Emergency management gearing up for Harvey

Kentucky Emergency Management (KyEM) will activate its State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in support of the remnants of Hurricane Harvey that will cross over the Commonwealth later today. The SEOC will activate at 4 p.m. today at a Level 4, which consists of personnel monitoring the weather system.

The remnants will bring periods of widespread, moderate to heavy rainfall Thursday evening through Friday.  Areas that receive multiple rounds of heavy rainfall will likely see some street flooding and rises in area creeks and rivers.  As the center of the low-pressure system moves near southern Kentucky early Friday morning, an isolated tornado is possible.

“By activating our state emergency operations center, we are positioning ourselves forward to respond quickly and efficiently should the need arise," said Michael E. Dossett, director of KyEM. "Our primary mission is to support our county responders and the citizens of the Commonwealth.”

Officials remind citizens to stay tuned to their local media for watches and warnings. Flash flooding will be a threat as the system moves through the Commonwealth.  Do not drive or walk through any flooded areas.  A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.  It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles

EDC will need $42K for regional partnership

Crittenden County and its neighbors appear to be in the economic development business. Leaders of the new coalition met in Marion last week and agreed to move forward with what, for the time being at least, will be called the Lake Barkley Economic Development Partnership.

Over the coming weeks, it will establish a job description for a paid director and begin searching for that individual, who will likely earn between $60,000 and $75,000, plus benefits. The group figures on having revenue of $140,000 from public and private contributions.

Crittenden County has pledged $42,000. Lyon County is committed to $39,000 and Caldwell County $58,800. The amounts were determined by a formula based on each county’s population.

As it appears now, Crittenden County will have five voting representatives to the partnership. Caldwell will likely have eight and Lyon five.

For now, the group is keeping the same name used by the previous Lyon-Caldwell partnership, hoping its association with the lakes area will provide a unique marketing concept. It will also keep the physical address which is to a post office box in Princeton.

Now that the ball is rolling toward a three-county economic development effort, the question for local leaders is where to come up with the additional funding to pay Crittenden’s share.

Plans are for the Crittenden County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) to continue as a viable entity – with its assets of industrial park real estate and the Marion Ed-Tech Center. The CCEDC plans to raise the additional funds it will need to join the Lake Barkley Partnership.

At this point, CCEDC has annual financial obligations of about $35,000, according to information provided during its annual meeting in July.

According to a detailed report made public recently, the group took in investor revenue of $56,650 in its fiscal year ending June 30, with about 70 percent of that funding coming from four major investors – Farmers Bank & Trust Co., Siemens, the City of Marion and Crittenden Fiscal Court. There are some other sources of revenue from rental income, but not much.

The local group will need to raise at least $20,350 in new money to meet its pledged obligations to the collaborative group.

CCEDC owes about $280,000 on property it bought in 2005, hoping to attract industry to land north of town where the Tyson Foods chicken-growing operation was once located. The group paid $300,000 to get 105 acres, but it has only 90 acres left after deeding to the state 15 acres in 2011. The state has yet to pay for the property. The City of Marion has an option on up to 33 acres inside the park for construction of a new sewer plant, which could generate income to pay on the mortgage.

City and county officials had said in previous meetings that additional public funding isn’t likely to support economic development.

Stolen road sign amnesty in September

Crittenden County Fiscal Court is partnering with TipLine and the Crittenden County Attorney’s office to create a comprehensive campaign to stop road sign theft.

Judge-Executive Perry Newcom said the problem has become such a public safety issue that extreme measures must be taken. Since spring, dozens of road signs, including stop signs and other critical guideposts have been stolen or vandalized, costing the county thousands of dollars.

In an attempt to get a handle on the problem, county leaders have agreed to give offenders a one-month amnesty period during September.

“If they have a sign and bring it back, nothing will be said,” Magistrate Curt Buntin said. “After that it’s full prosecution. We have to put some teeth in this to get it stopped.”

During the amnesty period, traffic signs can be dropped off at the county road department's maintenance facility on U.S. 60 East during or after normal business hours. After hours, leave them on the bench in front of the building. They may also be left at Marion Police Department or The Crittenden Press on the loading dock off North College Street at any time 24 hours a day.

After the September amnesty period, there will be up to a $1,000 reward offered for the arrest of those stealing road signs. Everyone found in possession of a traffic sign will be prosecuted, officials say.

Look for posters, awareness programs in the community and a social and traditional media blitz from the county to get its message out about the amnesty program and potential criminal penalties facing those caught in the aftermath.

Magistrates say they’re serious about it and so is County Attorney Rebecca Johnson, whose office is putting up half of the reward money.

Johnson said sign theft is creating potentially dangerous situations and has advised county leaders to replace any stolen traffic sign, especially stop signs, as soon as they are found to be missing.

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

Congressman James Comer visited Marion Tuesday for a town hall meeting.

Great live music, a welcoming atmosphere and gathering of both locals and visitors is what one can expect next month at the Tradewater Music Festival. The first-ever event will take place Friday, Sept. 15 and Saturday, Sept. 16 on the banks of the Tradewater River on the Crittenden-Webster County line. It is expected to draw music lovers from a 10-county area of western Kentucky and beyond.

For more on this story and the following headlines, pick up a copy of this week's issue of The Crittenden Press:

• Balloting opens for school tax
• Comer addresses concerns at town hall visit
• New bank moving toward local branch
• Harvey remnants could cause local flooding
• Man with local ties part of Trump trade team
• Sheriff seeks leads in cattle theft case
• Church collecting for Texas flood relief
• PASTOR'S PEN: More than just memorials at stake
• GUEST OPINION: Slow mail has cost for everyone
• 10-part ‘The Vietnam War’ premieres Sept. 17 on KET
• Clothes Closet offers students new clothes without stigma
• Williams presented top agent hardware
• Master Cattleman’s classes starting soon
• Chamber hosting Farm to Table Dinner
• Optometrist collecting used eclipse glasses
• Jobless rate, workforce both up
• FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: County’s Fishtrap community lost to history
• All public offices closed for Labor Day
• Mott City landmark is no more
• Coupons aim to help control pet numbers
• SPORTS: Rockets’ home opener brings in Trigg
• SPORTS: White wins Sycamore Hills
• SPORTS: Fall sports roundup
• SPORTS: Annual football rivalry game brings out support, awareness for Barnes’ disease
• OUTDOORS: WMA ready for doves
• VAUGHT'S VIEWS: Bromley: 7 wins a must for Stoops, ‘Cats
• Ky. moving to exclusive electronic CDL method
• FRSYC coordinator native of Crittenden

Area hospitals talking of combined services

Hospitals in Marion and Salem have begun talks that could eventually lead to formal collaboration.

Crittenden Health Systems (CHS) and Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services (LHHS) issued a joint statement earlier this month, confirming their plans to further explore the idea.

Directors at each facility have for few years talked in general terms about the potential and need for more cooperation. Over the past few weeks, those discussions have become more formalized and hospital leaders have brought in legal and financial experts to further the talks.

“While this is very preliminary, we are excited about the prospect of opening joint discussions with the hope of strengthening both organizations to better serve their communities,” said Charlie Hunt, board chairman at CHS.

Small rural hospitals are struggling across the nation with lower volumes, less reimbursement and need for additional revenue to keep up with ongoing regulatory requirements and capital
needs. Leaders in Marion are not surprised that there is a movement to seek greater cooperation between the two health care entities that lie about 10 miles apart.

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom applauds the development.

“I think it is the prudent thing to do for both communities given the current state of health care,” Newcom said.

The county judge said the two hospitals have had a great deal of dialogue in the past, but that the “timing may be the best it has ever been for these discussions.”

In its joint news release this week, the groups said, “Crittenden Health System and Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services, both charitable hospital organizations, have begun exploring opportunities for collaboration. Within the last week, the board of directors of each organization has approved engaging in high-level discussions with the other, and has appointed an ad hoc committee to carry those discussions forward.”

“With all of the uncertainties in Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance, we believe that it’s only prudent for these two small rural hospitals to be talking to each other,” said Barry Chittenden, board chairman for LHHS.

The prepared statement said both hospitals share a common mission, that of providing quality health care to the citizens of their communities.

School tax absentee voting starts Tuesday

Absentee voting for the countywide school tax referendum begins Tuesday.

Voters who will be out of the county on Election Day and unable to cast a ballot in person at their respective polling location between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12 may vote on the absentee machine set up in County Clerk Carolyn Byford's office. The machine will be available beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Meantime, Tuesday, Sept. 5 is the final day to apply for a paper absentee ballot. The application for a mail-out paper ballot must be received in Byford's office by the close of business that day. Paper ballots are often used by homebound voters or voters out of the country, like members of the military.

The clerk's office will be closed on Labor Day.

In June, Crittenden County Board of Education approved an "equivalent nickel" tax for the purpose of new school construction. Petitioners subsequently acquired enough signatures to send the levy to countywide ballot. The rate increase on 2017 property tax bills, if approved on Sept. 12, would be 5.9 cents per $100 valuation.

Local church hosting Beth Moore simulcast

DNA allegedly links man to McDonald's robbery

Marc Hocking

A DNA match has led to the arrest of a convicted felon on first-degree robbery charges.

Marc Hocking, 30, of Benton, formerly of Marion, was arrested earlier this month for a 2016 armed robbery of McDonald’s employees in the restaurant parking lot.

Marion Police Chief Ray O’Neal said Hocking was served a warrant and taken into custody when he appeared recently for a family court appearance at Crittenden County Courthouse. Hocking was convicted in 2013 on felon drug charges in Crittenden County. He received a five-year sentence.
If found guilty of armed robbery, a Class B felony, Hocking will face 10-20 years in prison.

The police chief said DNA from a pair of dark sunglasses worn by the robber and recovered near the scene by police helped solve the case. Hocking had actually been a suspect in the hours following the alleged robber. He was questioned by police because he was witnessed at McDonald’s later that night wearing clothes that fit the description of the person who allegedly committed the crime.

“He’d come back to pick up a girlfriend who was working at McDonald’s,” the police chief said.

Hocking voluntarily allowed officers to take a DNA swab when he was questioned.

The robbery occurred on April 20, 2016, more than 16 months ago. More than $1,300 was taken in the robbery that occurred just before midnight when an armed man dressed in black robbed two employees at gunpoint while wearing black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt, black gloves and sunglasses.

O’Neal said a backlog of evidence at the state forensic lab often leads to long waits. He said evidence in more violent crimes is usually dealt with first, then cases such as this one.

Second Suspect Charged
Police have charged a second person in their investigation into the 2016 armed robbery of two McDonald’s employees who were held up at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Marion restaurant.
Kayla Elliot-Claycomb, 22, of Marion was served a warrant recently charging her with complicity to first-degree robbery in the April 20, 2016 incident.

Elliot-Claycomb was an employee of McDonald’s at the time and was on duty the night of the robbery, which was allegedly conducted by her then-reputed boyfriend, Marc Hocking, 30, of Benton. Hocking is charged with first-degree robbery after DNA evidence linking him to the crime came back from the state laboratory.

Marion Police Chief Ray O’Neal said investigators believe Elliot-Claycomb had conspired with Hocking by giving him information about how and when the employees leave the restaurant and head to the bank’s night depository with cash receipts.

Elliot-Claycomb was in the McCracken County Jail this when authorities served her with the warrant. She is being held in McCracken on an unrelated charge. Elliot-Claycomb is also a convicted felon from a previous Crittenden County drug case.

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Extension meeting Thursday

The Crittenden County Extension District Board will meet at 6:15 p.m., Aug. 31  at the Extension Office on U.S. 60 East in Marion.

CCHS SBDM to meet Tuesday

The August meeting of the Crittenden County High School SBDM will be Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the high school conference room.

New School Balloting will be Sept. 12

Voters across Crittenden County will head to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 12 to approve or reject an “equivalent nickel” school tax for construction. The ballot question will read as follows:

Are you for or against the Crittenden County Board of Education’s levy of an equivalent tax rate of five (0.05) cents on each one hundred dollars ($100.00) valuation of real and personal tangible property to raise funds that would be dedicated strictly to major renovation of existing school facilities, new construction and debt service?

Voters will be asked if they are “For” or “Against” the tax. A simple majority wins.

The verbiage does not spell out the 5.9-cent per $100 valuation that might be levied on tax bills this year. According to Roy Massey IV, legal counsel for the board of education, the wording is not an attempt by the board to be disingenuous and has been used by other boards of education seeking the tax. The precise levy is not included because the equivalent rate could vary each year of the 20-year life of the bond for a new high school. That rate is set by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).

The actual “nickel” rate is greater than 5 cents because of how KDE determines how much money should be generated from the tax base. It calculates how much revenue would be produced by 5 cents per $100 valuation of property and motor vehicles in the county. The district is required to collect enough money from property taxes to transfer that dollar amount into its building fund.

How much will it cost each taxpayer

A county resident who owns a $71,800 home, the median value of a house in Crittenden County according to the U.S. Census Bureau, will pay $42.36 more in school taxes if a 5.9-cent increase is approved at the ballot box Sept. 12. A home valued at $100,000 would cost its owner $59 more; a $50,000 home, half that at $29.50.

However, the homestead exemption for seniors and disabled persons would remove $37,600 from the taxable value of a home, lowering the additional tax burden by $22.18. To qualify for the homestead exemption, a person must be at least 65 years old during the tax period or have been classified as totally disabled by any public or private retirement system.  The property must also be owned, occupied and maintained by the taxpayer as a personal residence on the Jan. 1 assessment date.

The average farmer would pay a little more for his land than the typical homeowner in Crittenden County. An average farmer – median land value and acreage – would pay an additional $55.68. That is based on the average size farm – 251 acres – according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture for Crittenden County and the average taxable value of each acre – $376 – based on soil class. Soil classes in the county carry a tax of between $159.35 and $592.64 per acre.Voting information.

Voter information

The Sept. 12 vote to decide the fate of a school tax levy for construction will take place like most any election in Crittenden County – on a Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at all the usual 12 precinct polling locations.

Voter registration, however, is already closed. By statute, voter rolls must close at least 30 days prior to any election. Anyone not registered or registered with an incorrect address will not be able to vote next month. If you are already registered, then you will be able to vote. There are about 6,700 registered voters in the county according to the July report from the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office.

For those who will not be in the county on election day, absentee voting will be made available both on a machine located inside the county clerk’s office and through paper ballot. Contact County Clerk Carolyn Byford’s office at (270) 965-3403 to see if you qualify or to request a ballot.

Byford said only one voting machine will be used at each precinct, unlike other elections where two varieties are employed. The eScan machines that read a paper ballot marked and inserted by the voter will be the only option on election day next month. The other machines, eSlate, are much larger and more cumbersome to set up. 

On a short window to get the election ready, Byford said using only one machine will move the process along more quickly and should cost less. She estimates the election will cost the board of education around $20,000.

Youth triathlon is off for this year

There will be no youth triathlon held in Marion this year on Labor Day weekend.

Organizers of the event have decided to only host it every other year. Therefore, 2017 will be the off year and plans are to have one in 2018.

Area deaths

Sherry Ann Kinnin, 63, of Marion died Wednesday at her home. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Jean “Jeannie” Hamilton, 61, of Marion died Wednesday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

This week's newspaper on stands

This week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press is now on newsstands throughout Marion and the immediate area, and en route to subscribers in the mail.

Future plans for the former Shopko building, a stolen traffic sign amnesty program, city council and fiscal court news and eclipse photos and followup are among the informative and entertaining features you will find in this week's newspaper.

To get news from Marion and Crittenden County that you will not find on social media, grab a copy of this week's printed edition of The Press, your hometown newspaper since 1879.

Cattle rustling incident under investigation

Local authorities are trying to solve a cattle rustling caper and need your help.

Sunday night at about 10:30pm, someone allegedly stole nine head of cattle from Riley Livestock (formerly Kentuckiana) on the northern edge of town on U.S. 60 East. The stolen cows average about 480 pounds apiece and are valued at about $6,500.

Crittenden County Sheriff's Department has reviewed video from downtown Marion and they believe the vehicle and trailer involved in alleged theft traveled along Main Street en route to the livestock facility. A white flatbed Dodge truck pulling a livestock trailer was caught on videotape and authorities want to talk to the person driving the vehicle.

If you have seen this vehicle or know anything about the alleged crime, call the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department at (270) 965-3400 or central dispatching at (270) 965-3500.

School release delayed 15m today

Due to inclement weather, Crittenden County Schools will be letting out 15 minutes later than normal.

School officials believe the storm will have passed through the area by then.

Eclipse brings crowd to Marion, Ky.

Dozens of aircraft brought people to Marion-Crittenden County Airport for Monday’s total eclipse and others motored in from all around the country and across the globe. More than 40 aircraft were in and out of the airport on Monday. Visitors included a photographer who shoots for National Geographic and other magazines. Hundreds of people filled Marion-Crittenden County Park and others found interesting places to watch the solar event. See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for their stories.

See our live videos at https://www.facebook.com/TheCrittendenPress/

Piney Fork School Road closing for work

Crittenden County road department crews will be repairing base failures on Piney Fork School Road starting Tuesday or Wednesday this week.

The road will be closed to through traffic during the project. It is expected to take about two weeks.

Real Danger: Optometrist urges eclipse caution

Dr. Porter

Just a few seconds of staring at the sun can cause permanent eye damage.

On a normal day, there's little reason to think anyone would look into the sun long enough to harm their eyesight. But today, local residents will join millions of Americans gazing up to catch a glimpse of the Great American Eclipse, the first total solar eclipse to darken the skies above Crittenden County in the lifetime of anyone living here today.

Marion optometrist Dr. Adria Porter warns the dangers from staring directly at the sun at any time without protective eyewear are very real.

"It burns the retina, which will cause you to have blind spots in your vision," Porter explained. "It's not complete blindness, but vision impairment."

Solar retinopathy damages the retina’s light cells at the back of the eyeball, effectively causing "sunburn." Damaged cells effectively burn out, shutting down light receptors and leaving blind spots in a person’s field of vision. Typically, it's straight-ahead sight that is affected, not peripheral vision, Porter said.

An eclipse offers a particular risk. With the sun almost covered Monday during the eclipse, it may be comfortable to stare at the sun and protective reflexes like pupil contraction and blinking are less likely to kick in than on a typical day. So you won't likely notice pain as the damage occurs, but the harm is still being done.

Porter said permanent blind spots could appear as early as Monday evening.

"I expect I will have patients come in over a few days (after the eclipse) who may be worried about their vision," she said. "But hopefully, everyone will view it safely."

She recently treated a patient who has had eclipse blindness since childhood, when he looked directly at the sun during an eclipse without proper protection.

Protection does not mean sunglasses or even welding shields, Porter cautioned. If you're going to look up, eclipse glasses need to be NASA-approved, with “ISO 12312-2” printed on them.

Other so-called eclipse glasses, as well as the recommended versions that may have scratched or wrinkled film, are not considered safe.

Even with the proper gear, Porter suggests looking away every few seconds.

"It's probably a good idea to not watch it continuously," she said. "Just take a little break."

The partial eclipse in Marion begins at 11:55 a.m. Totality arrives at 1:23 p.m. and lasts 2 minutes and 31 seconds. The entire show is over at 2:50 p.m.