Social Media Ban for children under 16

Australia on Monday became the first nation to enact a full ban on social media use for children under 16, a sweeping law that shifts responsibility from parents to tech companies and threatens platforms with multimillion-dollar penalties for violations.

The ban applies to major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and X. Companies must take “reasonable steps” to keep minors off their services, including age-verification measures and the removal of suspected underage accounts. Serious or repeat noncompliance could draw fines of up to $33 million.

Australian officials framed the measure as a response to mounting evidence of online harms, noting research showing 96 percent of 10- to 15-year-olds use social media and many report exposure to harmful content, grooming or cyberbullying.

Critics argue the law will be difficult to enforce, risks driving teens to less-regulated corners of the internet and raises concerns about how platforms will collect and verify sensitive age data.

Ferry closed today for high winds

 

Cave-In-Rock Ferry closed Wednesday due to high winds

The Cave-In-Rock Ferry shut down Wednesday because of high winds, according to the ferry authority. Officials said the service will reopen once conditions improve.

The ferry connects KY 91 in Crittenden County with Illinois Route 1 in Hardin County across the Ohio River.

CRH hosting Christmas benefit Dec. 19

MARION, Ky. – A new holiday tradition is taking shape at Fohs Hall later this month as Cumberland River Homes hosts “A Very Merry Christmas Benefit,” an evening of music, comedy and community support.

The free event is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. at Fohs Hall, 201 N. Walker St. in Marion. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. so guests can choose their seats and browse a Holiday Silent Auction before the program begins.

Organizers say the benefit is designed to celebrate the season while spotlighting the work of Cumberland River Homes, a nonprofit that provides residential, day training, behavior supports, case management and other services to people with disabilities. Its mission is to offer each person a safe, happy, healthy and respected life.

This year’s lineup features The Todd Hill Quintet with vocalist Kayla Marie Little, comedian Jamey Ragle and The Cumberland River Homes Choir directed by Julie Wedding. The program will combine classic Christmas favorites with big band flair, sing-along moments and family-friendly comedy.

The Todd Hill Quintet will be making its first appearance at the benefit, bringing a big band sound to traditional holiday carols. Little will be featured on vocals throughout the concert. Ragle, a returning crowd favorite, will add his signature quick-witted, story-driven comedy. The CRH choir will showcase the voices and talents of individuals served by the organization.

Ahead of the performance, attendees can take part in the Holiday Silent Auction. Items will include handmade creations from clients in Cumberland River Homes’ Day Training Program, along with goods and gifts donated by community members. Proceeds from the auction will support CRH services and future growth.

Several area businesses have already signed on as sponsors for the 2025 benefit, including Livingston Hospital, Boyd Funeral Directors, Farmers Bank & Trust, Dr. Debra Wilder and The Kuttawa Clinic, KeeFORCE, Superior Exteriors LLC, Johnson’s Furniture & Appliances, A Cut Above Meat Market and Kountry Quisine. Their contributions help keep the event free to the public while backing programs for individuals with disabilities.

Sponsorship opportunities remain available. Businesses or individuals interested in supporting the event may contact Braden Locke at 270-704-5333.

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Today we're headed to Salem, Ky.

to visit with Mayor Gary Damron

Flags at half staff today

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state office buildings to be lowered to half-staff Sunday. Dec. 7 in observance of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The day honors the more than 2,400 Americans killed in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor during the early-morning hours of Dec. 7, 1941. The next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the date “a day which will live in infamy” and signed the Declaration of War against Japan.

On Dec. 11, 1941 the United States entered war with Germany and Italy after both nations declared war on the U.S.

Beshear encouraged individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies across Kentucky to join the tribute by lowering flags on Sunday.

Coke truck steals the show

Entered by Grant Kneisler and David Farmer, the Coca-Cola Truck Wins Nostalgia Award at Parade

The Coca-Cola Truck stole the show at Saturday's Christmas parade, winning the judges' Nostalgia Award, a category created to accommodate the standout entry. It was a great parade with strong participation, featuring 45 entries plus every fire truck in the county and Salem.

The Crittenden County Middle School boys' basketball bus also slipped into the parade just ahead of Santa after arriving home from winning the 5th District Championship at Lyon.

Parade Category Winners

Business

1st Place – Glenn's Pharmacies

2nd Place – KY American Seed

3rd Place – H & H Hardware

Church

1st Place – Deer Creek

2nd Place – Freedom

3rd Place – Marion General

Organization

1st Place – Friends Forever

2nd Place – E911

3rd Place – FFA

St. Nick Day Highlights Roots of Santa

And, how he slapped Arius at Council meeting 

Today, Dec. 6, marks St. Nicholas Day, a centuries-old Christian feast honoring the fourth-century bishop of Myra, whose generosity and faith helped shape traditions still celebrated today, including the modern figure of Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas, a Greek bishop in what is now Turkey, was known for quiet acts of charity. The best-known account tells of him secretly providing gold for the dowries of three impoverished young women so they could marry. His reputation for compassion spread widely, and over time his story blended with folklore across Europe, eventually inspiring Sinterklaas and, later, Santa Claus.

Though the historical record is thin, St. Nicholas is also famously – and perhaps legendarily – linked to the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Tradition holds that he confronted the teacher Arius for denying the divinity of Christ. The tale of Nicholas slapping Arius emerged centuries later, reflecting Christian devotion to orthodoxy more than documented history.

St. Nicholas Day is observed Dec. 6 in Western Christian traditions, or the evening of Dec. 5, and Dec. 19 in Eastern churches that follow an older calendar. Families in many countries mark the day with simple, symbolic customs. Children place shoes or stockings out overnight and awaken to coins, oranges, small toys or candy, echoing Nicholas’s quiet gift-giving. Churches may hold special services, and some communities emphasize charity, donating toys or helping families in need.

Though American culture associates gift-giving with Christmas, Christian tradition recognizes St. Nicholas as the original model of generosity rooted in faith, a reminder, especially in this Advent season, of caring for the poor, encouraging children and practicing mercy in everyday life.

Crittenden Fiscal Court meets in special session

Crittenden County Fiscal Court will hold a special called meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in the Fiscal Courtroom at the County Office Complex.

The only item of business is to consider approval of claims for payment on the jail.

Hundreds may be left voiceless in the spring

Candidate filings for 2026 are already reshaping the political landscape in Crittenden County, and the early numbers may leave hundreds of local voters without a voice next spring. 

Why are some residents switching parties, and what could this mean for the balance of power going forward? 

See more about this trend in this week’s full edition of The Crittenden Press.

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No Parking for Saturday Parade | See Santa

There will be no parking along Main Street in downtown Marion from 3 p.m., until after Saturday’s Christmas Parade. 

Both sides of Main Street from Depot Street to the traffic light at Bellville Street will be coned off starting two hours before the 5 p.m., parade. Local law enforcement cautions parents to be especially attentive to children seeking candy by going into the street as motorized vehicles pass by. 

The Chamber of Commerce and Integrity Insurance are organizing the parade. 

Following the parade, Santa will see children at Crittenden County Fairgrounds inside the Lions Club's Agriculture Building. Children will get a hot-dog supper.

Marion gearing up for huge celebration

Big plans are taking shape for America’s 250th birthday in 2026 and Marion could be at the center of a major two-day celebration.

Community leaders are already sketching ideas, gathering partners and exploring ways to honor history, patriotism and local heritage.

What exactly is being planned?

What events might fill the weekend?

And how can the community get involved?

Find all the details in this week’s full edition of The Crittenden Press.

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No school in Crittenden today

School is closed in Crittenden County today as a result of slick roads from the first winter weather event of the season.  This is a Nontraditional Instruction (NTI) Day, with students in grades 3-12 completing classwork at home.  Teachers are available via email, Google Classroom and ParentSquare.

LYON COUNTY SHERIFF's Report

- On Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., Chief Deputy Sam Adams responded to a single-vehicle collision complaint on Hopewell Road. His investigation revealed a 2016 Dodge Dart exited the roadway and was unoccupied when he first arrived. Chief Deputy Adams was able to locate and identify the driver as James Malone, 32, of Kuttawa. Malone was charged with operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license and failure to produce an insurance card. There were no injuries in the accident.

- Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, at 4:34 a.m. and continuing through Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., the sheriff and deputies responded to 10 domestic-dispute-related incidents in the county. In most of the incidents, the parties were separated and no charges were filed. Several incidents resulted in the petitioning of protective orders through the court. In one incident, a woman was transported to an area hospital for a mental health evaluation. Sheriff Brent White reminds the public that Sanctuary Inc., (800) 766-0000, offers domestic violence services and emergency shelter for victims, and Pennyroyal Center, (877) 473-7766, offers mental health and crisis/emergency stabilization services. The Kentucky 988 suicide and crisis lifeline is also staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week for those needing to connect with suicide prevention assistance, mental health and substance use counselors. These providers tend to see an uptick in demand for services around the holidays.

- On Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, just after 5:30 p.m., Deputy Josh Travis responded to I-69 with Kentucky State Police and other first responders for a rollover collision. Upon arrival, it was determined there were two non-injury collisions near the same mile marker. KSP investigated the non-injury rollover collision with two occupants, and Deputy Travis investigated a single-vehicle collision. His investigation revealed a

Wintry Mix in Forecast Tonight

A wintry mix will move into the region this evening and continue overnight, bringing light snow, sleet and pockets of ice to much of western Kentucky and surrounding areas.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for far southeast Missouri, far southern Illinois and most of western Kentucky, where forecasters expect up to an inch of snow or sleet and some light icing. Southwest Indiana has been added to the advisory, with up to 2 inches of snow possible there as the system organizes later tonight.

Areas farther north and west may see around an inch of snow or sleet. In Trigg, Christian and Todd counties, the event is expected to be mostly rain, with only a limited wintry mix after midnight.

While overall totals are low, forecasters warn that even light ice or snow could quickly create hazardous conditions on roads, bridges and sidewalks. Temperatures will remain below normal through the week.

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Almanac releases White Christmas forecast

In its annual Christmas Forecast, the Almanac reports that the Northeast, Lower Lakes and Alaska are expected to have snow on Dec. 25, while areas such as the Atlantic Corridor, Southeast, Deep South, Texas–Oklahoma region, Pacific Northwest and Southwest are not. Several regions fall into a “chance” category, including the Appalachians, Upper Midwest, High Plains and parts of the Intermountain West.

The Almanac’s long-range outlook anticipates a “milder, gentler winter” overall across much of the country.

The Almanac also shared historical White Christmas probabilities based on NOAA’s 30-year climate data. Northern states such as Maine, Minnesota, North Dakota, Michigan and Wisconsin typically see snow three out of four years or more. Odds drop sharply across the Mid-Atlantic, South, Plains and much of the West, with Washington, D.C., historically averaging about a 6 percent chance.

Wintry weather staying to the north

Wintry weather is expected to stay north of Crittenden County and most of western Kentucky today, according to the National Weather Service. Precipitation will move across the region early this morning and taper off tonight.

Forecasters say the system will start as snow mainly in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois, where light accumulations are possible. Areas along the I-64 corridor in Illinois have the best chance of receiving an inch or more.

Across western Kentucky, including Crittenden County, the precipitation is expected to quickly transition to rain by late morning and remain rain the rest of the day. Brief travel issues are possible this morning in southern Illinois due to slushy road conditions, but rising temperatures and steady rain should improve travel by afternoon.

Consider Fohs Hall for your special event

Click Image to Enlarge

Planning a bridal shower, class reunion or special 

event? Consider holding that event at Fohs Hall.

Fohs Hall, a beautiful 100-year-old cultural arts 

center, is the area's premier special events venue. 

For rental information, contact Elliot West.

Sunday could get a little slippery

A wintry system is expected to move into the region Saturday morning, bringing a round of snow before changing over to rain by late morning. Forecasters say the precipitation will taper off by Sunday morning.

Snow is expected mainly across southeast Missouri and southern Illinois, where light accumulations are possible. The greatest chance for an inch or more is along the I-64 corridor in southern Illinois. 

Extreme northern Crittenden County and parts of Union, Webster, Hopkins and Caldwell counties could see some preciptation. 

Slippery or slushy road conditions could cause brief travel issues early Saturday, but rising temperatures and afternoon rain should improve driving conditions later in the day.