McConnell reverses on financial bailout

Just a few months after approving an unprecedented bailout of the nation's financial institutions, Kentucky's senior senator voted to keep the final $350 billion of the aid from the sector it was intended to help.

Mitch McConnell voted "yes" today in the senate on a resolution that would have blocked the second half of a $700 billion bailout of the country's faltering financial sector. He had voted to approve the aid package last fall, but was one of 33 Republicans who voted to keep the money from becoming a part of President-elect Barack Obama's planned stimulus package.

The resolution passed, however, 52-42 with Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning joining two others in abstaining. Bunning initially voted against the $700 billion bailout.

Obama has pledged $100 billion of the new monies to help homeowners facing foreclosure. House Democrats are also backing the 44th-president-to-be's $825 billion economic stimulus plan that will include $275 billion in tax cuts and increased government spending for infrastructure, education and health care.

Area deaths

Pauletta Frankaline Hill, 83, of Marion died Wednesday, Jan. 14 at Salem Springlake Health and Rehab Center. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Jackie Cosby, 63, of Marion died Wednesday at Crittenden County Hospital. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Dennis D. Croft, 91, of Salem died Thursday, Jan. 15 at Livingston Hospital. Boyd Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Caldwell basketball coach arrested

Former Caldwell County and Western Kentucky University basketball standout Michael Frailex was arrested by Kentucky State Police today. The 35-year-old Frailex, a Caldwell County teacher and head coach for the boys' basketball team, was charged with 12 counts of attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud in Crittenden, Livingston, Lyon and McCracken counties.

According to state police, on Dec. 30, a local physician contacted the authorities to report that a patient might be “doctor shopping” to obtain controlled substances. An investigation by detectives from the Madisonville and Mayfield posts revealed that the Fredonia man had been receiving hydrocodone, a narcotic pain reliever, on a routine basis from January of 2006 through December of 2008. Frailex was arrested at the school, according the police report.

Doctor shopping is the practice of trying to obtain prescriptions for drugs from numerous physicians over a short period.

Fraliex was lodged in the Crittenden County Jail. The investigation is continuing.

Arctic blast hits county

The mercury in Crittenden County dipped to the lowest mark in more than three years today, with a low of 3 degrees predicted for tonight. Residents woke up to temperatures in the single digits, while ponds and streams came to a standstill overnight with a coating of ice.

The frigid air is part of a weather system that has put most of the Midwest in a deep-freeze. On an otherwise beautiful day, the temperature in downtown Marion was a 14 degrees at 1 p.m., according to the monitor at Peoples Bank.

The high temperature on Friday is not expected to leave the 20s, but Saturday's high should reach the mid-40s.

Kentucky mining deaths quadruple in 2008

For the ninth time since 1996, Kentucky led the nation in mining deaths.

Over the last decade, Kentucky has become one of the most dangerous places to work in the mines. After a record low two fatalities in 2007, Kentucky followed up by once again leading the nation in mining deaths. It's the ninth time since 1996 that the state has been either tied for most deaths or held the dubious spot on its own.

Nine mining fatalities were reported in the Bluegrass State last year, more than any other state in the nation. West Virginia followed with eight deaths. The rise in Kentucky mining deaths occurred even as United States mining deaths fell last year to 51 as compared to 2007 when 67 were killed in the industry.

The report on mining deaths was released last week by the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration.

“Although these numbers demonstrate continuing improvements at our nation’s mines, they also represent significant loss to the families and friends of 51 miners,” Richard E. Stickler, acting assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, stated in a Jan. 9 release on MSHA's Web site.

Kentucky and West Virginia combined for 16 of the 22 coal mining deaths in 2008. Kentucky also recorded one of the 22 fatalities in other types of mines, such as copper and stone. In 2007, the nationwide number of fatalities at coal and other types of mines were higher at 33 and 34, respectively. 

Two of the 2008 coal mining fatalities in Kentucky were in District 10, which oversees about 30 operational mines in western Kentucky. Both occurred at the Warrior Coal LLC preperation plant in Hopkins County. The deaths were recorded on March 9 and Dec. 11. Since 1999, only nine have died as a result of mishaps at western Kentucky mines. 

But mining deaths continue to plague both Kentucky and West Virginia. In 2006, Kentucky had 17 fatalities, second only to the Mountaineer State's 23. Since 1996, according to MSHA data, the two states have combined for more than a quarter of the nation's 931 mining deaths. West Virginia recorded 128, Kentucky 125. Last month, Len Peters, Kentucky's Energy and Environment Secretary said the state would not be able to afford the number of inspectors it would take to implement a plan to inspect mines six times a year.

Coal was first discovered in what is now Kentucky in 1701. Thousands have died in Kentucky mines since that time, but mining deaths have been recorded by MSHA only since the early 20th century. Kentucky has averaged nine mining deaths annually since 1996.

Mickey Travis was the last known Crittenden Countian to die in a mining accident. He was killed Aug. 19, 2002, at a Warrior Coal mine in Hopkins County.

CCES student wins regional contest

A student at Crittenden County Elementary School has won a regional trash sculpture contest.

For the second year, Ellie Grace McGowan, a CCES first-grader, took top honors among her age group in the annual Regional Recycling Corporation contest. McGowan, 6, also took first place in Crittenden County.

School-age children in western Kentucky are invited each year to submit sculptures made of what would otherwise be trash. Twelve winners in each county are selected by judges, with the top three automatically entered in the regional contest. 

All winners receive cash prizes, which will be awarded at Tuesday's board of education meeting at the high school.

McGowen is the daughter of Lowell and Mollie McGowan of Fredonia. More can be found on The Times Leader's Web site.

FSA office down to last days

Crittenden County's Farm Service Agency office has only two more days remaining before services are moved to Salem as part of nationwide downsizing of USDA operations.

Friday will be the last day the Marion service center is staffed, though the relocation to the Salem office has already begun. Desks, fixtures, even wall calendars have been moved as office staff continue packing today. But producers in Crittenden County should still contact the Marion office until Friday for questions or information regarding FSA programs.

Beginning Tuesday of next week the consolidation will be complete, and all Crittenden County services will be conducted out of the Salem office. The Salem office will be closed Monday due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

All current files will be maintained in the Livingston County office beginning next week, but producers may choose offices in Morganfield, Princeton, Dixon or Madisonville as their new service center. Contact the Salem service center at 988-2180 to begin the process of transferring files to another office.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Crittenden County Water and Soil Conservation District will maintain operations at the Marion office on East Bellville Street.

Courthouse warming center open this week

Due to the extremely cold weather forecast for the next couple of days, Judge-Executive Fred Brown said the Crittenden County Courthouse will be open throughout the night Wednesday (Jan. 14) and Thursday (Jan. 15).

Anyone needing a warm place to seek refuge from the predicted single-digit temperatures and frigid wind chills will have access to the courthouse hallways all night long. Individual offices will not be open but restrooms will be accessible.

KU Reaches Settlement with Parties in Rate Case

This is a news release from Kentucky Utilities:

LOUISVILLE, Ky., – Louisville Gas and Electric Company, Kentucky Utilities Company, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, the Kentucky Industrial Utilities Customers, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, The Kroger Company and the low-income advocates have reached a settlement agreement in the LG&E/KU rate cases. The settlement will be formally presented at the hearing this morning at the Kentucky Public Service Commission in Frankfort.

The settlement means that electric customers of LG&E and KU will likely enjoy rate reductions beginning Feb. 6. For typical KU residential customers, using 1,000 kWh, the proposed reduction is 60 cents per month and for typical LG&E residential customers the proposed reduction is expected to be $1 per month. A typical LG&E residential gas customer, using 70 ccf, is expected to see an increase of $5.10 per month.

“Settling these cases is the right decision,” said Vic Staffieri, Chairman, CEO and President of E.ON U.S., the parent company of LG&E and KU. “As with any negotiation, there is give and take on both sides. In this case, while we continue to believe our original requests were reasonable, the differences between the parties were significant. The settlement allows for a modest reduction in residential electric customers’ bills while allowing us to recover some of our costs for improvements to our natural gas system.”

As previously noted, as a result of the companies’ filing for base rates and their subsequent implementation, customers will no longer see the merger surcredit or the value delivery credits on their bill. The value delivery credit ended in August and the merger surcredit will disappear when the new rates go into effect.

“I can reassure customers, however, that this settlement will not affect our reliability or service levels,” said Staffieri.

The settlement agreement is still subject to KPSC review and approval.

Authorities investigating burglaries

A series of burglaries in Crittenden, Union and Caldwell counties have authorities scrambling for clues and extending patrols in rural areas.

Three burglaries since the first of the year have been concentrated in the northeast section of the county. Other break-ins in Caldwell and Union counties have also been reported.
The circumstances have been largely the same in case with intruders breaking down doors at homes during daylight hours while owners were at work or away from the home. Guns and money appear to be the primary targets of the burglars.

Crittenden County Sheriff Wayne Agent encourages residents to be vigilant. Pay attention to strange vehicles and get license numbers if you have reason to be suspicious. To report tips, call 965-3500. Stay tuned for more details in The Crittenden Press printed edition this week.

Interviews with Crittenden coaches & players

Listen to podcast interviews below with Crittenden County basketball coaches and players following the Lady Rockets' and Rockets' victories over Livingston Central Friday, Jan. 9.

Pictured at right is Crittenden's Misty Wallace making the game-tying shot that sent the girls' contest into overtime Friday against Livingston. Photo by ReeseBaker.Com.

Interviews with Lady Rocket Coach Shannon Hodge, senior forward Jessica Cozart, Rocket coach Rob Towery and Rocket senior guard Cody Holzer.

Subscribe Free
Add to my Page

Rockets host Livingston Central tonight

Crittenden County's boys' and girls' basketball teams host arch-rival Livingston Central in a doubleheader tonight at Rocket Arena. 

The girls' game starts at 6 p.m. Boys play the second game.

Ferry closed due to high winds

The Cave in Rock Ferry across the Ohio Rivers was shut down early this afternoon due to high winds. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman Keith Todd said the winds will likely keep the ferry closed until dark, when the winds are forecast to subside.

The ferry connects Ky. 91 in Crittenden County to Ill. 1 on the other side of the river.

The ferry normally operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days days a week. The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day.

2008 ends with 2 county traffic fatalities

Kentucky's road were a lot safer in 2008, as were the more than 400 miles of roadways in Crittenden County. Only two traffic fatalities occurred in the county in 2008, down significantly from the five killed in 2007.

John Stuart Baker Jr., of Florida died Jan. 17 in a one-vehicle accident on U.S. 60 east of Marion after fleeing police in a stolen vehicle from Louisville. On Sept. 26, Teddie Davenport, 56, of Dycusburg became the second fatality when he died four days after an accident on Ky. 295 south of Dycusburg.

Across Kentucky, the number of traffic fatalities was down from the previous year. Only 816 were reported killed on Kentucky roads during 2008, as compared to 864 in 2007. In fact, 2008 deaths were the fewest since 791 in 1994. So far in 2009, only four people had been killed on roadways through Jan. 5.

This story was among the top 10 news stories from 2008 in Crittenden County, according to The Crittenden Press' annual look back at the year that was. A recap of this year's top stories can be found this week's edition of the newspaper.

Also on tap for this week, Marion police are investigating a break-in at a Marion pharmacy, users of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Marion and the office of Rural Development in Paducah will soon have to make treks to new locations to conduct business, a Crittenden County couple is recovering from the loss of their home to a fire, the U.S. Census Bureau is looking for local workers and a 43-year fixture at The Peoples Bank has retired. Also, the first Crittenden Press of 2009 will take a look back at those we lost in 2008.

Intruders break in at CVS

Marion Police Department was investigating a break-in at CVS early Tuesday morning.

An alarm alerted police of the attempted burglary at about 1 a.m. The suspects were apparently scared away by the alarm. At first inspection, there appeared to have been nothing taken.

The store opened on schedule this morning at 9 a.m., however, workers were still trying to clean up the mess. The intruders came in from duct work in the ceiling, causing a great deal of damage.

Pictured is shift supervisor Gretchen Jamison looking at the hole in the ceiling where the would-be burglars gained entry to the store.

The Crittenden Press will have more details on this case in this week's printed edition due out Wednesday afternoon.

Here's one for the hunters...

Perhaps the largest elk ever produced in the wild — a Utah bull taken in 2008 by a hunter on public land — has been confirmed as a new World’s Record. The official declaration was made Friday by the Boone and Crockett Club of Missoula, Mont.

A special judges panel determined a final score of 478-5/8 B&C non-typical points, an incredible 93-plus inches above the Boone and Crockett minimum score of 385 for non-typical American elk, and more than 13 inches larger than the previous World’s Record.

It is the only elk on record with a gross score approaching the 500-inch mark, at 499-3/8. Official data dates back to 1830.

The giant bull has 9 points on the left antler and 14 points on the right. The larger antler has a base circumference topping 9 inches.

“Along with measurements that honor the quality of the animal, Boone and Crockett Club records also honor fair-chase hunting,” said Eldon Buckner, chairman of the Club’s Records of North American Big Game committee. “Through our entry process, signed affidavits and follow-up interviews with the hunter, his guides, and state and federal officials, we were satisfied that this bull was indeed a wild, free-ranging trophy and that the tenets of fair chase were used in the harvest.”

The hunter, Denny Austad of Ammon, Idaho, hunted the Monroe Mountain District in south-central Utah. Hunting with a self-designed rifle, Austad took the bull on Sept. 30, 2008. He hunted for 13 days before connecting with the trophy, dubbed “spider bull” for its unique antler configuration.

For details, visit www.booneandcrockettclub.com.

Ice skating in Paducah

Paducah Parks & Recreation's Ice Skating Rink in downtown Paducah has been a big hit this winter. The rink was supposed to close for the season last weekend, but due to popularity, it's now open for the remainder of January. Cost is just $5 per person and it's a wonderful time for kids and adults alike.

Pictured are some Crittenden County skaters enjoying New Year's Day at the Paducah rink. They are (from left) Lauren Beavers, Kaitlin Maynard, Audry Hunt and Lauren Hunt.

The blue milk crates are simplistic aids to help novice ice skaters learn their balance before taking off alone. The crates act as a walker type assistant. After a few minutes, skaters are generally able to glide along on their own. Here's a tip, lace up the skates very tightly on your feet.

Bobcats preliminary schedule released

Marion will open the 2009 KIT League season on the road, rekindling the hottest rivalry from the team’s first foray into the summer collegiate baseball league, if last week’s preliminary league schedule holds true. The team would also spend 31 of its 50 games at the friendly confines of Gordon B. Guess Field.

But several tweaks and changes will be needed before the first pitch is thrown, cautions League Commissioner Randall Morgan.

“This is an imperfect schedule; just a start for getting the final one done,” he said. “It will work out.”

According to the early schedule, the Bobcats begin play May 29 with a three-game series at Tradewater and will face the Pirates seven times in the team’s first 23 games. Marion will host all but three of the 10 games against Tradewater in 2009, according to the posted schedule.

To read more and to link to the entire league schedule, visit MarionBobcats.com.

PSC to hear comments on KU rate request

The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) will hold its second in a series of public meetings Tuesday in western Kentucky to receive comments on the requests for rate increases by Louisville Gas and Electric Co. (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Co. (KU).

“These meetings offer an opportunity for the ratepayers who would be affected by any increases to speak directly to the commissioners,” PSC Chairman David Armstrong said. “We look forward to hearing those comments.’”

Tuesday's meeting will be in the health campus auditorium of Madisonville Community College, 750 N. Laffoon St, at 5:30 p.m. Other meetings will be Monday in Louisville, Thursday in Middlesboro and Jan. 12 in Lexington.

The application and related documents are available on the PSC Web site, psc.ky.gov. The case numbers are 2008-00251 (KU) and 2008-00252 (LG&E).

KU and LG&E are seeking to increase revenue from electricity sales by about 2 percent. An average KU residential customer would see an increase of $4.50 in his or her monthly bill, while the average monthly bill for an LG&E electric customer would increase by $5.20. LG&E is also asking for an increase of nearly 6 percent in gas revenues, which would increase the average monthly residential bill by about $11.

Persons wishing to comment on the proposed increases may do so at the meetings. Depending on the number of people wishing to speak, the length of oral comments may be limited.                                         

Written comments also will be accepted at the meetings. Written comments also may be mailed to the PSC at P.O. Box 615, Frankfort, KY 40602, faxed to (502) 564-9625 or e-mailed from the PSC Web site.

The evidentiary hearing in the case will be held at the PSC offices in Frankfort beginning Jan. 13. It will be open to the public, but there will be only limited opportunity for public comments. Written comments will be accepted through the conclusion of the hearing.
The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Energy and Environment Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in Kentucky and has approximately 100 employees.

Area deaths

Steven Wayne Perryman, 63, of Leesburg, Fla., formerly of Marion, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at his home. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Prentis “Pat” Evitts, 67, of Salem died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 at Livingston Hospital & Healthcare Services. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Click on this link to access local funeral home Web sites.