Crittenden farmers eligible for aid

USDA Declares Every Kentucky County a Natural Disaster Area – Farmers Can Now Apply For Financial Assistance

*McConnell urged USDA to approve Kentucky’s request*

Crittenden County farmers are now eligible for aid related to this year's damages from Mother Nature. But the county's farmers are not alone.

Sen. Mitch McConnell on Friday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared every Kentucky county a natural disaster area due to drought conditions and wind damage. In September, Gov. Steve Beshear requested the disaster declaration for the state.

"Last year, Kentucky producers experienced significant losses from drought conditions and freezing temperatures," the release from Sen. McConnell's office stated. "While spring rains brought some relief, farms across Kentucky are once again suffering from a lack of rainfall coupled with wind damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ike."

Kentucky farmers interested in applying for the assistance should contact their local Farm Service Agency office for further information. In Crittenden County, the FSA office can be reached at 965-3723 or email kymarion-fsa@one.usda.gov. In Livingston County, call 988-2180 or email kymarion-fsa@one.usda.gov.

“I am pleased that USDA approved this request that enables our agriculture producers to apply for low-interest emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program to compensate for their losses,” said McConnell.

Deer season approaches

The modern rifle deer season will open across Kentucky on Nov. 8. In Crittenden County, there's no bigger event or tourist attraction. Hundreds of hunters flock to this area each year on the second Saturday in November, hoping to harvest a big buck like the one displayed in this photograph from a few years ago. The buck was taken by local hunter Sean Shuecraft.

The Crittenden Press printed edition on Nov. 6 will include a special two-page section on deer hunting. You can get a sampling of what's in store for readers by listening to the accompanying podcast interview with wildlife biologist Philip Sharp.

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CCES Mock Election

On Tuesday, students in grades 3-5 at Crittenden Elementary held a Mock Election. 

The balloting was part of a statewide project in Kentucky. It was sponsored by the Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson. 

You can view the results of CCHS's voting and the state's totals using the following links.

STATEWIDE RESULTS

CCES RESULTS

Firefighters busy this week

Fires Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning has kept Marion firefighters busy.

The Marion Fire Department was dispatched to a house fire on West Bellville Street at 6:30 a.m., Thursday. Despite their efforts, the home was virtually destroyed. No one was at the residence when the fire broke out. It was the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church's parsonage, however, the pastor, Robert Boggs, was not there at the time. Contractors had been doing some repair work on the home recently.

Firefighters were still on the scene at 9 a.m.

About 6 p.m., Wednesday firemen were called to a brush fire just of U.S. 641 South behind Sealing Solutions. A fire set to burn some materials had re-ignited and started burning grass and leaves toward the Tumble Extreme gymnasium. 

Marion Fire Department was able to extinguish the blaze before it damaged any structures.

Pictured above are Marion firefighters (from left) Brian Kirby, Shane Young and Mike Crabtree help wind up the fire hose after Thursday's parsonage blaze was extinguished. On the fire truck are Billy Arflack and Barb Arflack.

Health Fair Today

The big health fair rained out last week is rescheduled for today at Crittenden Health Systems.

It's a huge blowout with all sorts of booths and activities for kids and adults.

See the back page of today's Crittenden Press printed edition for details. The event starts at 2 p.m.

Natural gas prices to be higher

Bad news for natural gas customers this winter. The cost of heating your home will be more over the coming months, as natural gas prices once again increase.

 “High heating costs will again be a burden for many of our citizens,” Kentucky Public Service Chairman David Armstrong said. “Although the prices have come down since August, natural gas still costs more than it did at this time last year.”

Kentuckians can expect to pay about 17 percent more this year than last for the same amount of gas, but that remains in line with national averages. Wholesale costs for gas have more than doubled since 2002, the PSC said.

A typical Kentucky customer using 10 cubic feet next month will pay a total monthly bill of $150.78, up $22.38 – or 17.4 percent - from the $128.40 average bill a year ago.

“Do not put off looking for assistance until your situation has become a crisis,” Armstrong said. “If you think you may need help paying your heating bill this winter, start looking for assistance now.’

For help with reducing the burden this winter, visit the following Web site for the topic listed:

• Weatherization tips: chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/Weatherization.htm
  
• Low-income assistance: chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/LIHEAP.htm
  
• Kentucky Office of Energy: www.energy.ky.gov/dre3
  

Grocers Against Cancer

Celebrity baggers are handling the carryouts today at Conrad's Food Store during the annual Grocers Against Cancer campaign. The Crittenden County Chapter of the American Cancer Society sponsors the event. Baggers include civic and governmental leaders from throughout the community. 

Pictured is Crittenden Health Systems CFO Joe Swab bagging groceries at the noon hour Tuesday. The campaign will on all day and into the early evening hours.

Be sure to drop a donation into the bin and help fight cancer.

Wireless wonderland ?

The Crittenden Press is following a big news story in Marion this week. It appears that city leaders are looking at bringing wireless Internet downtown. It would be a tourist draw and great marketing concept the mayor said.

Stay tuned to this week's printed edition of The Press to get all the details. The newspaper will be on the streets Wednesday afternoon.

Stolen truck found burned

Local authorities recovered a stolen truck Monday on a farm access road at Elizabethtown Landing in the Tolu community. 

An area farmer, John Croft, located the remains of a burned 1997 Ford Ranger Monday afternoon while tending the fields. Police were able to identify the vehicle from the license plate as one reported stolen from the area. 

The vehicle was stolen and burned sometime between Saturday afternoon and the time it was discovered Monday. There were no signs of anyone having been injured in the fire.

While on the call, Crittenden County Deputy Sheriff Greg Rushing received a call about some more property stolen from the Tolu area. Before answering the call, area residents and Rushing discovered a trailer hidden in the woods off Elizabethtown Landing Road just up from where the burned truck was discovered. The trailer turned out to the be the stolen property Rushing was headed to investigate.

More details will be available in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Obituaries

Melinda B. Roberson, 60, of Marion died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 at her home.
She was the owner of Melinda's Ceramics and member of Bethany Baptist Church in Sturgis. She was the owner of Melinda's Ceramics. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bonnie Sue Tabor, 67, of Salem died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 at Livingston Hospital. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem are in charge of arrangements.

Health Fair rain out

The Community Health Fair today has been postponed due to rain.

Crittenden Health Systems has rescheduled the event for next Thursday, Oct. 30. It will be held the same time and place, from 2-6 p.m., at the hospital campus.

McConnell - Lusford Debate

Watch streaming video of this morning's 8 a.m., debate

courtesy of the Paducah Business Journal. Click Here.

Gunmen reportedly open fire on WKU campus

Western Kentucky University campus was locked down early Wednesday afternoon after unconfirmed reports of shots fired at a residential hall on campus. Pearce Ford Tower is reportedly where the incident occurred.

The campus warning system was activated and students and staff were told to stay at their current location, according to the Bowling Green Daily News. Around 12:15 p.m., there were unconfirmed reports of armed men at the WKU South campus. Campus police were joined by Bowling Green city police and the KSP. 

Visit www.bgdailynews.com or www.wkuherald.com for updates.

If you are a WKU student from Crittenden County who would like to share today's experience with our readers, e-mail The Crittenden Press at pressnews@the-press.com.

McConnell making campaign visit

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, seeking a fifth term to office, will be in Marion at 10:45 a.m., Thursday at the Ed-Tech Center on Industrial Drive. 

Note that this is a new location. Many GOP leaders and McConnell supporters have been receiving emails and phone calls notifying them that the event will be at the courthouse. It has been moved to the Ed-Tech Center.

The visit is a whistle stop as the Senate minority leader wraps up his campaign against Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford. Crittenden County Judge-Executive Fred Brown said the senator will be here around 30 to 45 minutes.The public is invited.

Former President Bill Clinton will be in Paducah Friday campaigning for Lunsford.

Coroner investigating death

Crittenden County Coroner Joe Myers ordered an autopsy on an infant girl who died early Sunday morning in Marion. The autopsy was completed at the Kentucky Medical Examiner's office in Madisonville. There has been no determination that the two-month-old child died from abuse or any type of foul play; however, the case remains open and The Press is following closely the investigation. 

Olivia Leann Curnell was pronounced dead at 10:10 a.m., Sunday more than an hour after an ambulance was called to a West Elm Street home. The coroner said the girl appeared to have died several hours before the ambulance arrived.

The Press printed edition will have more details. It will be on the streets Wednesday afternoon.

Campbell obituary

Daniel Ray Campbell, 25, of Marion died Saturday at Madisonville. Visitation is Monday at Gilbert Funeral Home. The funeral is Tuesday.

Campbell was a 2002 graduate of Crittenden County High School where he was a member of the football and baseball teams.

Hicks obituary

Roy Hicks, 78, of Marion died Friday night at Crittenden Hospital. Visitation is Sunday at Myers Funeral Home. Funeral is at 11 am Monday. His wife, Lois Hicks, is among the survivors.

Powder Puff football

Here is a video slide show of last week's powder puff football game as part of the annual homecoming activities at Crittenden County High School.

Relay for Life kickoff meeting slated

Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s national signature activity, is on the move again in the area.

A meeting to acquaint potential participants with the overnight late-spring event has been scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday at Marion Baptist Church Family Life Center.
This year’s Relay for Life of Crittenden County will be held on May 8, 2009 at Marion-Crittenden County Park. At last year’s event, more than 100 people participated and raised more than $18,000. 

Teams of eight to 15 people each participate by sponsoring various money-raising events prior to the Relay, then take turns at the event itself walking or running around the track so that at least one person from each team is on the track during the event. More than five teams took part in last year’s event.

Entertainment is provided by local musical groups. The purpose of the Relay is to seek funds to help fight cancer and to bring about greater awareness of the disease.

The kickoff is open to the entire community.

“We encourage anyone interested in Relay for Life or just learning more about the American Cancer Society to attend,” said Stephanie Elder, regional Relay coordinator for the American Cancer Society in Paducah.

Relay for Life teams, sponsors, cancer survivors, and the entire Crittenden County community is welcome. Dinner and dessert will be provided by the planning committee. Team captain packets will be available for those interested in forming a Relay for Life team this year.

Contact Sue Padget at 704-1558 or Frank Blackburn at 705-1419 if you would like more information on kickoff or the 2009 Relay for Life of Crittenden County.

Bobcats will return to diamond in 2009

When the summer sun begins to bear down on Marion, the umpires will be back to dust off home plate for another season of Bobcats baseball.

"That's good news to me," said die-hard fan Lefty Towery Monday upon learning of the team's return. "I love it."

General Manager Gordon Guess confirmed Monday that a second season of summer collegiate league baseball will return to the city in 2009. The decision was finalized over the weekend with support from an overwhelming majority of the team's 21 investors.

“It looks like the experiment has pretty much worked,” Guess said of the effort to field and keep a squad in an organized baseball league.

He said it appears the Bobcats will join the rest of the KIT League line-up from last season – Owensboro, Fulton and Tradewater (Dawson Springs) in Kentucky; Union City, Tenn; Farmington, Mo. – with the additions of Sikeston, Mo., and Olney, Ill., possible. Depending on the number of teams in the league, the Bobcats will likely play a 49- or 50-game schedule in June and July.

Steve Fowler will return as manager for the Bobcats, as well as eight or nine players from the final 2008 season roster.

One of the returning investors calls the decision a win for the community.

“We feel like it has more benefit than the dollars reflect,” said Charlie Hunt, co-owner of Marion Feed Mill. “I think the community enjoyed having the team here.”