School's winding down...

This week's Crittenden Press will include all sorts of information about what's happening and what's gone on the last few days as school begins to wind down. Graduation is next Friday, May 10.

Baccalaureate is next Wednesday, May 8 and Class Night is Thursday May 9.

Here a group of youngsters in the preschool class put on a show after last week's PTO meeting at CCES.

Area death

Lorene Henderson, 88, of Marion, died April 25, 2013, at Christian Care Center of Kuttawa. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Farmer pleads not guilty to fed charges

Former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges that he misused more than $450,000 of state money and property during his eight years as Kentucky's top agriculture official. Farmer, a former University of Kentucky basketball player whose retired jersey hangs in Rupp Arena, appeared Thursday afternoon with his attorney, J. Guthrie True, at the federal courthouse in Lexington. A grand jury has charged Farmer, 43, with four counts of misappropriating property and money, and one count of soliciting property to influence agriculture department business.

For the full story, visit The Herald-Leader online.

House introduces congressional term limits bill

Representative Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution today which would limit the number of terms that a member of Congress may serve to three in the House of Representatives and two in the Senate. This is according to U.S Term Limits, a non-partisan, non-profit advocacy organization that works to promote term limits at all levels of government.

Term limits for members of Congress has been spotlighted in recent weeks as former Senator and Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman announced that after reflection on his 24 years in office that he now supported term limits.

The Lieberman statement was followed by a polls conducted by the Gallup Organization released last week showing that the American people would vote for congressional term limits by a 75–21 margin.

Phil Blumel, president of U.S. Term Limits, the nation's largest term limits advocacy group, called on Congress to send the Constitutional Amendment to the states for them to decide saying, "The public clearly wants term limits, and it is the ultimate conflict of interest for federal elected officials to prevent the states from making the decision on whether their own terms should be limited."

Representative Salmon is introducing the amendment on a tide of public dissatisfaction with Congress, and Blumel believes this public outcry may break the log jam that has prevented consideration stating, "Many members of Congress are hearing from their constituents that they want the tough issues in D.C. to be acted upon rather than a continual kicking of the can down the road. In this context, they are realizing that a constitutional amendment limiting terms for members of Congress may be the only way to make our political system work again.

"Now, Congress faces a crisis. The people hold the legislative branch of our federal government in such low regard largely because they believe that they are no longer represented by fellow citizens but instead by professional politicians. It is time to change this. It is time to put citizens back in charge. It is time to pass congressional term limits."

Senator David Vitter (R-La.) has introduced the same congressional term limits amendment in the U.S. Senate.

To become part of the U.S. Constitution, the amendment requires a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress and ratification by three quarters or 38 out of 50 states.

Richie Farmer indicted by federal grand jury

UPDATE: Farmer was originally scheduled to be arraigned next week, but a judge has moved up the arraignment date to Thursday.

A federal grand jury has indicted former Agriculture Secretary Richie Farmer for allegedly misusing property and funds during his eight years at the helm of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. A grand jury charged Farmer, 43, with four counts of misappropriating property and one count of soliciting property to influence agriculture department business. Each charge has a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The indictment follows a string of ethical and legal troubles for the former University of Kentucky basketball standout and one-time Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.

For the full story, visit The Herald Leader online.

U.S. 641 work will restrict traffic flow

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict traffic to one lane on U.S. 641 in southern Crittenden County starting Monday. The work was supposed to start today, but adverse weather conditions have delayed the work.

This lane restriction is to allow shoulder work along U.S. 641 starting at the Crittenden-Caldwell County line at mile-point 0.0 and working northward to Marion at about the 7-mile marker.

Motorists can expect to encounter one lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers between about 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. each weekday.  The work is expected to take about a week to complete, weather permitting. Delays are likely during this extensive shoulder work.

Motorists should use appropriate caution where equipment, flaggers, and maintenance personnel are along the roadway in close proximity to traffic flow.

No serious injuries in morning accident

A Union County man was injured in a single-vehicle, injury accident that occurred at 7:30 a.m., this morning on US 60 East, approximately five miles east of Marion.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that Darrian Smith, 23 of Sturgis was operating a 2007 Dodge Caliber eastbound when he failed to negotiate a curve.  The vehicle exited the left side of the roadway and overturned several times. It came to rest on its top off the roadway.  

Smith, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported via ambulance to the Crittenden Hospital for treatment. There were no passengers.

Trooper First Class Darron Holliman investigated the collision. The Mattoon Volunteer Fire Department, Crittenden County Rescue, Crittenden County EMS, and the State Highway Department assisted at the scene.

Project Graduation selling pizza kits

Crittenden County Project Graduation Class of 2013 is now selling Little Caesars pizza kits for a limited time. Contact any member of the 2013 graduating class or a parent of a graduating senior to purchase your Little Caesars pizza kit today.

Area death

Lawrence Eugene Bryan, 62, of Hampton, died April 21, 2013, at his home. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond Carter Watson, 81, of Marion, died April 22, 2013, at Crittenden County Health and Rehabilitation Center in Marion. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Area death

Doyle C. Walker, 91, of Eddyville, died April 21, 2013, in Christian Care Center in Kuttawa. Lakeland Funeral Home Chapel in Eddyville is in charge of arrangements.

Ohio River flood warning issued

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Crittenden County. The flood warning continues for the Ohio River at Shawneetown, Ill., from Monday afternoon through Thursday. At 10:30 a.m. today the river stage was 30.7 feet. Flood stage is 33.0 feet. Minor flooding is forecast.

The river is expected to rise above flood stage by Monday afternoon and continue to rise to near 34.2 feet by early Wednesday morning. Minor flooding will occur, affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding low lying areas. The Ohio River should fall below flood stage by Thursday evening.

Cave In Rock Ferry operation is not affected until the river stage is 44.5 feet.

Photography club meets Tuesday

Reese Baker will be the speaker for the Crittenden County Extension Service Photography Club meeting Tuesday at the EdTech Center.  His topic is storing photos online. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.

The club is open to all ages and skill levels.

Southbound traffic to be affected by U.S. 41 Ohio River bridge work

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict southbound traffic to one lane on the U.S. 41 Twin Bridges between Henderson and Evansville, Ind., on Monday.

This southbound lane restriction is to allow the repair of a section hand railing that was knocked off the bridge by a recent traffic crash. Southbound traffic will be restricted to one lane starting at about 8:30 a.m. Monday. The lane restriction is expected to be in place about three to five hours to allow the railing repairs.

The U.S. 41 Twin Bridges, also known as the Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Memorial Bridges, are located at U.S. 41 mile-point 19.649 about a mile south of the Kentucky-Indiana state line. They carry approximately 37,000 vehicles per day across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville.

Frost advisory issued for tonight

The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory effect from midnight to 8 a.m. Saturday. Temperatures are expected to fall into the upper 20s to mid-30s later tonight and very early Saturday. Widespread frost will likely occur over much of western Kentucky. Some locations may even experience a freeze. A frost advisory means that frost is expected. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.

CCES operating on limited power

An underground power line is damaged near Crittenden County Elementary School, causing the school to operate on one-third of its normal power today.

There is no indication at this time that school will be let out early due to this situation.

Area deaths

Rugena Marie Etters Owen, 69, of Paducah, died April 17, 2013, at her home. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Sheila Jean Scarbrough, 49, of Salem, died April 18, 2013, at Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services in Salem. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Three departments respond to house fire

A house fire on A.T. Crider drew the response of Marion, Crittenden County and Mattoon fire departments this afternoon.

The house was fully engulfed when firemen arrived.

The home belonged to Phillip and Julie Wright. She was home when the fire started, but was able to escape.

Noel declares for NBA draft, UK says

KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Nerlens Noel will enter the NBA draft and not return to the University of Kentucky for his sophomore season.

The announcement was made Monday by the university on its men's basketball website. The announcement came as no surprised as it had been widely anticipated that Noel would enter the draft despite his season-ending torn ACL.

"I support Nerlens' decision to enter his name in the draft and am excited for him and his future," UK Coach John Calipari said in the university's news release. "The hard work and will to win he showed on the floor this year and the dedication and attitude he has shown in his rehab will only be a reward for him and whatever team drafts him in June."

"I have loved my time at Kentucky, but I feel that I'm ready to take the next step to the NBA," Noel said in the news release. "I've learned so much here at UK and am thankful for Coach (John) Calipari, the staff and my teammates for all of their support. I especially appreciate the Big Blue Nation and all of the support, prayers and well-wishes I've received from them during my rehab and decision-making process. I'll always be a Wildcat!"

Noel, an Everett, Mass., native, led the nation in blocks as he averaged 4.4 rejections per game and tallied 106 in 24 games played. Prior to his season-ending knee injury he was the only player standing taller than 6-foot-5 to rank in the top 30 in steals per outing as he had accumulated 50 steals on the year.

He averaged 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. His rebounds and blocked shots led the Southeastern Conference, while he also ranked among the top-10 players in steals per game, defensive rebounds per game, offensive rebounds per game and minutes played per game.

Noel finished the season ranked second in UK single-season history with 106 blocks. His 50 steals ranked as the fifth most in a single season by a freshman. His .590 field-goal percentage is the ninth-best mark in school history, while his steals per game (2.1) is the seventh-best mark in school history, the news release said.Lexington -

Area deaths

Hilda Mae Woodall Alexander, 89, of Marion, died Sunday at Crittenden County Health and Rehab. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Earl Head, 70, of Providence, died April 15, 2013, in Evansville, Ind.  Jones & Erdman in Providence is in charge of arrangements.

Hazel Rhea Turley Owen, 94, of Fredonia, died April 13, 2013, at Crittenden County Health and Rehab Center in Marion. Dunn’s Funeral Home in Eddyville is in charge of arrangements.

Kentucky Grazing School set for this week in Princeton

The spring Kentucky Grazing School will be held  Wednesday and Thursday at the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center in Princeton.

The two-day school features UK faculty and staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service specialists, industry personnel and farmers as leaders and speakers. The cost is $50, which includes notebook, all conference materials, breaks and two lunches.

For a  brochure, which includes a list of speakers and topics along with directions, contact the Crittenden County Extension Office at 965-5236.  Due to limited enrollment, pre-registration is required.  Registration information is included in the brochure.