What's New in Marion this Week...

Here are few of the articles you find in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press:

• Par 4 is hosting a Relay for Life beauty pageant. But the contestants will shock you.
• Red Cross is looking for some help. Are you willing to volunteer?
• Baptist show their hearts with special Valentine's event.
• Another CCHS student is playing collegiate athletics.
• Tolu is attracting some authors for a Feb. 21 event.
• Also in this week's newspaper is our annual Pet Special Section.

The newspaper is on sale now at newsstands. Click here to subscribe.

Hey! Have you heard about the Rockets?

Rocket coach Denis Hodge.

In case you haven't heard, Crittenden County's boys and girls basketball teams are both having great seasons. In fact,
their records are among the best in school history.

This week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press includes a close look at just where this year's teams stack up against some of the other great seasons at CCHS. Newspaper will be on sale this afternoon.

The teams wrap up the regular season next week, and Friday's game is Homecoming as St. Mary comes to Rocket Arena. Crowning of the queen starts at 5:30 p.m.

Friday will also be the induction ceremony for the Class 2014 Athletics Hall of Fame. Being inducted are football greats Von Summers and Joey Rich. Don't miss it.

Tomorrow: Air Evac Info - Registration Day

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Fast action at school saved a man's life

Thanks to a quick response by school officials who were trained and had access to a portable defibrillator, a
basketball referee's life was spared.

Don't miss the articles in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press that detail what exactly happened when John B. Travis, 54, of Hopkinsville collapsed at a ball game last week and why school officials were perfectly ready to handle the situation.

The newspaper will be on sale later this afternoon at area groceries, convenience stores and drug stores.

Dam 50 boat ramp hearing tomorrow

There will be a public hearing in Marion Thursday to discuss a planned project to build a boat ramp at Riverview Park (also known as the Dam 50 Area). 

Local officials hope that interested persons will attend the meeting and provide feedback regarding the proposed project on the Ohio River.

This will be a brief hearing to discuss a grant application to help pay for the plan. The meeting opens at 10 a.m., in the fiscal court courtroom on the main floor of the Crittenden County Courthouse. 

Poverty in Crittenden County

Crittenden County ranks among the most poverty stricken counties in all of western Kentucky.

This week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press takes a deep look at where our county stands and why. You will hear from experts and local leaders who have ideas on the causes and perhaps some remedies.

Don't miss this revealing in-depth article on poverty in your community.

The Crittenden Press printed edition will be on sale this afternoon. Stay tuned to today's Web for more snippets of what you can expect in this week's newspaper.

Johnson's: American Worker Appreciation Sale

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AG asks Anthem to give information about data breach

Attorney General Jack Conway and nine other state attorneys general from across the country joined in a letter sent to Anthem's president and chief executive officer today, expressing concern that the company's delay in notifying those impacted by the data breach is causing unnecessary added concern to Anthem customers.

"We are asking Anthem to provide further information without unnecessary delay to those whose personal information was impacted by the data breach," said Attorney General Conway. "We believe that Anthem must provide details to those customers affected by the breach and tell them how to access the credit monitoring and identity theft protections that the company has said it will provide to them."

The attorneys general of Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, led by the state of Connecticut, have joined the letter.

For a list of tips Attorney General Conway offered to Anthem customers, visit http://1.usa.gov/16OvwrU.

Area death

Barbara Miniard 74, of Marion died Monday at Lourdes Hospital. The funeral is Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home. See this week's Crittenden Press for further details.

Reward for missing dog

This dog has been missing since Friday morning from 407 Fords Ferry Road. $500 reward offered for its return. Call 270-704-1204.

FINAL DAYS: Johnson's Mattress Sale

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Married Couples: Don't Miss this Opportunity

EVENT INCLUDES MEAL

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Future kindergarten parents asked to take survey

If your child will enter kindergarten in the 2015-16 school year, Crittenden County Schools needs your help.

To determine the number of teachers needed for kindergarten classes, Crittenden County Elementary School is asking parents of next year’s kindergarten students to complete an online form.

The link to the six-question form is located on the school district’s main website and can be accessed at www.crittenden.kyschools.us. School officials estimate it should take less than 5 minutes to complete.

For questions on kindergarten pre-registration, contact Tonya Driver, Instructional Supervisor, at (270) 965-3525.

Church's center is open to public

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$500 Reward for Missing Dog

This dog has been missing since Friday morning from 407 Fords Ferry Road. $500 reward offered for its return. Call 270-704-1204.

Area death

Longtime Peoples Bank employee Charles Ray Aldridge has died. He was 87. Aldridge passed away Saturday at a Madisonville nursing home. The funeral will be Tuesday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Valentine Specials Starting Monday!

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State police warn of phone scam

The Kentucky State Police is advising all citizens to beware of phone scams requesting financial donations for fallen police officers.

KSP Post 2 in Madisonville has documented a number of people who reported receiving calls from someone who states he is with KSP or another police professional fundraiser. His goal is to try to obtain donations (credit or bank card information) for fallen officers who have died in the line of duty. When asked for more information about his authenticity, he hangs-up. Complainants advise the caller may identify himself as "Rick" and calls from a 270 area code.

The investigation is in its early stages, but this number is likely a Skype account originating overseas. KSP does not and will not ask anyone for any banking or personal information. (Although KSP is currently involved in raising funds for a fallen trooper memorial, it does not engage in cold call telemarketing activities.)

KSP recommends treating every solicitation call as a scam until proven otherwise. The best and proper way to determine the legitimacy of a charitable organization is to check with the Kentucky Attorney General's office by calling (502) 696-5300 or visiting their website at: ag.ky.gov. By law, every charitable organization must be registered with the AG's office.

The Better Business Bureau may also be a viable option to check as well.

It also should be noted that it is illegal for any lottery and/or a sweepstakes to request that you send money (for any reason). Furthermore, all foreign lotteries and/or sweepstakes are illegal.

Scams come in various forms and are always evolving into newer areas. KSP offers the following tip-offs to help avoid phone scams:

• If it sounds too good to be true, it often is.
• High pressure sales or frequent calls.
• Immediate decision/action required (You must act now with no time to decide or research for that matter.)
• Requests a credit or debit card or any banking account information.
• Offers to send someone to your home or to overnight something.
• Offers something for free.
• Is unresponsive to questions or too quick to answer by cutting you off.
• Offers an investment without a risk. (Every investment holds some form of risk.)
• Will not provide written information or references. (Maybe hangs up when asked for written information.)
• Not registered with the Attorney General's Office.

Basketball referee is improving

The basketball referee from Hopkinsville who collapsed at the high school game Tuesday in Marion is improving. He remains hospitalized in Paducah, but his family said he is awake and talking.

See more about this matter in next week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

ATV collides with car in Salem

A minor operating an ATV was sent to the hospital Thursday evening for treatment of minor injuries following a collision with vehicle on a major highway in Salem.

According to Kentucky State Police, John Blazina of Marion was headed east on U.S. 60 in a Nissan Altima when a juvenile operating an ATV attempted to cross the highway and collided with the front driver's side of Blazina's vehicle. The impact caused Blazina to lose control of his car, exit the right side of the highway and come to a final rest in a field.

The accident occurred in the 1900 block of U.S. 60.

Blazina was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured.

Meantime, the juvenile operating the ATV was transported to Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services in Salem for treatment of his injuries. The youth was not wearing a helmet.

The collision investigation continues by Trooper Cody Cecil.

Kentucky State Police was assisted at the scene by Livingston County EMS, Crittenden County EMS and Salem Volunteer Fire Department.