WK Parkway traffic stoppage next week

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY - JUNE 6-7

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans a rolling road block and brief traffic stoppage which will disrupt traffic flow on the Western Kentucky Parkway near the Caldwell-Hopkins County Line on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

This work between Princeton and Dawson Springs will mean very slow traffic flow and idled delays of 20 to 30 minutes on June 6 and 7. The disruptions in traffic flow are to allow for reconstruction of the Ky. 2619 overpass.

Rolling road blocks will start about 9 a.m., each day, beginning about 6 miles from the work site. Traffic will be slowed to 10 miles per hour by police, creating about a half-hour break in traffic flow that will allow the contractor to erect portions of the new overpass structure. The contractor expects 4 or 5 rolling road blocks each day with a duration of about a half-hour each to place the bridge support structure.

Motorists should be alert for variable messages boards and appropriate signage as they approach this work zone. Travel delays of about 20 to 30 minutes are expected during each rolling road block.

The rolling road blocks and traffic stoppages on the westbound lanes are scheduled for Wednesday, June.  Police will assist with slowing and stopping westbound traffic with the first rolling road block to start about 9 a.m. The contractor will use the break in traffic created by the rolling road block to place beams for the new overpass above the westbound lanes.

During work along the westbound lanes, the westbound entry ramp at Ky. 109 Dawson Springs Exit 24 will be closed once each rolling road block starts. Some minor traffic stoppages may also be required to facilitate the work.

The rolling road blocks and traffic stoppages on the eastbound lanes are scheduled for Thursday, June 7. Police will assist with slowing and stopping eastbound traffic with the first rolling road block to start about 9 a.m. The contractor will use the break in traffic created by the rolling road block to place beams for the new overpass above the eastbound lanes.

Motorists who regularly travel this section of the parkway should be aware of this planned work and expect delays of about a half-hour during each rolling road block. Motorists may consider a self-detour via U.S. 62 which provides a parallel route.

This overpass replacement project is among several that will be required through the summer construction season as part of a $9.9 million contract  to bring this section of the former Western Kentucky Parkway up to federal standards now that it is part of Interstate 69.

Area death

William Douglas “Pete” LaRue Jr., 70, of Salem died Tuesday at Crittenden Hospital. Services are Saturday at Boyd Funeral Directors.

Four-minute delays tomorrow on Ledbetter bridge

 The Ledbetter bridge on U.S. 60 over the Tennessee River will be down to one lane of traffic from 8:30 a.m., to 3:30 p.m., tomorrow (Thursday).

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict traffic to one lane while the regular monthly inspection of the bridge is conducted.  

Monthly inspections have been in conducted since a three-ton load limit was placed on the bridge a few months ago. Alternating traffic flow will be controlled by flaggers. Travel delays should be minimal, generally less than 4 minutes. 

Youth girls' basketball camp this week

Young girls may participate in youth basketball camp at Rocket Arena this week. Camp is conducted from 9-11 a.m., by Lady Rocket Coach Shannon Hodge and members of the high school basketball team.

Area death

Willie Ray Plunkett, 72, of Marion died Saturday at his home. A memorial service will be held Thursday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Rockets fall in regional opener

Crittenden County lost 6-1 to Madisonville Monday in the Second Region Baseball Tournament at Henderson.

Area death

Rosemary Farmer, 78, of Marion died Friday at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah. Services are Tuesday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Eggners Ferry Bridge back open to traffic

Eggners Ferry Bridge at Aurora reopened to traffic today, following emergency repairs to replace a section of the bridge damaged several weeks ago by a large boat.

Before the bridge reopened to traffic, the public was allowed access to the bridge from 9 a.m. to noon.  Transportation officials estimate between 2,000 and 3.000 people took advantage of the unique opportunity to walk and bike across the bridge.

The Eggners Ferry Bridge, which carries U.S. 68/Ky. 80 across Kentucky Lake, was struck by the cargo ship Delta Mariner the night of Jan. 26, taking out A 322-foot-long span of the 80-year-old structure.

Rockets play Madisonville Monday in 2nd Region

Crittenden County High School's baseball team, pictured here after winning the Fifth District tournament earlier this week, will play Madisonville at 1 p.m., Monday (Memorial Day) in the Second Region Tournament at Henderson.

Judge issues countywide burn ban

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom has issued a countywide burn ban due to volatile conditions created by the ongoing drought.

The ban will not be lifted until the county receives at least two inches of rainfall within a 24-hour period, or sufficient moisture to ease dry conditions.

Truck crashes into Dycusburg house

A dump truck pulling a trailer with cargo crashed into a home near Dycusburg on Ky. 295 this morning.

No one was seriously hurt, and no one was living at the home, which is owned by Byron Jasis.

State police were on the scene. No other information was immediately available.

No driver's testing today

There will be no driver's testing today at the Crittenden County Courthouse.

Low water this weekend: Use Caution

With Memorial Day fast approaching boaters are urged to be cautious in low-water conditions at Lake Barkley this weekend.


Lake Barkley’s current level is at 357.4 feet, which is 1.6 feet below normal for this time of year.


Boaters should use caution and be on the lookout for obstructions that may be exposed or just beneath the water. Here are some additional safety tips that may be helpful to the public in low-and-normal water conditions. 


Boaters 
-- Stay within the marked navigational channels
-- Obey all posted signs, markers and navigational aids for your safety. Note that navigation buoys sometime drift off station. A navigation chart should be used to identify buoy locations.
-- Exercise caution at all times. Be on the lookout for shoals, stumps, or other navigational hazards that may now be exposed or lying just beneath the surface
-- Navigation maps are available for sale at local outdoor stores and department stores
-- Utilize depth finders if available
-- Wearing a life jacket can save your life
-- Boat sober - alcohol and water can be a deadly combination
-- Use caution around dams
-- Know before you go - be aware of the weather and the low-water conditions 
Swimmers 
-- Don’t swim in unfamiliar areas
-- Never dive from the shoreline, bank or structures
-- Be aware of underwater hazards such as stumps, rocks or other objects
-- Never swim alone
-- Don't exceed your swimming abilities - it's farther than you think
-- Watch your children closely
-- Lake swimming is different than being in a pool with the currents, varying water depths, and murky water. Be prepared for these conditions
-- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket
-- Don’t depend on floating or air-filled toys 
Water Skiers and Tubers 
-- Check the area for underwater hazards prior to activity
-- Stay within navigational channels
-- Have a responsible spotter
-- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket 

Fishtrap near county line closed Thursday

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close Ky. 132 (Fishtrap Road) in Webster County near the Webster-Crittenden Line on Thursday.

This closure, between the Tradewater Bridge and Crab Orchard Creek Road, is to allow the ongoing repair of several base failures in the Oak Grove Church area. The road is expected to close at about 8 a.m., and will re-open about 4:30 p.m.

Motorists who regularly travel this section of Fishtrap Road should make advance alternate travel plans for Thursday. No marked detour will be provided.

Guill wins clerk's race by landslide

Melissa Guill readies for an embrace from Deputy Clerk Lisa Beard after

the final precinct totals were announced Tuesday night at the Crittenden

County Courthouse, signaling her win in the clerk's race..

Deputy Circuit Court Clerk Melissa Guill has won the right for a promotion. She will take over in January as Crittenden County's Circuit Court Clerk.

Guill, 40, defeated Chamber President Vanda Hunt Adamson, 30, in Tuesday's Republican Primary for circuit court clerk. Guill will have no opposition in the fall general election.

Collecting 800 votes or 76 percent of the ballots cast in her election, Guill easily won the race.

Guill has served as second in command at the clerk's office for the last 10 years. Clerk Madeline Henderson has chosen not to seek re-election after serving in that position for 18 years. She is the longest tenured clerk in county history.

See complete county wrapup in this week's Crittenden Press printed edition.

Area deaths

Pauline L. Rushing, 88, of Marion, died Monday at Crittenden Health and Rehab. Services are Wednesday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion. Former Tiline Postmaster R.H. “Johnnie” Smith, 87, of Smithland died Saturday at Western Baptist Hospital. Services are today at Smith Funeral Chapel in Smithland. Former Dycusburg grocer Billy J. Martin, 78, died Saturday at Crittenden Hospital. Services are today at Dunn’s Funeral Home in Eddyville.

Election results online tonight

Polls open at 6 a.m., this morning and close at 6 p.m. Crittenden County voters are reminded of changes in the Dycusburg, Frances and Mexico voting precincts. Here is a list of the polling places.

Tonight's primary election results will be posted here as soon as they are available from the county clerk, probably around 7:30 p.m.


Polling Places in Crittenden County

• Marion 1 Courthouse basement
• Marion 2 Emmanuel Baptist Church
• Marion 3 Marion Baptist Church
• Marion 4 Crittenden Elementary School
• Fords Ferry 5 Crittenden County Gun Club
• Marion 6 St. William Catholic Church
• Frances 7 Mexico Baptist Church
• Frances 8 Frances Liberty Lodge 580
• Sheridan 9 Deer Creek Baptist Church
• Tolu 10 Tolu Community Center
• Rosebud 11 Mattoon Fire Department
• Shady Grove 12 Shady Grove Fire Department

Call 965-3403 for information

Spring Sports: Post-season action

In post-season baseball action Monday night, Crittenden County beat Lyon County 10-0 at Eddyville. The Rockets play Livingston Central at 6 p.m., Tuesday for the Fifth District championship.

The Lady Rockets softball team lost 8-6 in seven innings Monday at Lyon County, ending their season.

Crittenden junior Thomas Scott finished ninth late last week in the Class A State Track and Field Meet at Louisville.

Read more about these sports events in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Welcome Cowpatties to the Web

The Crittenden Press Online welcomes its newest web partner, Patty's Cowpatties of Smithland. 

Patty Downey and her husband Mike moved to Marion last summer and last week officially opened a gourmet cookie company. 

Visit their Web site pattyscowpatties.com where you can learn more about the business, which features beautiful packaging ideal for birthdays, baby showers and corporate gifts. 

Daily delivery available in Marion and Salem, as well as shipping throughout the United States.

Accident causing traffic problems on WKP

UPDATE: All lanes now open. Two taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

There is a crash on the Western Kentucky Parkway in Caldwell County near Princeton.

Eastbound/northbound traffic is blocked at the 12-mile marker due to a two-vehicle accident.

This is in the work zone at the KY 293 Exit 12 overpass.

Westbound/southbound traffic is reported as moving at this time.

Motorists should use caution in the area.  A detour may be set up shortly.

Estimated duration is 2 hours.