County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom is encouraging businesses and residents to follow suit and lower their flags. They will remain at half-staff until the evening of his interment.
Coyle died Thursday morning, weeks after being mortally wounded. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
In a statement issued shortly after 8 a.m. this morning, Crittenden County Sheriff Evan Head said Deputy Coyle “was a beloved member of the sheriff’s office. We are deeply grateful for all of the support we have received from the public and surrounding communities during this difficult time.
“We ask that everyone continue to respect the privacy of Deputy Coyle’s family as they grieve this profound loss.
“Deputy Coyle will be laid to rest with full line-of-duty honors and benefits. Additional details will be released when the funeral arrangements are finalized.”
Coyle, 58, had been hospitalized since April 2, when he was shot while assisting in the service of an emergency guardianship order at a residence along KY 365 between Mattoon and Sturgis. The encounter ended with the death of the suspect, Ronnie Phillips, 59, of Marion, and marked the first time in modern local history that a Crittenden County law enforcement officer had been shot in the line of duty.
From the outset, the impact of the shooting extended well beyond the scene. In the days and weeks that followed, students, teachers and fellow officers described Coyle not only as a deputy but as a steady and reassuring presence in their daily lives.
At Crittenden County High School and Middle School, where he served as a resource officer for the past 2 years, Coyle was known for building relationships with students and staff. He was a familiar face in the hallways.
Students spoke to him regularly, and educators said his presence provided a sense of security that never felt intrusive.
That quiet approach defined much of Coyle’s work, both inside the schools and across the broader community.
Before coming to Crittenden County, Coyle spent nearly 3 decades in law enforcement in Illinois, including 28 years with the Chicago Police Department and service on a SWAT team, where he participated in more than 2,000 missions. After retiring, he relocated to western Kentucky, where he continued serving, not out of necessity but by choice.
In addition to his work in schools, Coyle played a role in training and mentoring younger officers throughout Marion, Crittenden County and surrounding areas. Colleagues said he brought experience that could not be replicated in a classroom, sharing lessons from years spent in some of the most demanding environments in law enforcement.
The April 2 shooting occurred around 5 p.m., when deputies, along with personnel from the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services, went to the residence to serve a court order. Authorities said gunfire was exchanged inside the home.
Coyle was struck twice, once in the chest and once in the head. His body armor stopped the shot to the torso, authorities said. He was airlifted to a hospital in Evansville before later being transferred to a higher-level trauma unit in Nashville.
Sheriff Evan Head and Deputy James Duncan were also involved in the fatal confrontation but were not injured. Two women inside the home were safely removed, and no additional injuries were reported.
The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team has been leading the investigation. In the days following the shooting, many area law enforcement agencies assisted Crittenden County with manpower and other resources.
In the immediate aftermath, the community gathered at the high school for a prayer vigil, where dozens of law enforcement officers stood alongside students, teachers and residents. School officials brought in counselors to support students returning from spring break, many of whom were struggling to process the shooting.
Superintendent Tonya Driver said at the time the district was “stunned and heartbroken” and noted the loss would leave a significant void in the schools.
The non-profit group Supporting Heroes has been assisting the family since the incident, and has posted a memorial on its website where friends may leave messages https://supportingheroes.org/memorial.
Crittenden County Fiscal Court will meet in special session at 4pm Thursday, April 30 at the county office complex.
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The district announced it is now hiring drivers and will provide CDL training for qualified applicants. No prior experience is required.
Officials say the positions include a benefits package, opportunities for extra pay and access to air-conditioned buses. Drivers also receive summers off and are not scheduled for nights, weekends or holidays.
Those interested can apply online at the district’s website. Questions may be directed to transportation staff via email at wayne.winters@crittenden.kyschools.us
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With the season running through May 10, hunters still have significant time remaining. At the current pace, this year’s harvest is tracking ahead of recent seasons and could finish among the stronger totals of the past decade.
Field reports indicate gobbling activity has begun to taper off, which is typical as the season progresses. However, hunters continue to report a solid number of toms still on the landscape, with many birds now roaming in search of hens that have moved to nesting.
For comparison, Crittenden County’s total harvest reached 350 in 2025, 357 in 2024, 413 in 2023, 307 in 2022 and 397 in 2021. That means this year’s 10-day total is already on pace with or ahead of several recent full-season totals.
Historically, the county’s peak harvest was 566 birds in 2012, while more recent lows included 288 in 2018.
With more than half the season remaining, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the stronger turkey seasons in recent memory if current trends continue.
Crittenden-Livingston Water District will have a special called meeting at 10 am Tuesday, April 28 at Deer Lakes meeting room.
On the agenda is review of engineering for Phase 2 of its water plant expansion project
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources said young animals are commonly found in neighborhoods, backyards, farms and other developed areas during the season. While they may seem vulnerable, officials said a parent is typically nearby and will return periodically to feed or care for them, even if it is gone for several hours.
“Every year, well-meaning people often step in to ‘rescue’ a baby wild animal that is alone and appears to be abandoned,” wildlife veterinarian Dr. Christine Casey said. “In reality, they were fine before someone with good intentions stepped in, trying to help in the wrong way.”
Handling or moving young wildlife can do more harm than good, the agency said. Human scent can draw predators, and removing an animal from its location may separate it from its parent. Officials urged residents to observe from a distance, keep children and pets away, secure trash and outdoor food sources, and check properties for nests or young animals before mowing or beginning outdoor work.
State law allows only permitted wildlife rehabilitators to care for injured or orphaned animals, and it is illegal to remove wildlife from its natural environment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife does not accept animals for care but provides a list of licensed rehabilitators by county on its website.
Additional restrictions apply in Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance zone counties, where rehabilitators are prohibited from taking in deer or elk due to the risk of spreading the fatal disease. Those animals also cannot be transported outside the zone for care.
Officials also cautioned the public about rabies risks, particularly from species such as bats, foxes, raccoons, skunks and coyotes. Infected animals may show signs including aggression, lack of coordination or excessive drooling. Rabies can be transmitted through bites, scratches or saliva exposure and is fatal if untreated.
Anyone bitten by a wild animal should immediately contact a health care provider or local health department. Pet owners are encouraged to keep vaccinations up to date and prevent contact between pets and wildlife.
Suspected rabid animals can be reported to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549 or through the agency’s website.
Crittenden County real property tax assessment roll will be open for public inspection from May 4 through May 18, according to Property Valuation Administrator Todd Perryman.
During that period, any person may review the tax roll under the supervision of the PVA or a deputy. The assessment reflects property values as of Jan. 1, 2026, which will be used to determine state, county and school taxes due around Nov. 30, 2026.
The tax roll will be available at the PVA office in the county office complex from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will also be open from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, May 9 and May 16.
Taxpayers who disagree with their real property assessment must first request a conference with the PVA or a deputy. Conferences may take place before or during the inspection period, and supporting documentation is required. Instructions for submitting documentation will be provided upon contacting the office.
If a taxpayer remains dissatisfied after the conference, an appeal may be filed with the county clerk’s office no later than one working day after the inspection period ends. Taxpayers should contact the clerk’s office for filing procedures and required forms.
Failure to appeal or appear before the county board of assessment appeals will prevent further appeal to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals.
Appeals for personal property assessments follow a separate process. Taxpayers must file a written protest with the Kentucky Department of Revenue’s Office of Property Valuation within 30 days of receiving their assessment notice, in accordance with state law. Decisions may then be appealed to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals. (paid legal posting)
Deputies served a criminal summons April 20 on Jessica D. Jones, 33, of Kuttawa, charging her with parent or custodian to send child to school — first or second offense. She is scheduled to appear in Lyon District Court in May.
A motorist assist on KY 93 South April 21 led to the arrest of two out-of-state fugitives. Torriun Ar-Dwayne Young, 32, of Atlanta, was charged with operating on a suspended or revoked license and possession of marijuana. He was also wanted in Hardin County on a fourth-degree domestic violence assault warrant. Javonna Montayzhia Looney, 38, of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested as a fugitive from that state. Both were lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.
On April 22, deputies arrested James W. Patten, 63, of Gilbertsville, after he allegedly stole $582.75 in merchandise from a Kuttawa business. He was charged with theft by unlawful taking between $500 and $1,000. Patten was later served April 23 with a Hopkins District Court bench warrant for failure to appear and remains incarcerated.
Sheriff Brent White arrested Tyree L. McGee, 26, of Paducah, on April 23 on a Lyon District Court bench warrant for failure to appear. McGee posted a cash bond and was released. Deputies also served a Clark County warrant on Monica V. Goodwin, 44, of Winchester, for non-support. She awaits extradition.
A drug complaint at Lyon County High School April 23 resulted in charges against William Nichols, 18, of Kuttawa, for possession of marijuana after vapes were found. A 15-year-old female student was also charged and released to a guardian.
Late April 25, deputies responded to disturbances at a campground on Green Road, resulting in three arrests. Tammy K. Roof, 55, of Kuttawa, was charged with fourth-degree assault and possession of methamphetamine. Kevin R. Kesling, 56, of Kuttawa, faces multiple charges including fourth-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault with a knife, disorderly conduct and meth possession. Lindsey A. Iron-Road, 46, of Kuttawa, was charged with fourth-degree assault and disorderly conduct. All were lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.
The bridge, located over Caney Fork just south of Glendale Church Road, had been temporarily opened to traffic using compacted gravel approaches.
Crews will install a waterproof membrane and complete paving and striping during the closure. The roadway will remain closed until work is finished, with completion expected in about one week, weather permitting.
The Marion Cemetery Association will meet at 9 a.m., Saturday at Henry and Henry Monuments on Sturgis Road.
The association oversees operations and maintenance of Mapleview Cemetery off of West Bellville Street and the old Marion City Cemetery at the corner of Moore and Gum streets.
Crittenden County Fiscal Court will have a special meeting at 4 p.m., Friday, April 24 to review a draft budget and consider payment of jail bills that were deferred from the regular monthly meeting last week.
Livingston Hospital will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its hospital modernization and expansion project. The event is open to the public and will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 23.
The hospital has launched a $78 million development plan, funded largely through a USDA loan, to upgrade the Salem facility. Officials say the project will improve and expand services.
On display this weekend will be stunning quilts, crochet and needlework by local hands.
It’s all part of a cozy celebration of creative tradition and community from 9 a.m., to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 25 at Crittenden County Public Library.
The annual Hooks and Needles Quilt Show is spearheaded by Crittenden County Extension Homemakers.
The most serious criminal case came just before midnight Sunday, April 19, when Thomas C. Bush, 42, of Cadiz, called 911 to report someone was burglarizing his attic. Deputy Bobby Beeler responded to the Lamasco residence and found no one inside the home. According to the sheriff’s office, Bush had been using methamphetamine and was also in possession of the drug. He was arrested on charges of false reporting to law enforcement and first-degree possession of a controlled substance, second offense, involving methamphetamine. Deputies also determined Bush was wanted in Montgomery County, Tennessee, and added a fugitive from justice charge. He was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.
The sheriff’s office also reported 3 injury crashes during the period. On Thursday, April 16, Deputy Josh Travis investigated a single-vehicle wreck on Interstate 69 near U.S. 62. Authorities said Skyler P. Harris, 21, and passenger Makenna P. Hall, 23, both of Owensboro, were traveling south in a 2025 Ford during rainy conditions when Harris lost control, ran off the right shoulder, went down an embankment and struck a tree. Both were taken by Lyon County EMS to Lourdes Mercy Health Hospital with minor injuries.
On Saturday, April 18, Travis responded to another single-vehicle crash in the 3000 block of KY 1943. Authorities said Colleen G. Baldwin, 55, of Oakland Park, Florida, swerved to avoid a deer, lost control of her 2014 Jeep Patriot, left the roadway and hit a parked vehicle. She was taken to Marshall County Hospital for treatment.
Earlier in the week, Chief Deputy Sam Adams investigated a mishap at a boat ramp in Old Kuttawa when a 2004 Ford Excursion towing a boat trailer went into Lake Barkley while backing down the ramp. Authorities said driver Jacqueline Toppel, 72, of Princeton, lost control of the vehicle. No injuries were reported.
Other arrests included Angela G. Perez, also known as Angela Mallory, who was charged April 18 with fourth-degree assault, domestic violence, minor injury, and Kristy S. Moore, 45, of Cadiz, who was served a Crittenden Circuit Court bench warrant for contempt of court. Mark Thornton, 53, of Harrisburg, Illinois, was served 3 Union Circuit Court bench warrants for felony probation violations in separate cases. Deputies also served summonses on Sarah W. Riley, 37, of Marion, on a theft by deception charge involving cold checks under $300, and Amy N. Frazier, 48, of Eddyville, on a school attendance-related offense.
The American Red Cross has scheduled upcoming blood donation opportunities in the area including stops in Marion and Fredonia, as part of a regional push to strengthen the spring blood supply.
A blood drive will be held at Saint William Catholic Church in Marion on April 27 from 1 to 6 p.m. Another opportunity is scheduled at Fredonia Mennonite Church on May 15 from 12 to 5 p.m.
The Red Cross is encouraging donors of all blood types to participate, noting that seasonal travel and shifting routines can reduce donations and strain supplies needed by hospitals and transfusion centers. Incentives are being offered, including a $15 e-gift card for donations made through April 30 and a $20 Amazon gift card for those who give May 1-17.
The General Assembly fulfilled its constitutional responsibility by overriding 30 vetoes issued by Governor Andy Beshear. These actions reflect a unified commitment to policies we believe best serve Kentuckians, particularly in education, school governance, energy, elections, firearms, gaming and early steps toward Medicaid reform. While differences between the legislative and executive branches are inherent to the process, our priority remains long-term stability and responsible governance. At the same time, the governor signed more than 130 bills into law this session, underscoring meaningful areas of bipartisan agreement.
Among the final measures passed was House Bill (H) 869, legislation that included several tax incentives and credits for economic expansion. It establishes a framework for sustainable aviation fuel credits to support Kentucky’s airports as competitive international hubs, streamlines pathways for farmers to bring products to market and strengthens the agricultural economy by reducing costs and improving margins. The bill also addresses the evolving needs of downtown Louisville by creating tax incentives to redevelop underutilized large office buildings, encouraging mixed-use investment, job creation and renewed economic activity in the urban core.
Senate Bill (SB) 197 makes strategic investments across several priorities including restoring support for local school districts implementing the new assessment and accountability system, strengthening local health departments and advancing the transformation of Kentucky State University into a residential polytechnic institution. It also supports completion of the Kentucky Exposition Center, funds a Louisville transportation tunnel feasibility study through the Kentucky State Fair Board and enhances oversight by the Kentucky Motor Vehicle Commission. Taken together, these efforts reflect a deliberate approach to strengthening education, public health, infrastructure and regulatory systems while advancing long-term economic development.
These are the other bills passed this week that have been delivered to the governor.
I sponsored SB 214, which authorizes the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to accept and manage non-federal funds and grants from public and private sources. It also creates the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative pilot program to introduce youth in urban counties to agriculture. This bill brings agriculture to the urban areas, making our food production cycle tangible to those living in our major metropolitan areas.
SB 37 designates the treeing Walker coonhound as the official state dog of Kentucky, recognizing the breed’s deep historical ties to Kentucky’s hunting heritage and outdoor traditions. The bill also includes both purebred and mixed breeds domestic cats and dogs as the official pets of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the eastern spotted skunk as the official state non-game mammal and the eastern hellbender as the official state amphibian of Kentucky.
SB 66 modernizes Kentucky’s impaired driving laws to strengthen public safety and clarify enforcement. The bill codifies that refusing a blood test results in a court-ordered license suspension at arraignment, with additional suspension by the Transportation Cabinet upon a DUI conviction. It also updates per se DUI standards to include substances such as fentanyl, clonazepam, and cyclobenzaprine and clarifies
The Marion Fire Department was dispatched at 10:43 p.m. to 415 Maple St. on a report of flames and smoke visible. Crews arrived to find the front left corner and much of the left side of the home fully engulfed.
The residence, identified as a vacant rental property owned by Nora Belt, had no occupants at the time of the fire. However, officials noted that items inside the home and witness accounts indicated there had been very recent activity at the location.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control in approximately 30 minutes. Four Marion Fire Department members conducted an interior attack while additional personnel provided exterior support.
The Marion Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Crittenden County Fire Department, Marion Police Department, Crittenden County EMS and the Calloway County Sheriff’s Department, which was providing overnight coverage in Crittenden County.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Crews cleared the scene at 12:17 a.m. Sunday.
From the April 9, 2026 newspaper
That absence, we have long believed, is part of the bargain, part of the deal.
There is a quiet peace to places like ours when you strip away the noise, the clutter and the constant motion that pulls the world elsewhere. What remains is a fragile kind of tranquility. And when that peace is broken, it does not scatter, it settles into the pit of our stomachs. It lingers. It hangs low over everything like a dark fog.
What happened here a couple of weeks ago has settled that way.
There are events that pass through a community like a brief storm, loud and sharp and then gone. And then there is pain that seeps into the very fabric of a place, into its schools and onto its porches, into conversations, into families, into the spirit and soul.
This one has done just that.
For the children in our schools, Deputy Rick Coyle was never just a badge or a uniform. He was presence. He was steadiness. A man who could stand in a hallway and make it feel anchored and safe. Students knew him in the easy way children know who can be trusted. It was something rare, security that didn’t have to announce itself. It was simply there... quiet, stoic and certain.
Teachers felt it, too. In rooms where the demands are constant and the certainties are few, his presence was a kind of blessed assurance. He watched without intruding. He understood without needing explanation. In him, they found not only protection, but partnership.
And beyond those walls, the wider community came to know the same man. He chose this place for his own.
After years spent in Chicago, in the hard edges and harder lessons of a city that asks much of those who serve it, after decades that included time on a SWAT team and more than 2,000 missions, he came here, not to disappear, but to give again. He taught. He mentored. He shaped younger officers across Marion and throughout this region, passing along knowledge that cannot be found in manuals or classrooms, only in lived experience. Those who serve beside him say he may well be the most experienced, most thoroughly trained deputy this county has ever known.
And so the question lingers, heavy and unresolved. How does something like this find its way here? To a place that has long stood apart from such things. To a man who had already walked through the worst the world could offer and still chose to invest himself in something smaller, quieter and, we believed, safer.
This is not simply an incident to be recorded and filed away. It is the first time in modern memory that an officer here has been shot. It is a wound layered and deep, felt by children who this week notice the absence in their hallways, by teachers who feel the difference in the air, by fellow officers who stood alongside him, and by neighbors and townspeople who are shocked and grieving.
Sheriff Evan Head and Deputy James Duncan, who stood with him on that call between Mattoon and Sturgis, now carry their own burden from that day. And so, too, does the Phillips family, who, in their own way, are left to bear the weight of a horrific act and a single, irreversible decision.
It is a burden that will not easily be set down. They all will need the steady hand of a community that understands how to stand together when there is little else to be done.
And in the stillness that has followed, in the long pause that comes after something we never expected to face, one truth remains.
Choices are forever. Whether we choose rightly or wrongly, there are consequences that do not fade.
Deputy Coyle chose to be a lawman because it is what he was called to do. Policing and his life are bound together.
And those choices, bold in one life, misjudged in another, are now something this community will carry for a long time. Something owed. Something remembered. Something that, in its weight, reminds us just how dangerous, and just how fragile, even the safest places can be.
Chris Evans, a newspaperman since 1979, has been editor of The Press for more than 30 years and is the author of South of the Mouth of Sandy, a true story about crime along the Tennessee River. You can find it on Amazon or wherever books are sold.
On display this coming weeekend will be stunning quilts, crochet and needlework by local hands.
It’s all part of a cozy celebration of creative tradition and community from 9 a.m., to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 25 at Crittenden County Public Library.
The annual Hooks and Neeles Quilt Show is spearheaded by Crittenden County Extension Homemakers.
These final days are an important part of the process. They ensure that the work Kentuckians sent us here to do is completed and that every piece of legislation is fully considered before it takes effect.
Delivering a responsible budget and real results
Over the last full week of session, we took major steps to finalize a responsible budget and make smart investments that will benefit communities across Kentucky, including those right here in our 1st Senate District.
We approved a balanced two-year budget that continues strong support for education, fully funds pensions and brings more oversight to Medicaid. In total, the budget directs more than $32 billion toward core services and essential government functions.
We also decided to limit spending growth in other areas to ensure long-term stability. This approach reflects a commitment to responsible budgeting while continuing to invest in priorities that matter most to Kentucky families.
Education
Over the next two years, we increased per-pupil funding by 2 percent to continue supporting our public schools. We also committed an additional $500 million to strengthen our pension system, building on years of progress that have led to one of the most significant turnarounds in the country.
In total, SEEK funding alone exceeds $7 billion, with additional support going toward early childhood education, student services and classroom support. These investments reflect our ongoing commitment to students, teachers and families across Kentucky.
Medicaid
Medicaid continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas of our budget, now accounting for about $6 billion in state funding each year, second only to K-12 education.
We took steps in this budget to increase oversight and control costs while protecting services for those who rely on the program. At the same time, we limited spending growth in other areas of government to keep the budget sustainable long term.
One-time transformative investments
As a meaningful investment in Kentucky’s future, we passed House Bill (HB) 900 to invest $1.7 billion from our budget reserve trust fund into communities across Kentucky. We are directing these dollars toward infrastructure, economic development and workforce needs without creating new ongoing costs in
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| Thomas Prevatte |
On Thursday, April 9, 2026, around 3:45 p.m., Sheriff Brent White charged Thomas J. Prevatte, 46, of Princeton, on a Lyon Circuit Court indictment warrant for offenses that occurred Feb. 24, 2026. The charges were levied by a recent Lyon County grand jury and are as follows:
- Theft by unlawful taking auto (less than $10,000) by complicity
- Theft by unlawful taking all others (less than $10,000) by complicity
- Trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, by complicity (more than 2 grams of methamphetamine)
- Drug paraphernalia — buy/possess by complicity
- Criminal attempt — fleeing or evading police, first degree (motor vehicle)
- Wanton endangerment, first degree
- Wanton endangerment, first degree (police officer)
- Criminal mischief, first degree
- Terroristic threatening, third degree
- No registration plates
- No registration receipt
- Failure of non-owner to maintain required insurance, first offense
- Operating on a suspended or revoked license
- Failure to wear seat belts
- Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, second offense
- Persistent felony offender II
Prevatte was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.
Prevatte and a Princeton female were originally charged following a Feb. 24 standoff stemming from a theft investigation in Lyon County. They were taken into custody following at standoff at Dollar General Store next to I-24 on KY 293.
In other cases:
On Monday, April 6, 2026, around 4:40 p.m., Sheriff Brent White served a Lyon Circuit Court bench warrant for contempt of court on Shane L. Jones, 53, of Kuttawa. Jones’ original charges include possession of a controlled substance, first degree (methamphetamine); possession of marijuana; and drug paraphernalia. Jones was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.
On Monday, April 6, 2026, around 5:45 p.m., Deputy Bobby Beeler made contact with a female from
City of Marion has announced a temporary moratorium on citations for rubbish and junk in residential yards as officials prepare for an upcoming free dump day.
City leaders said the pause is intended to give residents time to clean up their properties and take advantage of the free disposal opportunity. During the amnesty period, officials will focus on outreach efforts, including sending notices, distributing door hangers and speaking directly with residents about cleanup expectations.
Although a date for the free dump day has not been established, local leaders anticipate it to be held in early May.
Once the free dump day has passed, enforcement will resume and citations will be issued for properties that remain in violation. City officials said the approach is designed to encourage voluntary compliance before penalties are enforced.
At a special meeting recently, Marion City Council approved two appointments to the Marion Planning and Zoning Commission, naming Scott Tabor and Alec Pierce to fill seats formerly held by Joe Hunt and Casey Winstead.
The planning and zoning commission meets on an as-needed basis rather than on a regular schedule.
In related business, the council finalized passage of measures tied to nuisance enforcement and is considering issuing a request for proposals to establish a formal towing and storage arrangement. City Administrator Adam Ledford said Marion currently operates without a formal agreement and has been reviewing how other Kentucky cities handle the process.
The proposed system would be non-exclusive, allowing multiple towing providers while establishing standards for storage, insurance and procedures for abandoned vehicles. Under the plan, towing companies could eventually seek legal authority to dispose of vehicles, with proceeds first going toward city costs.
The council also approved a list of surplus property that will be advertised for sale.
Livingston County Conservation District will give away free tree seedlings to county residents during the grand opening of the Livingston Central FFA Greenhouse on Tuesday, April 14.
The event begins at 9 a.m. and will continue until the seedlings are gone. Available varieties include hazelnut, common persimmon, loblolly pine, silky dogwood, pin oak, pecan and white pine. The district purchased the seedlings through the Kentucky Division of Forestry.
The greenhouse opening also will serve as a chance to support the Livingston Central High School FFA chapter through plant sales. Flowers, hanging baskets, vegetables, herbs and succulents will be available for purchase.
Visitors are asked to enter behind Livingston Central High School.
Sheriff Brent White reported the collision occurred around 7:30 a.m. on KY 1271. A 2007 Chrysler 300 driven by Richard N. Thompson Jr., 36, was traveling westbound when it crossed the center line and struck a 2005 Ford Expedition driven by Helen M. Evans, 45, of Kuttawa.
Evans had just come through a curve and observed Thompson’s vehicle in her lane. She attempted to avoid the crash but was unable to do so. Both drivers sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene.
Thompson was arrested and charged with reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, first offense. He was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.
The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by the Kuttawa Fire Department and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
In a separate matter, the sheriff’s office is investigating a series of stolen road signs reported over the past several weeks. Officials said multiple signs have been taken from roads across the county, including Bent Tree Lane, Birdie Bannister Road, Cummins Lane and Poplar Creek Road, among others.
White said the thefts pose a safety risk and strain county resources. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.
Coyle was shot twice last week while on duty in rural Crittenden County. For further information see this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press where will have the latest on this investigation.
A community prayer vigil for Crittenden County Sheriff’s Deputy and School Resource Officer Rick Coyle will be held at 6 p.m., tonight on the Crittenden County High School football field.
Coyle was critically wounded in Thursday evening’s shooting in rural Crittenden County while taking part in an operation with the sheriff’s office.
In the event of bad weather, the vigil will be moved inside Rocket Arena.
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| Rick Coyle |
The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting, which occurred around 5 p.m. April 2 at a residence on KY 365 near Sturgis.
According to KSP, deputies with the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office, along with staff from the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services, were attempting to serve emergency guardianship paperwork when gunfire was exchanged.
Deputy Rick Coyle, who also serves as the district’s school resource officer, was struck by gunfire and airlifted to Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, Ind., where he remains in critical condition.
The suspect, identified as Ronnie Phillips, 60, was fatally wounded during the exchange.
Authorities said a female victim was safely removed from the residence, and no other injuries were reported.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Caldwell, Livingston, Lyon and Union county sheriff’s offices, Marion Police Department, Crittenden County EMS and Crittenden County Coroner Brad Gilbert.
KSP officials said the agency was requested by Post 2 in Madisonville to lead the investigation, which remains ongoing. State police noted that further details will be released once interviews are completed and key facts are confirmed.
Beginning at 11:30 a.m., Friday there will be a cross walk along Main Street from Elm Street to West Bellville Street and will end at Marion First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Following the cross walk, there will be a Good Friday message at noon at the church then a free, light meal in its fellowship hall.
Marion Baptist Church had originally planned its egg hunt for 10 a.m., Saturday at Crittenden County Fairgrounds. Those plans have changed and the event will be at 6pm Friday at the fairgrounds.
This Sunday is Easter, which concludes Holy Week. It is typically the most attended church service of the year, celebrating the resurrection and the promise of new life.
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| Farmers Bank President Wade Berry introduces U.S. Rep. Andy Barr at today's speaking event |
Speaking to a crowd of regional officials, bankers and business leaders from across Western Kentucky, Barr introduced himself as an eighth-generation Kentuckian with a background in law, business representation and economic development. He emphasized his work on the House Financial Services Committee and his advocacy for community banks, calling them “the American dream makers” and stressing the need for tailored regulations rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Barr centered much of his message on economic growth and national security, tying both to energy production in Kentucky. He argued the state is positioned to become an “energy juggernaut” through coal, natural gas, hydro and nuclear development, particularly as demand rises from emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. He warned of competition from China in both economic and military arenas and said expanding domestic energy production is critical to maintaining U.S. global leadership while creating jobs in regions like Western Kentucky.
Throughout his remarks, Barr leaned heavily on themes of persistence, work ethic and opportunity, citing his own narrow 2010 congressional loss before later winning the seat as evidence of determination. He said he is running to “restore the American dream” amid rising costs and economic uncertainty, pledging to use his experience and relationships in Washington to deliver for Kentucky. Barr also highlighted his support of former President Donald Trump and positioned himself as a candidate who can win statewide by appealing to both Republican and swing voters.
Pictured is Barr speaking with local airport board chairman Jim Johnson.
