Big Rivers WMA foreman tops in Kentucky

Big Rivers Wildlife Management Area’s John Zimmer of Marion has been chosen as Game Management Foreman of the Year by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The honor was announced recently during the KDFWR’s virtual employee awards presentation on YouTube.

Zimmer has been foreman of the WMA in northern Crittenden County and southern Union County near Sturgis for seven years. The WMA includes more than 7,500 acres.

During its presentation, the WMA singled Zimmer out for his willingness to go above and beyond to improve habitat and opportunities for Kentucky’s sportsmen and women. 

In addition to daily management of the WMA, which includes maintaining equipment and roads, Zimmer has developed water control structures, improved waterfowl management, developed a 130-acre grassland area and a fire plan.

“He’s known for his dedication to the job,” KDFWR said in the awards announcement. 

It also said that Zimmer oftentimes single-handedly performs duties at the WMA because seasonal and other assistant positions have not been filled. 

“He takes on new projects,” the KDFWR said, including an infrared deer management survey that is helping to gather data and improve whitetail hunting on the WMA.

Zimmer also received the Wildlife Rookie Award from the KDFWR in 2015.

Blood drive Thursday in Marion

Crittenden County High School's Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club (FCA) is hosting a "Spring into Action" Blood Drive Thursday.

The blood drive will be held from 2-6 p.m., Thursday at the Ed-Tech Center in Marion. All donors will receive a t-shirt, and the West Kentucky Regional Blood Center (WKRBC) is offering a free COVID antibody test with each blood donation.

Brush fire south of Marion today

Crittenden County volunteer firemen were on the scene of a brush fire Saturday afternoon just south of Marion between U.S.641 and Mott City Road. 

Firemen say everyone should be reminded that it’s spring wildfire hazard season, bringing with it outdoor burning restrictions. 

Between Feb. 15 and April 30, the spring forest fire hazard law prohibits burning between the hours of 6 a.m., and 6 p.m., if the fire is within 150 feet of any woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable materials.

Over the past couple of weeks there have been several field fires in the area, some threatening homes and other property. 

High water closing ferry today at 6pm

The Ohio River is rising quickly so the Cave In Rock Ferry is closing today at 6pm.

Observers knew that rain and snow melt in the Upper Ohio Valley would eventually close the ferry for high water, they just were not sure when. 

Backwater started lapping over highway Ky. 91 today at the ferry, forcing it make a decision to close this evening. 

The ferry will likely be closed for a numbers of days.

PODCAST: Conversation with County Attorney Rebecca Johnson

Click Here for Podcast

As part of The Crittenden Press’ celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down with four-term Crittenden County Attorney Rebecca Johnson to discuss her own personal career as one of only a handful of women county attorneys in western Kentucky. We discuss what it's like being a prosecutor and a child advocate, and we touch on a variety of other topics.

Johnson also talks about her late mother’s role as a working mom and business and civic leader in the community, plus other women who helped shape her education, values and vision.

LISTEN NOW

The Crittenden Press is highlighting this month women in the community who have been instrumental in civic, business and other leadership roles. See this week's printed edition for an article about 40-year female EMT Ruth Ann Farmer, who retired this week. 

Hydro-Gear seeks assembly, machining operators

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Hydro-Gear in Princeton is looking for assembly and machining operators.

Starting pay for all shifts is $14-$15 per hour.

To learn more about the company or to submit an employment application, visit www.staffsolutions.com.

Lady Rockets tipoff in All A final four

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A live stream for a broadcast of Friday's All A Classic final four is being provided on the tournament's official website CLICK HERE.

Crittenden County's girls are involved in their seventh All A Classic State Tournament. This has been an historic run for the girls, earning an appearance in the final four. The girls tipoff Friday morning at 11 a.m., against Bardstown Bethlehem.

Complete post-game coverage will be provided on this website, and in-game updates will be available on the Crittenden Press Twitter feed.

Flooding likely to idle ferry Friday

Rising floodwaters on the Ohio River are likely to force the Cave-in-Rock Ferry to temporarily close Friday, March 5. The ferry normally has to halt service when the river reaches about 42.5 ft. on the Shawneetown gauge.

Based on Thursday's river forecast, the river will reach 42.2 ft. at 6 p.m., on Friday. The floodwaters are then expected to continue rising to 43.6 ft. by March 10.

Ferry operator Lonnie Lewis will look at the updated river forecast on Friday morning and attempt to provide a more specific estimate on when floodwaters will force the ferry to close.

Rocket Tire hiring in Marion

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The full-service oil and tire dealer in Marion is looking for employees.

Rocket Tire on Sturgis Road is located in the former Pamida building on Sturgis Road.

Employees are sought for several positions, including general laborers, forklift operators, tire and lube techs and machine operators.

To learn more, apply in person at Rocket Tire.

Injunction delays restrictions on governor's exec power

 By TOM LATEK, Kentucky Today

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd issued a temporary injunction keeping three bills passed by the General Assembly that limited the governor’s power to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic from being implemented until the merits of the case are heard.

House Bill 1 and Senate Bills 1 and 2 were approved by the Republican supermajority in both chambers during the first days of the 2021 session.  After Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed the three measures, lawmakers overrode the vetoes, which made the legislation law.

The governor then filed suit at Franklin Circuit Court, seeking to keep the bills from taking effect.

HB 1 states in part that any business, for-profit or not-for-profit organization, local government, association, or any school or school district, public, private, or religiously affiliated, may remain open and fully operational for in-person services so long as it adopts an operating plan that either meets or exceeds guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or by the executive branch, whichever is least restrictive.

SB 1 limits any emergency order or regulation to 30 days, unless the General Assembly approves an extension.  That means that if an order was issued when lawmakers were not in session, would have to be called to Frankfort for a special legislative session, which costs over $60,000 per day, and would likely have to last at least five days.

SB 2 Would limit emergency Administrative Regulations to 30-days, and documentation would have to be submitted to justify the regulation.

In his 23-page ruling, Shepherd said:

“In balancing the equities, the Court is mindful that the challenged legislation seeks to address a legitimate problem of effective legislative oversight of the Governor’s emergency powers in this

FOR THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE GO HERE to Kentucky Today website.

GOING ON TOUR: Cutter gets the Call

Although Cutter Singleton’s musical accomplishments are many, the 14-year-old string instrument prodigy may be heading to the most significant stage of his young career this weekend.

He will be performing on tour with Grammy award-winning entertainer Rhonda Vincent, who is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

“I received the call of a lifetime... from the Queen of Bluegrass herself,” Singleton posted on social media earlier this week. “She has asked me to fill in for one of her band members this weekend in central Florida for two shows. I am so honored.”

Singleton, who along with his brother Cash and another local musician Brennan Cruce, has performed for a few years across the region and beyond as Classy and Grassy. Last summer, they were invited to open for Vincent and her band the Rage during the Lincoln Jamboree in Hodgenville, Ky. Singleton and Vincent struck up a relationship and have ... for the rest of this article see this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press.

WMA will conduct controlled burns

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will be conducting several prescribed burns on Big Rivers Wildlife Management Area in Crittenden and Union counties. 

Controlled burns are expected to occur between now and April 15.

During this period, the public may notice smoke arising from the Wildlife Management Area.

More roads are under water in county

Crittenden County has added three new roads to its group that are currently under water due to recent rains and rising creeks and rivers. 

Roads currently under water:

• Providence Road
• Enon Church Road
• Cool Springs Road
• River Drive
• Phin Croft Road
• Elizabethtown Ferry Road

High school remote learning Friday for game

With the Lady Rockets basketball team participating in Friday's All A Classic State Tournament semifinal in Richmond, Crittenden County High School has decided to make that a remote learning day. This applies to only the high school.

The plan is is accommodate staff and students an opportunity to attend the game if they so desire.

Tickets to the game are available at The Crittenden Press or from coach Shannon Hodge. Only advanced tickets are being sold. Cost is $8. No tickets will be sold at the area. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the 11 a.m., tipoff. Masks and social distancing will be enforced. 

This is an historic event for Crittenden County as no basketball team has ever before reached the All A Classic final four.

Floodwaters coming; ferry may close Friday

Crittenden Press file photo of previous flooding

Travel across the Cave In Rock Ferry is almost certain to be interrupted for several days starting sometime late this week.

With the Ohio River swelling beyond its banks due to snow melt and heavy rains to the east in the Upper Ohio Valley, ferry operator Lonnie Lewis says the ferry landing and Ky. 91 will be covered in water by Friday.

The river was at 36.69 feet at Shawneetown this morning. The ferry is forced to close when the river reaches 42 feet. The Ohio is forecast to crest some time next week at more than 46 feet.

“I’m afraid this will be a long drawn out thing,” Lewis said, citing the large amount of water coming down the Ohio.

“The good news is the forecast for next several days is clear with sunshine,” said Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom, who’s watching closely the river stages because of flooding issues it will cause in low-lying areas along the river and its tributaries.

As of Tuesday there were three county roads under water, those in the eastern part of the county where Piney Creek and the Tradewater River are out of their banks. 

Tolu, Hebron, Weston and other areas along the Ohio River will soon be affected by rising waters, the county judge said.

“You have a lot of water on the Cumberland River that’s going to back everything up, too,” Newcom said.

The Cumberland and Ohio rivers coverage at Smithland and then the Tennessee River flows into the Ohio at Paducah. Because this area is near the confluences of those rivers, it creates real problem when a whole lot of water is trying move through the basins at one time from all directions. Flooding is certainly going to occur, say local observers.

County reports 9 new virus cases Tuesday

A Tuesday spike in coronavirus cases is the first here in a few weeks.

There were nine cases reported yesterday, after two straight days of no cases and a nearly two-week downward trend in positive diagnoses.

Still, the caseload is somewhat moderate compared to previous periods in late 2020. There were 20 new cases reported in the seven-day period from Feb. 23 to March 2. There were 46 cases here during February. That's the fewest in any month since last summer.

"I hope this spike is not a precursor to a new trend," said Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom. "I also hope that folks are not experiencing a false sense of security due to the recent downward trend in our numbers that may provide some with the thought of 'We are in the clear.'" 

The judge urges continued vigilance against the spread of COVID-19, particularly until the majority of the population has been vaccinated.  

"Good news was that there haven’t been any elderly test positive lately, which I would think is due to the majority of that age group has now received the vaccine," Newcom said. 

Since early February, there have been just six local cases reported in individuals over age 60. The March 11, 2021 issue of The Crittenden Press will include a breakdown of age and gender of all cases to date.

"I encourage anyone that can do so to consider receiving the vaccine when made available as it does seem to be offering protection to the ages that have already had their vaccinations.  With our hospital, health department and locally-owned pharmacy (Glenn’s) all being allowed to give the vaccinations, we are able to get more people vaccinated more quickly than most other communities our size so we need to take advantage of what we have available in our efforts to provide the utmost protection against this virus."

Roads Under Water in Crittenden County

Crittenden County has one new road to its list of those that are currently under water due to recent rains and rising creeks and rivers. 

Roads currently under water:

• Providence Road
• Enon Church Road
• Cool Springs Road

COVID continues to slow in county

Crittenden County has not had a new COVID case announced since Feb. 27 when there were two new diagnoses. 

There were 16 cases reported here in the seven-day period from Feb. 23 to March 1.

Youth sports registrations underway now

Registration for spring youth sports at Marion-Crittenden County Park is now underway. 

Anyone interested in soccer, kickball, baseball or softball can find links to register here at The Press Online.

Registration can also be mailed or delivered in person to various locations in Marion.

Spring soccer begins March 16 for divisions in ages 14, 12, and 10 and April 6 for players in 8 and 6 age groups. Cost is $45 for 6-8 and $55 for 10-14. There will not be a 4-under group this spring.

Youth baseball and softball will begin in early April and kickball later in the spring, but registration is now underway and deadlines are approaching.

Soccer registration can be completed online at the Crittenden County Youth Soccer Association Facebook page. A link is available here. Registration forms can also be mailed to CYSA, PO Box 584, Marion, KY 42064. Checks or money orders are accepted for payment. Cash is not being accepted due to the pandemic. PayPal can be used as a form of payment, but there is an additional fee. 

Registration deadline is March 8 to guarantee a jersey. There is a $10 late registration fee after that deadline. 

Baseball, softball and kickball are organized by the Crittenden County Dugout Club. There are age divisions for boys and girls ages 4-12 in baseball and softball and 3-4 for kickball.

Registration form can found here. Cost is $40 for baseball or softball and $25 for kickball. There is a discount for multiple players in one family.

Registration deadline is March 13. Late registration carries a $25 penalty.

Bunch Brothers to sell Maynard machinery Saturday

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Bunch Brothers will conduct an absolute auction in Salem Saturday.

The real estate company will sell farm machinery, utility vehicles and more beginning at 10 a.m.

The seller is T.A. "Andy" Maynard at 208 Drew Maynard Road in Salem.
For more photos and a complete listing, visit bunchbrothers.com or visit Steven Bunch, auctioneer.