Area death

Charles Osbourn “Papaw Wahoo” Sunderland, 73, of Marion died Saturday at Crittenden Health Systems in Marion. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

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$50 spay, neuter vouchers offered Saturday

Crittenden County Animal Shelter will be selling vouchers for discounted spaying or neutering of pets from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the shelter behind the county road department headquarters on U.S. 60 just east of Marion. 

Residents of Crittenden, Livingston and Lyon counties are eligible to purchase the vouchers, which can be used for cats or dogs at several participating area veterinarians. The cost for each voucher is $50, and it must be used within 90 days with no refunds available. 

For further information, contact the shelter at (270) 969-1054.

Police say man and woman still at large

State and local authorities say a man and woman wanted in several area counties, including Crittenden, remain at large.

State and local law enforcement have beefed up patrols in the Piney and Shady Grove areas of Crittenden County.

The two are believed to be hiding out in the area where Crittenden, Webster, Caldwell and Hopkins counties all converge. 

Police say residents should remain vigilant, yet be safe while doing so. 

The man, Christopher Adam Sheridan, has been at large since he was first sought by Webster County authorities for a parole violation in early May. The woman, Brooke Stevens, was arrested during an alleged burglary May 11 at a Crittenden County church and an accomplice (believed to have been Sheridan) escaped from the scene. Stevens later bonded out of jail and did not appear in Crittenden District Court for a scheduled arraignment Wednesday. Authorities think she has reconnected with Sheridan and the two may be "living off the land," according to Crittenden County Sheriff Wayne Agent. 

See previous post for more information.

WANTED
•Christopher Adam Sheridan, 31, is 5-foot-11, 214 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He is wanted for parole violation in Webster County and has been indicted on a separate burglary charge in Webster County. He is also wanted for questioning regarding burglaries in Crittenden, Caldwell and Hopkins counties.

•Brooke Stevens, 34, is wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear in Crittenden County and on an outstanding Webster County warrant. She is 5-7, weighs 135 pounds.

State police seeking suspect

Click to enlarge

Kentucky State Police are seeking a suspect with knowns ties to Livingston County.

Justin Wayne Goad, whose last known address was in Paducah, is wanted on several charges, including burglary, criminal trespassing, criminal mischief and theft. He is a 26-year-old white mail.

Click on the image of the poster above to enlarge for further details.

Some postage rates to go up Sunday

New postage rates for select mail classes and services will go into effect Sunday.

The cost to send a one ounce First Class letter will not be increasing and will remain 49 cents. Additional ounces will cost 22 cents, a penny increase from 2014. Postcard rates will increase by one cent to 35 cents, from 34 cents in 2014.

For a guide on new postal rates, download the "2015 USPS Postage Rate Increase Guide."

Area death

Janet Ellen Godman, 68, died May 28, 2015, at Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services in Salem. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Comer concedes election

Bevin
GOP nominee for governor

Kentucky's primary elections are finally decided 10 days after the polling took place.

Statewide recanvasses conducted Thursday did not change the results of the Republican primaries for governor/lieutenant governor and commissioner of agriculture. Today, James Comer and Chris McDaniel conceded the gubernatorial election, and no recount will be conducted. Accordingly, the State Board will certify Matt Bevin and Jenean Hampton as Republican nominees for governor/lieutenant governor and Ryan Quarles as the Republican nominee for Commissioner of Agriculture.

“Our 120 county clerks and county boards of elections did an outstanding job in quickly and accurately confirming the results of the election,” said Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. “I am grateful to them for ensuring that voters and candidates alike can be confident in the integrity and reliability of Kentucky’s elections.”

Today, Grimes announced that the State Board of Elections will meet on June 8 to certify the results of the May 19 primary election and issue certificates of nomination to the candidates who received the most votes.

Vote totals for all elections remain unofficial until certified by the State Board of Elections.

Fire destroys Marion mobile home

A fire this afternoon destroyed a mobile home at 116 Brookcliff Drive in Marion. No one sustained serious injuries, but the home was a total loss.

The fire was first reported around 3 p.m. and Marion firefighters were quickly on the scene to extinguish the flames. Though mobile homes sat nearby on either side of the one in flames, neither appeared to suffer any damage.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Recanvass does not change outcome of Kentucky's GOP primary

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes this afternoon announced that a statewide recanvass of the votes in the Republican primary elections for governor/Lieutenant Governor and commissioner of agriculture did not change the results of the elections.

Pursuant to requests from governor/lieutenant governor candidates James Comer/Chris McDaniel and agriculture commissioner candidate Richard Heath, each of Kentucky’s 120 county boards of elections convened today to recheck and recanvass each voting machine. The results were certified to the Secretary of State’s office.

“I’m grateful to our county boards of elections for their efforts to ensure confidence in the primary election results,” said Grimes. “Although there were several minor changes in vote totals, the recanvass did not affect which candidates will become the Republican party’s nominees.”

According to both previously reported vote totals and the recanvass results, Matt Bevin/Jenean Hampton received more votes than Comer/McDaniel in the Republican Gubernatorial Primary, and Ryan Quarles received more votes than Heath in the Republican Primary for Commissioner of Agriculture.

New election totals reflected no change in vote totals for Comer, Bevin or the last-place finisher in a four-way GOP primary for the governor nomination, Will T. Scott. Hal Heiner, however, picked up three more votes in Fayette County. Meantime, Heath picked up one vote in Fayette County, the state's second largest county, but his opponent, Quarles, picked up three more votes – two in Fayette County and one in Lincoln County.

County-by-county results of both recanvasses are available on the Secretary of State’s website.

With the exceptions of Daviess, Fayette, Henderson, Jefferson, Kenton, Nelson and Rowan counties, which received an extension until Monday to certify vote totals to the Secretary of State’s office, the results of the recanvass shall become the official returns of the county.

Grimes, Chair of the State Board of Elections, has called a meeting of the State Board of Elections on June 8 to certify the results of the May 19 Primary Election. All vote totals remain unofficial until certified by the State Board of Elections.

Authorities name wanted suspects

Authorities have now named the suspects they are looking for in a manhunt that spans at least three counties.

Christopher Adam Sheridan and Brooke Stevens, both of Clay, Ky., are sought on various warrants and for questioning with regard to recent burglaries in Crittenden and Caldwell counties.

"Everybody and their brother is looking for them," said Webster County Sheriff Frankie Springfield.

Webster and Crittenden authorities have been working together the last few days trying to apprehend the two. Crittenden Sheriff Wayne Agent thinks they're "living off the land." See previous post.

WANTED
•Christopher Adam Sheridan, 31, is 5-foot-11, 214 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He is wanted for parole violation in Webster County and has been indicted on a separate burglary charge in Webster County. He is also wanted for questioning regarding burglaries in Crittenden, Caldwell and Hopkins counties.

•Brooke Stevens, 34, is wanted on a bench warrant for failure to appear in Crittenden County and on an outstanding Webster County warrant. She is 5-7, weighs 135 pounds.

Authorities warn of couple at large

May be in Shady Grove Area

Crittenden County Sheriff Wayne Agent says a couple suspected of being involved in a string of burglaries in the eastern part of the county and perhaps over into Caldwell and Webster counties are believed at large in the area and could be dangerous.

Agent said an adult male and adult female, whose identities are not being released at this time, may be living off the land in or near the Shady Grove area.

The couple is suspected in a burglary at Cave Springs Church, two homes in Crittenden County and one in Caldwell. There is reason to believe they may also be wanted in Webster County.

Agent said the man and woman could be on foot or on an ATV, which also may be stolen.

Authorities spent several hours Wednesday in pursuit of the suspects in rural Crittenden County. A deputy encountered them once, but they got away on a camouflage four-wheeler. They are also believed to be in possession of a red four-wheeler.

The couple is alleged to have pointed a firearm at a motorist on Bellville Bottoms Road early yesterday afternoon.

The sheriff encourages anyone who comes in contact with these suspects to avoid a confrontation and to call police dissipating immediately at 270-965-3500. They are believed to be armed and possibly dangerous.

Ky. election recanvass continues

Election officials across the state are wrapping up their review of results of Kentucky's primaries for governor/lieutenant governor and commissioner of agriculture. Boards of election in all 120 counties began reviewing totals from all respective electronic voting machines and absentee ballots at 9 a.m. local time.

Late this morning, Crittenden County Clerk Carolyn Byford said the review of totals from the May 19 election in Crittenden County had been completed with no changes found in either race. In fact, according to The State Journal in Frankfort, 85 counties have reported with no changes discovered.

Louisville businessman Matt Bevin leads state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer by 83 votes in one of the closest elections in state history. Comer has not conceded and requested the review, called a recanvass, the day after the election. Richard Heath, a state representative from Mayfield, lost to fellow state representative Ryan Quarles by 1,427 votes out of the more than 183,000 cast in the race, and also asked for the recanvass last week. The review is different from a recount in that it does not examine individual ballots.

“Transparency is an important element of ensuring confidence and integrity in our elections,” said Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes. “My office is committed to providing information as quickly as possible, and we’ll make the results available online.”

Immediately upon completing the recanvasses, each county board must fax the results to the Secretary of State’s office. The results of both the governor/lieutenant governor and commissioner of agriculture recanvasses will be available on the Secretary of State’s website.

In Crittenden County, Comer earned 274 votes to Bevin's 260 and Heath outpaced Quarles 300-220 in the primary. Those results were again reported to Frankfort after today's recanvass.

With the exceptions of Daviess, Fayette, Henderson, Jefferson, Kenton, Nelson and Rowan counties, which received an extension until Monday to certify vote totals to the Secretary of State’s office, the results of the recanvass shall become the official returns of the county. All vote totals remain unofficial until the State Board of Elections certifies the results of the primary election.

Election results won’t be official until the State Board of Elections certifies them by June 8.

Any of the four candidates involved in the recanvasses could ask a judge to order a recount, an expensive process the candidate would have to pay for himself.

Portion of Ky. 365 closed today

A section of Ky. 365 in Union County will be closed today starting at 9 a.m. near the Union-Crittenden County line.

Ky. 365 will be closed between the 0- and 1-mile marker in Union County near the Tradewater River Bridge at Sturgis to allow repairs to be completed on a cross drain that was recently replaced.

Ky. 365 is expected to remain closed until about 1 p.m. today.

There will be no marked detour. However, motorists may self-detour via U.S. 60.

What's news in Crittenden County this week...

Graduation in Crittenden County is just two days away, but the rest of this week is chock full of special events for seniors as well as the school district.

For the 79 graduating seniors, baccalaureate services will be held tonight at Rocket Arena. Class night follows on Thursday and commencement wraps up the activities on Friday. All events start at 6 p.m. at the arena.

Also on Friday will be the induction of two new members to Crittenden County Distinguished Alumni. One graduated from Marion High School and the other, soon to be the youngest member of local "achievement hall of fame," received her diploma just 13 years ago. Both scholars will be honored at a luncheon Friday.

But there's much more going on in Crittenden County to be read about in this week's edition of The Crittenden Press, including:

• Census estimates drop in Marion's population. Also find population estimates for other area cities.
• Lady Rockets earn first-ever 5th District crown.
• Two to be recognized as Crittenden County Distinguished Alumni.
• Foster, Beavers lead class of 79 graduates.
• Chamber of Commerce holds annual awards banquet.
• Crittenden 1 of 28 counties better off than before Great Recession.
• High school dropout age raised to 18 this fall.
• Youth summer meal program begins June 1.
• Smithland woman charged with theft.
• Local woman wins Atmos contest.
• Reports of scams continue to flow into sheriff’s office.
• Former Marion man named president of college.
• Bright outlook for soybeans, corn this year.
• County’s cost to provide health insurance up 8.3 percent.
• Emmanuel Baptist Church has a new pastor.
• Memorial Day marked in Crittenden County, with photos.
• High school students get jump on college, careers

Tolu hosts music, dancing Saturday

Cotton Patch Express Band will be returning to the Tolu Community Center Saturday evening. Music and dancing begins at 5 p.m. with a potluck dinner to follow at 6:30 p.m. The monthly event is used as a fundraiser for the community center.

City postpones budget meeting

Marion City Council has cancelled its special meeting scheduled for Thursday. A new date will be set to vote on the city’s budget.

Area deaths

Geraldine Eberle, 63, of Marion died today at Crittenden Health Systems in Marion. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

William Edward “Bill” Todd, 77, of Marion died May 24, 2015 at his home. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Princeton woman wins NCAA women's golf title

Caldwell County native Emma Talley won the NCAA women's individual golf championship Monday to become the fifth player to win the title and the U.S. Women's Amateur.

Talley plays golf for the University of Alabama. She won three state titles while in high school at Caldwell County.



Read More in the New York Times.

Mineral museum digs, show June 6, 7

Day and night mineral digs will be offered in conjunction 

with the Ben. E. Clement Mineral Museum Gem and 

Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show next month.

The Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum in Marion will be presenting its 10th annual Gem and Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show next month.

The event is slated 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m June 7. Admission is free.

The Gem and Mineral Show will feature vendors, museum tours, children’s activities, silent auctions, door prizes and mineral digs. A beading class will be offered at 2 p.m. June 6 for a small fee.

Items for sale will include gemstones, rocks, mineral specimens, jewelry, fossils and items made from rocks and minerals.

Meantime, the digs are designed to be fun for everyone. They will be held at old mine sites across the county where participants will dig for an assortment of minerals, including fluorite, quartz, calcite, galena, barite, and sphalerite.

Day and night digs are being offered. Short-wave ultra-violet lights will be provided for the night digs. Diggers need to bring shovels and picks.

The cost for the day digs is $25 per person and night digs are $45 per person.

For more information, contact the mineral museum at (270) 965-4263 or visit its website at ClementMineralMuseum.org.