district Superintendent Abbie Adamson. The line feeds district customers on the south side of the Cumberland River. However, Grand Rivers and Ledbetter are not affected by the situation because they are being supplied by other means.

CLWD crews repaired the leak for a second time Monday night, but the repair failed when the pump was restarted.

“When we turned the pump on, it blew apart again because of the initial surge of pressure,” Adamson said.

The district has called Murtco, a company which has been working on a zone-metering project for the water system, to assist with the repair. The contractor was expected on site early this morning with ductile iron pipe, a more durable material than what district crews had available for the previous repairs. Adamson said Murtco will make the repair.

For a second day Livingston schools are out because of the leak.

CLWD customers on the north side of the Cumberland River, such as Salem, Burna and Crittenden County, are not affected by the leak.

UPDATE: Shelby Road WORK DELAYED south of Salem

UPDATE: This work has been postponed due to weather and will begin August. 26.

ORIGINAL POST

SALEM, Ky. – Shelby Road in Livingston County will close at the Crittenden County line beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, for repairs to the bridge over Claylick Creek.

The bridge is about 4.5 miles south of the U.S. 60 and Ky. 133 intersection in Salem. Shelby Road connects with Axel Creek Road in Crittenden County.

Motorists should plan to self-detour. Message boards will be placed ahead of the closure, including along Ky. 70 in Crittenden County.

The road is expected to reopen around 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, after repair materials have cured. About 440 vehicles travel that section of Shelby Road daily.

BOIL WATER ORDER IN LIVINGSTON

ORIGINAL POST : SALEM, Ky. – Crittenden-Livingston Water District has issued a boil water advisory for all customers south of the Cumberland River following a major water line break.

The advisory affects Livingston County customers between the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, except those in Grand Rivers and Ledbetter. Grand Rivers is receiving water from North Marshall Water District, while Ledbetter is producing its own water. The City of Smithland has also issued a boil water advisory.

The advisory is expected to remain in effect for 24 to 48 hours while water samples are collected and test results are returned. The break disrupted schools and caused water service issues across much of Livingston County.

C-PLANT | Monday NEWScast

 

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Today we visit with Jenny Zimmer

who grew up in Marion in the1940s and

has been writing for The Press

LYON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORT

On Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, around 10 a.m., deputies served a Lyon District Court criminal summons on Stanley Puryear, 61, of Eddyville. He was charged with seven counts of theft by unlawful taking. The case involves a period when Puryear was an employee of a local business. The case was investigated by Chief Deputy Sam Adams. Puryear is set to appear in Lyon District Court on Aug. 19, 2026, to answer to the charges.

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, around 1:38 p.m., Sheriff Brent White observed a dump truck operating on KY 93 South with no license plate displayed on the rear of the vehicle. He attempted to stop the dump truck on KY 93 near KY 1055. The operator disobeyed multiple directives to stop and turned off KY 93 onto KY 1055, where he continued to disobey directives to stop. The dump truck finally stopped at an abandoned home on KY 1055, where the driver was taken into custody without further incident. He was identified as Maxx T. Phebus, 32, of Earlington. Phebus was charged with improper display of registration plates, failure to or improper signal, first-degree fleeing or evading police, failure to wear a seat belt and driving on a DUI-suspended license, second offense. Phebus was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center. White was assisted by the Eddyville Police Department and Kentucky State Police. Note: This is the second time in recent days Phebus has been arrested in Lyon County. In the early

Fohs Hall to celebrate 100 years

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Fohs Hall is turning 100.  Special events are being planned for later this year to commemorate the construction of the building, donated to the community by geologist Julius Fohs.

After it ceased being used by the Crittenden County Board of Education in 1980, it was renovated and has been used as Marion's premier cultural events center.

Watch for additional information coming soon about the 100-year celebration. 

Forging heirlooms in rural Crittenden County

Ashton and Randy Samuels pose
with a custom built sign for
their business.

MAROIN, Ky. – Minnie Pearl once famously said “Take the backroads instead of the highways.” That’s good advice, because one never knows what kind of treasure can be found along those paths. Travelling up one of Crittenden County’s backroads, for example, will lead you to Eight Gables Forge, a father and son craftsman team who are developing their art and skill in every creative project they complete.

“A lot of people don’t know about us,” Randy Samuels explained of Eight Gables Forge. The forge is located on the Samuels’ farm off Blackford Church Road in rural Crittenden County. Samuels started it as a hobby in 2018. His son, Ashton, quickly became interested in learning too. As their skills increased, so did the demand for their product.

Eight Gables Forge specializes in making knives. “I love to forge Damascus steel,” Randy Samuels described. For Samuels, the draw to Damascus is the challenge that it brings. “It is two different materials,” Samuels explained. The two different types of steel that Samuels uses makes the knife easy to sharpen and also for it to hold that edge. Samuels layers pieces of the two types of steel and forge welds them together to create a billet, or “finished blade blank.” He twists it, warping the layers to create complex, swirling patterns that Damascus is known for. Then Samuels hammers it back out into the desired blade shape. This is where Samuels gives it “character.” 

The process alone is why Samuels refers to it as a challenge, but the challenge is multi-faceted. He is looking for the right steel for the knife he is creating. “There may not be enough landscape to show off the pattern,” he explained. The initial forge weld is critical. “You have to have a good weld,” Samuels added. He also takes into consideration what kind of style of Damascus the knife will have. The number of layers of initial steel impacts the style in the end product. For example, ladder Damascus will only have 13 layers, where Diamondback will have 104 layers.  

While Samuels loves Damascus steel, that’s not the only type of metal he uses at Eight Gables. Many of his creations are made with used metal that he has found or that has been given to him. From bush hog blades to railroad spikes, Samuels uses each piece to create something new. One particular knife Samuels

THURSDAY NEWScast | A very ferry conversation

 

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Today we have a conversation with

Cave-In-Rock Village President Marty Kaylor

with regard to the ferry's closure

Road work on "Back Way" to Eddyville

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will restrict traffic along KY 373 in Lyon County beginning Thursday, Aug. 13, for milling and paving.

This is a common commuter route from southern Crittenden County to Eddyville.

The work zone will extend 3.6 miles between U.S. 62 and KY 1943. Milling is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, followed by paving beginning Monday, Aug. 17. Paving is expected to take about three days, weather permitting.

Motorists should use caution and follow directions from flaggers.

Caution on US 62 and I-24

Motorists should use caution along eastbound U.S. 62 and Interstate 24 in Livingston and Lyon counties following a diesel spill Wednesday.

The spill begins near Kentucky Dam at U.S. 62 mile point 0 and continues east through Livingston and Lyon counties, including near the I-24 Exit 40 interchange at Kuttawa. Diesel also was reported in the right lane of eastbound I-24 through about mile marker 47.

Cleanup is underway, and no lanes are blocked. Rain forecast for Wednesday afternoon could create additional slick conditions.

POSTAL DELIVERIES disrupted today

An issue involving a private contractor responsible for transporting U.S. Postal Service mail across western Kentucky disrupted some deliveries Wednesday, particularly in ZIP codes beginning with 420.

The disruption could affect mail service for the next couple of days. The contractor transports mail between Paducah and smaller post offices throughout the region.

"Due to an issue involving a new contract carrier, mail for a majority of the 420 ZIP Code prefix area did not receive mail on Monday, Aug. 12. The Postal Service anticipates mail delivery will resume for our customers on Tuesday. We apologize to those who were inconvenienced by this unfortunate situation," said Susan Wright, communications director for the USPS.

 Attempts to reach the contractor for comment also have been unsuccessful.

C-PLANT | Monday NEWScast

 

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LYON COUNTY SHERIFF’S ACTIVITY

On Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, just before 9:30 p.m., Kentucky State Police reported a vehicle traveling at an excessive speed on Interstate 24. Deputy Bobby Beeler and a state trooper made contact with the 2026 Hyundai on I-24 westbound near the 40-mile marker. Beeler arrested the operator, Sandera L. Reyes-Valenzuela, 36, of Granite City, Illinois, and charged her with no operator’s license and speeding. She was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center and later transported to the Christian County Jail because of an ICE detainer.

On Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, around 2 a.m., Beeler was dispatched to a suspicious incident on KY 730 West. A resident called dispatch to report a dump truck in the yard of a neighbor whom he believed to be in the hospital and not at home. Upon arrival, Beeler located the dump truck with a man passed out inside. The man was identified as Maxx T. Phebus, 32, of Madisonville. He was arrested and charged with third-degree criminal trespassing, second-degree criminal mischief, alcohol intoxication and possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle. Phebus was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

On Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, around 3 p.m., the Eddyville Police Department and Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding a subject who had left Circuit Court and was driving a Nissan Titan pickup truck on a suspended operator’s license. The vehicle and its operator were located on West Dale Avenue. The driver was identified as Brandon S. Ausherman, 35, of Cadiz. He was arrested by Sheriff Brent White and charged with improper registration plate for having a plate on a vehicle to which it was not assigned, second-offense failure to maintain insurance, no or canceled registration receipt, no or canceled registration plate, operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license and second-degree possession of a controlled substance. Ausherman was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

On Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, around 6:30 p.m., Beeler located Elizabeth L. Wright, 24, of Eddyville. She was arrested on a McCracken District Court bench warrant for failure to appear as it pertained to a fraudulent use of a credit card case. She later posted a cash bond and was released from custody.

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, around 10:42 a.m., Chief Deputy Sam Adams responded to a two-vehicle

Lane restrictions on I-24 this week

Daytime lane restrictions are planned along Interstate 24 in Livingston and Lyon counties Monday through Friday, Aug. 10-14, while crews cut brush and clear overgrowth along guardrails.

The work zone will extend from the Tennessee River Bridge near Exit 31 at Grand Rivers to Exit 45 at Eddyville. Crews will begin in the eastbound lanes and progress toward Eddyville before shifting westbound and working back toward the bridge.

Lane restrictions will be removed after each workday. Nearby entrance and exit ramps may be temporarily blocked as crews move through the area. Motorists should slow down and use caution.

Hudson Mine Rescue Tribute is Saturday

MARION, Ky. – A detailed presentation recounting the 1926 Hudson Mine cave-in and the extraordinary rescue effort that followed will be the featured attraction at a free centennial celebration Saturday, Aug. 8, in Marion.

“All Found Alive!” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Fohs Hall and the neighboring Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., and organizers encourage visitors to arrive before the featured program starts promptly at 10.

Bo Moodie will lead the presentation at Fohs Hall, using historical photographs and A.M. Shelby’s written report to provide a play-by-play account of the disaster and rescue.

“People need to be here at Fohs Hall between 9 and 10 for registration,” organizer Andrea Clement said. “The stuff you don’t want to miss is at 10 o’clock.”

The program will explain the daunting conditions rescuers encountered and the repeated mechanical and logistical failures that complicated their work.

“It was Murphy’s law in effect,” Clement said. “Anything and everything that could go wrong did go wrong. And they never gave up.”

Five fluorspar miners — Randolph Cobb, Roy James, George Castiller, U.B. Wilson and Harry Watson — were trapped about 150 to 160 feet underground after a massive cave-in occurred between 9 and 10 p.m. Aug. 5, 1926, at the Hudson Zinc and Spar Mine southwest of Salem.

The mine had operated intermittently since the 1890s. Near the working area was an abandoned pit about 90 feet deep that had filled with water, mud, discarded timbers and other refuse. Older miners had warned

THURSDAY NewCast | StoryWalk

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Find out about the new StoryWalk

at Marion-Crittenden County Park

and learn more about these emblems 

 

UPCOMING Back to School Events

Crittenden County Schools’ back-to-school events are just around the corner as students prepare to return for the new academic year. All back-to-school events will be held on consecutive days Monday, Aug. 17 and Tuesday, Aug. 18. The schedule includes:

•Kindergarten 5 to 6:30 p.m., Aug. 17

•Preschool 4 to 5:30 p.m., Aug. 17.

•Elementary School grades 1-5 from 4 to 6 p.m., Aug. 18.

•Middle School 4 to 6 p.m., Aug. 17.

•High School 4 to 6 p.m., Aug. 17.

Families will have an opportunity to meet teachers and staff, visit classrooms and prepare for the start of school.

Local student completes KY Gov's School

Crittenden County High School student Creea Whitfield recently completed the 2026 Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts program, studying visual art.

Whitfield was among 275 students from 60 Kentucky counties who participated in the tuition-free program June 7-27 at Northern Kentucky University. It was the first year NKU hosted the three-week program.

Students participated in daily seminars, creative projects, master classes and lectures across 10 artistic disciplines. They also attended a performance of Broadway’s “The Lion King” in Cincinnati.

Since 1987, the Governor’s School for the Arts has provided more than 9,000 rising Kentucky high school juniors and seniors with intensive arts instruction and opportunities to qualify for college scholarships. 

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Decorated teacher is leaving classroom

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County Middle School science teacher Neal Bryant is trading chemistry for counseling this year, as he becomes the elementary school’s next counselor when school resumes later next month. 

Bryant, an accomplished educator with teaching experience both at the elementary and middle school levels, said he is excited for a new journey and the opportunity to help students grow socially and emotionally.

“I love encouraging kids, helping them work through challenges, and being another trusted adult in their lives,” said Bryant. “Counseling just feels like the right fit for me.”

Bryant’s goals in his new role include building trust and forging relationships with students and families. 

“I want my office to be a place where kids feel safe, welcome, and excited to visit, not because they’re in trouble, but because they know someone cares about them,” he said. “I also hope to partner closely with teachers and families to help students be successful both in and out of the classroom.”

Known for bringing engaging and exciting lessons to his students, Bryant said he looks forward to infusing the same creativity into his counseling work. 

Bryant is a past winner of Paducah Challenger Center’s Outstanding Educator award, the Linda McDowell Outstanding Educator award, and the Regional Educator Partnership Excellence in Teaching award, among others. Most recently, Bryant has served as a GoTeach Kentucky Ambassador, sharing content expertise, teaching strategies, and engagement techniques with colleagues across the state. 

Bryant also serves as an assistant coach for Crittenden County High School’s boys basketball program. He enjoys running, being outdoors, and spending time with his family in his free time.

A NEW SCHOOL YEAR, SAFER JOURNEYS AHEAD

A back-to-school message from Sen. Jason Howell

As students across Kentucky head back to the classroom, a new school year brings fresh opportunities to learn, grow and prepare for the future. Whether it’s a child’s first day of kindergarten or a student’s final year before graduation, every school year marks a new beginning filled with possibility.

This year is especially meaningful for my family because it marks our youngest child's senior year of high school. With every "last first day," "last football game" and "last school event," we're reminded that this chapter is quickly coming to a close. As parents, we're trying to savor every moment while preparing for the bittersweet transition that comes with watching our child take the next step into adulthood. I know many of you have experienced those same emotions, and my family shares that mix of pride, gratitude, excitement and nostalgia right alongside you.

As excitement builds for the year ahead, it is also a timely reminder that every student’s journey to and from school should be just as safe as the learning that takes place inside the classroom. While families return to their regular routines, it is important for every driver to understand the rules of the road around school buses. With the passage and implementation of House Bill 7, drivers are now required to stop whenever a school or church bus has its signal lights flashing and its stop arm extended on most roadways. This includes highways and four-lane roads with a center turning lane.

Drivers traveling in both directions must stop unless the roadway is divided by an elevated barrier or an unpaved median. A painted centerline or middle turning lane does not create an exception. These requirements help protect students as they enter or exit a bus and may need to cross multiple lanes of traffic.

HB 7 also allows school districts to use stop-arm camera systems to identify motorists who illegally pass stopped buses and strengthens penalties for violations. While these provisions increase accountability,

C-PLAN | Monday NEWScast

 

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Today we hear from Andrea Clement

about this weekend's fluorspar heritage event

to recognize the 100th anniversary of the

Hudson Mine Rescue

Fredonia Festival is Saturday, Aug. 8

The Fredonia Lions Club’s 61st annual Summer Festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 8 at Buddy Rogers Park in Fredonia. The all-day event begins at 8 a.m. with Little League activities and includes bingo, cake walks, water balloons, a petting zoo, pedal tractor pulls, trophies, a pet show and washer pitching. 

Food will include smoked pork, chicken, burgers, hot dogs, homemade desserts and other festival favorites. 

Live music begins at 5:30 p.m. with the Fort Campbell Band, followed by local talent at 6:30 p.m. Large raffles and hourly cash drawings will be held throughout the day. Admission is free, and proceeds benefit the Fredonia Lions Club’s charitable projects.

Martin completes Washington learning mission

MARION, Ky. – Crittenden County High School student Maeson Martin returned from Washington, D.C., with new friendships, greater confidence and a deeper appreciation for American history and civic engagement after participating in the 2026 Washington Youth Tour.

Martin was among three students sponsored by Kenergy for the weeklong experience coordinated by Kentucky Electric Cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. She was joined by Heath Ford of Henderson County High School and Carson Whitsell of Webster County High School.

The students visited Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and George Washington’s Mount Vernon before touring the U.S. Capitol, museums and memorials in Washington. They also heard from U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and congressional staff members during a discussion about artificial intelligence, term limits and Federal Emergency Management Agency reform.

Martin said the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was the most meaningful stop.

“You can talk about it over and over again in history classes all throughout years of school,” Martin said, “but looking at it through pictures and video, being able to actually walk through one of the cattle cars, it hits you different.”

The tour also included stops at the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, White House Visitor Center, World War I Memorial, National Air and Space Museum and Arlington National Cemetery. At Arlington, students watched the Changing of the Guard, and members of the Kentucky delegation placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Kenergy representatives Kristine and Jonathan Carrier served as chaperones.

Lane restrictions in Lake City next week

LAKE CITY, Ky. – A lane restriction is planned Monday, Aug. 3, and Tuesday, Aug. 4, along U.S. 62 between KY 453/Dover Road and KY 952/J.H. O’Bryan Avenue in Livingston County.

Crews will cut brush along guardrails from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The westbound right lane will be restricted Monday, followed by the eastbound right lane Tuesday. Traffic will shift into the left lane.

The northbound KY 453 exit ramp to U.S. 62 also will be blocked for part of Tuesday morning. Work is weather permitting.

School says Jackson is back as coach

 

Less than 24 hours after the school district announced that Crittenden County Rocket basketball coach Kenny Jackson had resigned, school officials issued a news release saying the coach had rescinded his resignation. 

Following is the release issued by the school district today:

Marion, KY—July 30, 2026… Following honest conversations and time for reflection between Coach Jackson, district, and school leadership, Jackson has rescinded his resignation and will continue leading Crittenden County’s high school basketball program. Superintendent Tonya Driver and Coach Jackson acknowledge that emotions were running high when recent decisions were made. Taking a step back created the opportunity for meaningful dialogue, fresh perspective, and a renewed commitment to moving forward together.

"Leadership sometimes means recognizing when it's time to slow down, listen, and reconsider," said Superintendent Driver. "I'm grateful that Coach Jackson, Principal Josh Cook, and I had the opportunity to have open and honest conversations. We share the same goal—to do what's best for our students—and I'm thankful we found a path forward together."

Driver and Jackson agree that the situation has led to the opportunity to demonstrate what healthy leadership and conflict resolution look like, and they are thankful for the chance to show staff, students, parents, and the community how adults can work together to put kids first and make a situation better. 

Coach Jackson added, "My love for Crittenden County, this school system, and certainly, these athletes, runs deep. The support shown by our kids, parents, alumni, colleagues, and community has been incredibly humbling. I’m grateful for the time I spent with Mrs. Driver and Mr. Cook this morning, and for the transparent conversation we have shared. I’m glad to continue to lead this basketball program, and I appreciate the trust and support we have placed in each other going forward.”

The district also recognizes the overwhelming support expressed by the community in regard to the situation. While the circumstances have not been easy, they have served as a powerful reminder of how deeply this community values the people who dedicate themselves to its children. 

“We are all partners in education,” said Driver, “and in shaping students into the kind of contributing citizens we want them to become. It takes all of us working together, working through times of harmony and times of challenges, to model what it means to take responsibility, listen to understand, admit our shortcomings, and move forward with a new perspective.”

Practice continues as scheduled for the boys’ basketball team, with Coach Jackson and assistant coaches Coley Rogers and Neal Bryant at the helm. Workouts start in mid-September. Jackson encourages any high school student interested in joining the program to attend workouts or reach out for more information. 

THURSDAY NEWScast - US Rep. Comer in Marion

 

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On today's program we head out to

the airport to hear our congressman

Jackson resigns from Rocket basketball

MARION, Ky. – Kenny Jackson has resigned after one season as Crittenden County High School’s boys’ basketball coach, the school district announced Wednesday.

Jackson, a 1993 CCHS graduate and former Rocket basketball player, inherited a program that had finished 0-26 the previous season. Crittenden went 2-29 during his only season as head coach.

Jackson said resigning was not something he particularly wanted to do but that school leaders had placed him in an uncomfortable and potentially untenable position. He said he was told too many players had quit during the past year and that the school would not retain him for another season if more players left the program.

A paraprofessional coach, Jackson had no other employment ties to the district. 

He was the Rockets’ fourth boys’ basketball coach in six seasons. The district has begun searching for his replacement.

“We are looking forward to the future of Rocket basketball,” CCHS Principal Josh Cook said.

The CCHS basketball squad has won just five games over the past three seasons, finishing last in the Second Region each year.

Rep. Comer in Marion today for big announcement

U.S. Rep. James Comer visited Marion today for the formal announcement of $1 million in federal funding for a parallel taxiway at Marion-Crittenden County James C. Johnson Airport. 

The Crittenden Press first reported the funding in February. 

Dozens of dignitaries and individuals were present for the official announcement this week.

Comer said the project will improve airport safety and support regional economic development. A full report will appear in next week’s newspaper.

911 Board hosts special meeting

Marion-Crittenden County 911 Board will meeting in special session at 2 p.m., Thursday at Marion City Hall for an update on the Harris Radio system and grant process. 

Big events remain for annual fair

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A few big events remain on the schedule for the annual Crittenden County Lions Club Fair.

4-H entries are being accepted and available for viewing in the Lions Club building at the fairgrounds.

On Friday, the late Beverly Herrin will be enshrined in the Ag Hall of Fame; followed by free admission on Family Night featuring activities for kids.

Events conclude Saturday with the demolition derby.

Duncan's Service Center closing for good

MARION, Ky. – Duncan’s Service Center, located on the northwest corner of Main and Gum streets in Marion, will permanently close Thursday after six years in business.

The business announced the closure Tuesday in a social media post, thanking customers for their support.

“After six years of serving our community, Duncan’s Service Center will be closing its doors July 30. Thank you to our customers for all the dedication and allowing us to serve you and this community. Thank you!”

No reason for the closure was provided in the post. See the post here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BU1aiRmBw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Lyon County Sheriff's Weekly Report

 

On Saturday, July 18, 2026, around 6:30 p.m., Deputy Bobby Beeler was dispatched to a theft complaint in the Confederate community. His investigation revealed a property owner had come to his property on July 18 and determined a building had been burglarized and multiple vehicles had been stolen. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a Kawasaki motorcycle, a go-kart and a Procraft bass boat, in addition to other personal property items, were stolen in the burglary. The value of the theft exceeds $33,000. If anyone has information about this burglary and theft, they are asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 270-388-2311 or 270-388-0911.

On Sunday, July 19, 2026, just before 8 p.m., an off-duty Lyon County sheriff’s deputy observed a suspicious male wearing a backpack near a closed business in Kuttawa. The deputy contacted Sheriff Brent White, who dispatched Deputy Bobby Beeler and a Kentucky State Police trooper to the area. They located Cameron M. Mortensen (34) of Waukegan, Ill., at the closed business. After confirming with the business’s owner that he did not know Mortensen and that Mortensen did not have permission to be on the property, Deputy Beeler arrested him. During the investigation, it was determined that Mortensen had also shoplifted items at Huck’s Travel Center. Mortensen was charged with third-degree criminal trespassing and theft by unlawful taking-shoplifting. He was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

On Monday, July 20, 2026, just before 5 p.m., Deputy Bobby Beeler was dispatched to a two-vehicle collision on KY 293. His investigation revealed a 2000 Ford Explorer, driven by Linda F. Barnhart (79) of Eddyville, was backing out of a private lot onto KY 293 when she collided with the passenger side of a

Dance academy to offer classes in Marion

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A Paducah-based dance studio is bringing classes to Marion.

Beginning this fall, Center Stage Dance Academy and owner Lisa Hill will be offering classes on Thursdays at Fohs Hall. Several types of dance will be taught to multiple ages and ability levels. 

See the business' Facebook page for online registration, or make plans to register in person Aug. 2 at Fohs Hall.

Cooling center established at former armory

MARION, Ky. – The former National Guard Armory will serve as a cooling center Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28, as dangerous heat continues across the region.

The cooling center will be available during daytime and early evening hours but will not remain open overnight. Residents who need relief from the heat are encouraged to use the facility.

The center can be accessed by calling dispatch at 270-965-3500 as you can see in the attached letter of notice.

The National Weather Service in Paducah said heat index values could reach 105 to 115 degrees through Tuesday afternoon, with Monday expected to be the hottest day. Residents should limit strenuous outdoor activity, drink plenty of water and check on older adults and others vulnerable to extreme heat.

More than 1,000 without power in county

Kenergy Outage Center
 http://stormcenter.kenergycorp.com

MARION, Ky. – Many area residents remain without electricity this morning after a storm raced across the region around dusk Sunday.

The storm followed an unusual north-to-south path, leaving downed trees, flooded roadways and widespread power outages. Kenergy’s outage map showed hundreds of homes and businesses without electricity this morning, including more than 1,000 customers in northern Crittenden County. Outages stretched from Henderson south to Princeton and Eddyville.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said KY 902, which was closed because of high water near the Crittenden-Caldwell county line this morning, is now clear.

Red Cross declares national blood crisis

FIND OUT HOW AND WHERE YOU CAN HELP

The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis for only the second time in its history as donations have fallen to a four-year summer low.

All blood types are needed, but the shortage is particularly severe for type O blood. The supply of type O positive blood has fallen below one day, prompting the Red Cross to limit distributions to hospitals.

Appointments may be scheduled through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 800-733-2767. Donors who give through July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email, valued at up to $15. Those who donate Aug. 1-31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email.

Upcoming donation opportunities include:

• July 27: First United Methodist Church, 210 S. Washington St., Clinton, noon-5 p.m.
• July 27: Trace Creek Baptist Church, 3577 Ky. 131, Mayfield, 1-6 p.m.
• July 28: Vanzora Baptist Church, 1981 Vanzora Road, Benton, 1-6 p.m.
• July 28: Washington Street Baptist Church, 721 Washington St., Paducah, 12:30-5:30 p.m.
• July 29: Jackson Purchase Medical Center, 1099 Medical Drive, Mayfield, 7 a.m.-noon.
• July 29: The FOR Center, 2314 Brinn Road, Murray, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• July 30: Altona Baptist Church, 5827 U.S. 62, Calvert City, 1-6 p.m.
• July 30: Morgantown Mission, 109 S. Main St., Morgantown, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• July 31: Elkton Baptist Church, 301 E. Main St., Elkton, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Aug. 3: First Baptist Church, 307 Massac Creek Road, Metropolis, Illinois, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Aug. 3: First Christian Church, 415 Audubon Drive, Paducah, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Aug. 4: St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1698 Canton Road, Cadiz, noon-5 p.m.
• Aug. 5: Livingston Hospital Foundation Community Building, 131 Hospital Drive, Salem, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Aug. 6: Calvary Baptist Church, 121 Kentucky Ave., Princeton, noon-6 p.m.
• Aug. 6: Rest Church, 1200 Jefferson St., Paducah, noon-5 p.m.
• Aug. 7: Murray Masonic Lodge No. 105, 2036 Ky. 121, Murray, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Aug. 9: St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 5645 Blandville Road, Paducah, 8 a.m.-noon.
• Aug. 10: First Baptist Church, 127 E. Jefferson St., Golconda, Illinois, 12:30-5:30 p.m.
• Aug. 10: First Christian Church, 2515 S. Main St., Benton, 1-6 p.m.
• Aug. 13: Jackson Purchase Medical Center, 1099 Medical Drive, Mayfield, 7 a.m.-noon.
• Aug. 13: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1620 W. Main St., Murray, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Aug. 14: Sedalia Baptist Church gym, 5572 Ky. 97, Sedalia, noon-5 p.m.

The Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive, will also accept donations on multiple dates through Aug. 14. Appointments and available times can be found at RedCrossBlood.org.

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Fohs Hall becomes centarian

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Fohs Hall is turning 100.  Special events are being planned for later this year to commemorate the construction of the building, donated to the community by geologist Julius Fohs.

After it ceased being used by the Crittenden County Board of Education in 1980, it was renovated and has been used as Marion's premier cultural events center.

Watch for additional information coming soon about the 100-year celebration.

Fair events resume Saturday

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The Crittenden County Lions Club Fair's tractor and truck pulls will be held Saturday, July 25.  

4-H exhibits will be entered Monday, July 27 with public viewing beginning Wednesday, July 29. 

Check out the additional schedule of events, including the annual fair breakfast and demolition derby next weekend.

Woody Curry | WWII sailor comes home

 WARTIME JOURNAL | PART 4

Curry’s Final Days at War

By Chris Evans | The Crittenden Press

The final installment in a four-part series drawn from the wartime journal of Charles “Woody” Curry.

As this four-part series on the wartime journal of Charles “Woody” Curry comes to a close, the final entries carry readers through the last stretch of World War II in the Pacific, and back home again for one Livingston County sailor who saw it all from the deck of a wartime cruiser. 

Curry, who grew up in Carrsville and graduated from Hampton High School, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in May 1944 at just 18 years old. What began as a journey away from rural western Kentucky quickly became a sometimes terrifying front-row seat to history as he served aboard the USS Boise during the campaign to retake the Philippines. 

From bombardments and air raids to kamikaze attacks and invasion landings, Curry recorded it all in a diary he kept throughout his service. It was a diary he was not technically supposed to keep in such detail, but one he maintained anyway. That decision left behind a rare, firsthand account of war through the eyes of a young sailor. The final section of his journal reflects a war moving toward its conclusion. 

Entries describe bombardments along the Philippine coast, the devastation

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of Manila, solemn moments following the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and continued operations as American forces pushed forward. By mid-June 1945, Curry notes USS Boise preparing to head back toward the United States, marking the end of his wartime experience. 

After the war, Curry returned to civilian life and, like many of his generation, went back to work. He found work in Gary, Ind., as did a number of people from this area, before returning closer to home where he worked on the river as both an engineer and pilot on towboats, navigating the same waterways that had shaped his upbringing along the Ohio River. Later, he worked at the General Tire plant in Mayfield, building a life rooted in steady work and family. 

In retirement, Curry enjoyed simpler pursuits such as camping trips, time on the water and woodworking. It was the kind of quiet, hands-on activities that suited a man who had seen far more than most. Today, Curry lives at Salem Springlake nursing home in Salem, where he has resided for the past couple of years following a stroke. Though his mobility has declined, those who know him there say he remains sharp and engaged, and still willing to talk about his days as a Seaman First Class in the Navy. 

To staff and residents alike, he is more than just a veteran. He is a storyteller, a living connection to a defining chapter in American history, and, in many ways, a hero in their midst. Curry is believed to be the last living World War II veteran from Livingston or neighboring Crittenden counties. 

His diary, written in simple, steady entries by a teenager far from home, preserves not just the movements of a ship or the milestones of a war, but the experience of a generation. What began in those pages with flying fish, changing clocks and a long journey across the Pacific ended with a return home, and a life that, like many of his fellow veterans, was built not on what he saw in war, but on what he did after it.

Young Woody Curry back home
in Gary, Indiana

What began with flying fish, changing clocks and a long journey across the Pacific ended with a return home, and a life built not on what he saw in war, but on what he did after it.

Service Diary Part 4

March 1, 1945 – June 15, 1945

The final section of the journal captures the closing months of the war in the Pacific, when hard fighting continued but the broader outcome was no longer in doubt. The sailor’s entries move from bombardments and troop landings to ruined cities, dry dock repairs and solemn remembrance after the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. As the ship heads toward Borneo and carries MacArthur once more, the journal takes on the feel of a war entering its last act. March 1945

THUR. 1

We had recreation today but I didn’t get to go. I’m supposed to go

CVS temporarily closing on Saturdays

CVS is located in Darben Plaza

MARION, Ky. – CVS Pharmacy, located in Darben Plaza in Marion, recently posted on its door that it would be closed Saturdays. Roslyn Guarino, CVS senior manager of corporate communications-external affairs, has provided a statement regarding the announcement.

“We’re experiencing temporary staffing challenges at our Marion, Kentucky, pharmacy and, as a result, the pharmacy will be closed on Saturdays for the next couple of months. We’re in the process of onboarding new team members and plan to resume normal operating hours soon. Patients can always visit any open CVS Pharmacy for support. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our patients,” Guarino wrote.

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, it is becoming increasingly difficult to fill specialized pharmacy roles. Experts link the demand for pharmacists to an aging population across the country. The Census Bureau estimates the population over age 65 will double by 2060, creating a greater need for pharmacy services. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the pharmacy job market will continue to grow, with over 14,000 job openings this year alone.

Research supports that the demand is even greater in a rural area like Marion. The Rural Health Information Hub reported that “while 20.0% of the population is rural, only 13.9% of pharmacists work in rural areas.” University towns can have a flooded market, while small towns struggle. Studies indicate that there are 46% fewer pharmacists per capita in rural communities than in urban communities. The results of the high demand include longer hours and a lack of relief coverage for vacations and illnesses for small-town pharmacists in places like Marion. Consequently, that can also make it difficult to recruit and retain small-town pharmacists.