Historical museum opens Wednesday

The Marion High School Memory Room is one of the most visited displays
in Crittenden County Historical Museum.

Crittenden County Historical Museum will open Wednesday for the 2015 season.

The museum on East Bellville Street in Marion will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Wednesday through Saturday until it closes for the season in October. Admission to the museum is free, though donations help keep the museum doors open.

Bernice Maroney will reprise her role as curator of the facility.

Litter abatement crews working roadways

Several litter pickup contractors for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have started work along interstates and parkways across western Kentucky. There are some state highways included in the litter pickup program.

Abatement of trash is expected to continue in these places throughout April. Appropriate caution is required where equipment, flaggers, and litter pickup personnel are along the roadway in close proximity to traffic flow.

Deckert found guilty of manslaughter

Britt Deckert

A Crittenden Circuit Court jury has found Britt Deckert, 28, of Marion guilty of manslaughter in the Aug. 1, 2013, death of his half-brother A.J. Vasseur.

Deckert avoided the much stiffer murder conviction which was sought by the commonwealth. The defendant was also found guilty of fourth-degree assault against the victim's wife and wanton endangerment for the crime he committed in the presence of the widow's daughter.

The jury will now go back into deliberations in order to recommend a punishment for the crime. First-degree manslaughter generally carries a penalty of 10-20 years in prison.

SEE THIS WEEK'S CRITTENDEN PRESS PRINTED EDITION FOR the latest from the trial.

Jury get case in Deckert murder trial

Prosecutor Zac Greenwell makes his closing statement while
KSP Det. Matt Foster shows the alleged murder weapon
to the jury at Crittenden County Courthouse.

Testimony ended this afternoon and the jury got the case at 2:30pm in the Britt Deckert murder trial, which has consumed three full days in Crittenden Circuit Court.

The trial began last Thursday as Deckert, 28, faced one count of murder, one count of assault and one count of wanton endangerment. The charges stem from the death of his half-brother AJ Vasseur during a confrontation Aug. 1, 2013 at a home they shared on West Depot Street, injuries to the defendant's sister-in-law and the danger he allegedly created while his step-niece was in the house.

For details of the trial, see this week's Crittenden Press printed edition.

Deckert takes stand in his murder trial

Testimony in the Britt Deckert murder trial resumed this morning at 10:30am following about two hours of behind-the-scenes legal maneuverings by both sides. Once the jury was called to the courtroom, Phyllis Caroline Vasseur, now known as Emmabelle Caroline Deckert, was recalled as a witness for the defense.

The defennd then took the stand.

Deckert, 27, is accused of killing his half-brother AJ Vasseur with what some have described as a Wolverine type claw – a reference to the fictional superhero of comic books and movies.

Today proclaimed Vietnam Veterans Day in Ky.

Gov. Steve Beshear has signed a proclamation naming today as Vietnam Veterans Day in Kentucky.

“During the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration, it is important that we encourage Kentuckians to reach out to the Vietnam Veterans in our communities to recognize, honor and thank them,” said Heather French Henry, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA). “Vietnam Veterans’ Day is a reminder for everyone to do so every day.”

A total 1,109 Kentuckians died in Vietnam, including six from Crittenden County, and their names are inscribed at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Frankfort, where the shadow of a giant gnomon falls on each veteran’s name on the anniversary of death. Kentucky’s memorial was the first in the nation to use a sundial design, and it still draws visitors from across the country to marvel at its simplicity and meaning.

There are 118,000 Vietnam veterans still live in the Commonwealth, and many continue to serve their communities and fellow veterans through volunteerism, counseling and camaraderie.
Kentucky’s Vietnam veterans and their families gave much, asked for little and deserve our utmost respect and dedicated support, KDVA Commissioner Henry said.

“On Monday, please reach out to the Vietnam veterans in your community and let them know you respect their service and sacrifice,” she said. “Then keep that respect and appreciation in your heart and your actions throughout the year.”

The Crittenden Press would like to thank all of our veterans who served during the Vietnam War for their service to their fellow Americans.

Road work on Ky. 937 starts Monday

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict traffic to one lane along sections of Ky. 937/Cut Off Road in Livingston County Monday to allow prep work for a milling and paving project the following week.

Lane restrictions along Ky. 937 are to prepare for milling and paving between U.S. 60 and Ky. 453/Iuka Road. The contractor plans to start milling and paving on April 6. Paving is expected to take two or three working days, weather permitting.

Base repairs were completed along this section in December to prepare for this resurfacing project.

The contractor plans to phase the work so as to minimize disruptions to school traffic. The paving portion of the work will be completed during spring break so as not to interfere with traffic to and from South Livingston Elementary, which is along this section.

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

Jim Smith Contracting of Grand Rivers is the prime contractor on this $448,636 highway improvement project.

Cardinals look to join Wildcats in Final Four

The University of Louisville men's basketball team tips off this afternoon in the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y., against Michigan State in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

The Cardinals (27-8) are the No. 4 seed in the East Region, while the Spartans (26-11) are a No. 7 seed.

The game is scheduled to begin at 1:20 p.m. on CBS.

All state highways in county open

With floodwaters receding ever closer to below flood stage, all state highways and the Cave In Rock Ferry are now open in Crittenden County.

Cave In Rock Ferry re-opening Saturday

This photo was taken the day the ferry
closed, earlier this month.

Floodwaters on the Ohio River have dropped sufficiently to allow the Cave In Rock Ferry to resume operation starting at 6 a.m., Saturday, March 28.

Rising floodwaters forced the ferry to halt operations March 12.  Ferry Operator Lonnie Lewis says the ferry crew has taken advantage of the break to perform maintenance and even do some painting on the boat and barge.

Trial recesses until Monday morning

Sgt. Matthew Jordan shows the jury
the claw-like weapon that police
believe Deckert used in an alleged
attack on his half brother.

Judge Rene Williams has recessed the Britt Deckert murder trial in Crittenden Circuit Court until 8:30am Monday.

Prosecutor Zac Greenwell rested the commonwealth's case against Deckert shortly before 5pm Friday after two days of testimony from a variety of witnesses and experts. Among those testifying on Friday were medical examiners and Matt Foster, the state police's lead detective.

Deckert's court-appointed attorneys began their defense late on Friday, calling three witnesses in fewer than 15 minutes, before the trial was put on hold until next week. Expected to testify for the defense on Monday are fewer than four people, among them the defendant's father.

Judge Williams told the jury on Friday that she believes the case can be wrapped up Monday, as previously scheduled.

Deckert, 28, is accused of killing his half-brother AJ Vasseur in August 2013 with what some have described as a Wolverine type claw – a reference to the fictional superhero of comic books and movies. He is also accused of assaulting Vasseur's wife.

UK seeking Final Four berth

The Kentucky men's basketball team tips off Saturday evening in Cleveland, Ohio, against Notre Dame in the Midwest Region championship game of the NCAA Tournament.

The Wildcats (37-0) are the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, while the Fighting Irish (32-5) are a No. 3 seed. The winner advances to the Final Four next weekend in Indianapolis, Ind.

Kentucky is seeking the first perfect season in NCAA basketball since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers. No team in NCAA history has gone a perfect 40-0.

The game is scheduled to begin at 7:49 p.m. on TBS.

UofL Sweet 16 game tips off on TBS

The University of Louisville men's basketball team tips off this evening in the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y., against North Carolina State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

The Cardinals (26-8) are the No. 4 seed in the East Region, while the Wolfpack (22-13) are a No. 8 seed.

The game is scheduled to begin at 6:37 p.m. on TBS.

Ky. AG issues information to MCU students

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway today issued important information to current or former students of Mid-Continent University (MCU).

Within the next week, MCU is sending letters to students who did not anticipate the receipt of federal student loans. It is offering the students two discounted repayment options - a 10-year loan at a 20-percent discount and a single cash payment at a 30-percent discount.

If a student receives this letter and believes that he or she applied and qualified for federal student loans to cover any portion or all of the balance, the student should not complete the repayment paperwork. He or she should immediately inform MCU that he or she anticipated federal student loans to cover all or a portion of the MCU balance.  

Once the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General finalizes its agreement with MCU, students who anticipated the receipt of federal student loans will receive a separate packet offering the two discounted repayment options, plus the option of a loan matching the terms of federal student loans. Those terms provide consumer protections for students that include; in-school deferment, forbearance, and flexible repayment options. This packet will also include information about applying for closed school discharges of MCU balances.

If students have any questions about repayment or their obligations, they may e-mail the Office of the Attorney General at mcu3@ky.gov. They may also leave a message at (502) 696-5395. Students leaving a message should say and spell their full name and provide a telephone number and e-mail address. You may also mail the Office of Consumer Protection, 1024 Capital Center Drive, Frankfort, KY  40601.

Please continue to check the Office of the Attorney General website at www.ag.ky.gov for more information.

Career opportunity with local agency

Career OpportunityPartners Insurance Agency in Marion is growing and we are seeking a full time office and sales individual seeking a long-term career and willing to obtain required insurance license. 

We offer competitive pay and benefits package.

Your main mission as our Customer Sales and Service Representative will be to work the front lines of client sales and service and leave a positive impression with current and prospective clients.

Must be self-motivated, have strong interpersonal skills, be able to multi-task and have a courteous and professional demeanor. 

Bring resumes to our office at 221 East Bellville Street in Marion, KY or email your resume to info@partnersinsurancemarion.com.

Day 2 of testimony to begin shortly

Detective Matt Foster (left) and Commonwealth
Attorney Zac Greenwell confer Friday morning
before testimony began.

Jurors were in their seats at 8am this morning at Crittenden County Courthouse, but some behind-the-scenes legal maneuvering by attorneys briefly delayed the start of the second day of testimony in the Britt Deckert murder trial.

Deckert, 28, is accused of killing his half-brother AJ Vasseur with what some have described as a Wolverine type claw – a reference to the fictional superhero of comic books and movies.

The prosecution put Vasseur's wife and step-daughter on the stand Thursday (each was witness to the alleged crime. Vasseur's wife was also allegedly assaulted during the altercation). On Friday, the state is expected to get into the meat of its physical and forensic evidence with state police detective Matt Foster expected to take the stand.

The trial is scheduled to wrap up on Monday.

Crash blocking Interstate 24

UPDATE: As of 11:10 a.m., the site had been cleared.

There is a semi crash blocking the eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 at the 13-mile marker in McCracken County.

According to McCracken 911 Dispatch, the truck was hauling a large piece of equipment and has overturned. Some other vehicles hit the piece of equipment.  Removing the equipment from the roadway will require special recovery efforts.

The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m.

Eastbound I-24 traffic is being detoured off at Exit 11.

Traffic is backed up for miles. The road could remain blocked until late morning or mid-day.

Ferry remains closed

The Cave In Rock Ferry remains closed this morning due to high water.

Healthcare Organization: Local job opening

Biller / Collector

Crittenden Health Systems has an immediate opening for a Biller/Collector at Burkhart Rural Health Clinic in Salem, Ky. This position performs duties associated with insurance collection, i.e., filing claims, posting payments, follow up on denials, answers all inquirers concerning insurance from patients, insurance companies, etc. Candidates must be high school graduate or equivalent. Knowledge of CPT and ICD coding system preferred. Computer experience, including basic typing and word processing required. Experience in a physician’s office preferred. Please send resume to the HR Department, Crittenden Health Systems, PO Box 386, Marion, KY 42064. Or, you may apply online at www.crittenden-health.org. EOE.

Vehicle registration about to change

The vehicle registration system in Kentucky is

about to see an overhaul that will be very apparent

through changes to the decals and receipts.

Some time- and cost-saving changes to Kentucky’s vehicle registration system should be implemented across the commonwealth by the end of next month.

The vehicle registration system is changing to “print on demand” decals for license plate renewals. Instead of county clerks having to stock booklets of preprinted decals, the new decals will be printed at the time of registration.

“This process will save county clerk offices from having to keep preprinted boxes of registration decals,” said Rodney Kuhl, commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Regulation in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. “Now that decals can be printed on demand, the system becomes more efficient and more cost-effective.”

For the public, the most noticeable change will be that decals will no longer be color-coded by year. The registration receipt is also changing appearance.

For more on these changes, see this week's issue of The Crittenden Press.