We received this e-mail today:
Friday, January 30, 2009 1:01 PM
SUBJECT: Help is on the way !!!
Hi,
My name is Pam Whitehurst, I live in Tarboro, NC. This morning my boyfriend left out on his way to Marion, he works for Edgecombe Martin County Electric Membership. I know they have 2 bucket trucks & I think 3 line trucks and pickup trucks on the way. They were in Greensboro, NC around lunch time, they will be driving until they get there. Ya'll are in my prayers.
Thanks and take care
Pam Whitehurst
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
PDF Version of Paper Available for Online Subscribers
Although power outages prevented the updates to the main page of The Crittenden Press Online, the full PDF version of the Jan. 29 issue is available for online subscribers.
Among this week's headlines:
--"Pathway graduates 1st class" (information on Pathway Academy,Crittenden County School District's newly-implemented alternative learning center)
--"‘09 icing could be as bad as ‘08, perhaps worse" (I think we know the answer to this)
--"Livingston set to open new justice center"
--"Coal earns schools 45 new computers"
Once electricity is restored, the newspaper will be updated online. Thank you for your patience during this challenging time.
In the meantime, please send your news tips to matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.
Among this week's headlines:
--"Pathway graduates 1st class" (information on Pathway Academy,Crittenden County School District's newly-implemented alternative learning center)
--"‘09 icing could be as bad as ‘08, perhaps worse" (I think we know the answer to this)
--"Livingston set to open new justice center"
--"Coal earns schools 45 new computers"
Once electricity is restored, the newspaper will be updated online. Thank you for your patience during this challenging time.
In the meantime, please send your news tips to matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.
Not Even a Year Ago: Crittenden Deals With Back-to-Back Natural Disasters
Less than a year ago, Crittenden County was dealing with the worst widespread natural disaster in the area in 25 years. By all accounts, the storm there now is the worst ever. Some octogenarians are reporting this is the "worst in a lifetime."Here's the cover of the Feb. 14, 2008 issue. To read the archives from that issue, go here: http://www.the-press.com/Feb%2014%202008.html. This issue and the following issue contained some useful tips on food storage issues and dealing with tree removal contractors (hint: make sure they have insurance and carry workman's compensation coverage). An index of archived issues can be found here: http://www.the-press.com/articlearchive.html.
Update: Healthcare Systems
For those concerned about the welfare of friends and relatives in hospitals and nursing homes, we attempted to reach healthcare centers in the Crittenden County area between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Central time on Thursday. Hospitals and nursing homes are the highest ranked in terms of power restoration priority. Here are our results of calls:
--New Haven Assisted Living Facility: no answer. 270-965-4092.
--Crittenden County Health & Rehabilitation Center (formerly known as the Crittenden County Convalescent Center): 270-965-2218. Director of Nursing Kelly Stone reports the following: "Generators are supplying heat and electricity. We're cooking with gas in the dining room. We have plenty of personal sanitary wipes. Everyone is staying clean, dry, fed and warm." She added staff has been wonderful, some even staying overnight at the facility. She also noted support from the community, particularly Conrad's and Pamida, has been "amazing."
--Crittenden Health Systems (Crittenden County Hospital): 270-965-5281. Rapid busy signal.
--Livingston Hospital & Healthcare Service, Inc.: 270-988-2299. Running on a generator. (Awaiting a return call from a spokesperson).
--New Haven Assisted Living Facility: no answer. 270-965-4092.
--Crittenden County Health & Rehabilitation Center (formerly known as the Crittenden County Convalescent Center): 270-965-2218. Director of Nursing Kelly Stone reports the following: "Generators are supplying heat and electricity. We're cooking with gas in the dining room. We have plenty of personal sanitary wipes. Everyone is staying clean, dry, fed and warm." She added staff has been wonderful, some even staying overnight at the facility. She also noted support from the community, particularly Conrad's and Pamida, has been "amazing."
--Crittenden Health Systems (Crittenden County Hospital): 270-965-5281. Rapid busy signal.
--Livingston Hospital & Healthcare Service, Inc.: 270-988-2299. Running on a generator. (Awaiting a return call from a spokesperson).
Warming Center Opened at Elementary School
A "Warming Center" is available at the Crittenden County Elementary School for those without heat in Crittenden County. County residents are advised to seek warm shelter.
If anyone has information about the conditions at the hospital or assisted living centers, please e-mail matthewtpatton@yahoo.com and we'll post it here on the blog.
As of 5 p.m. Central, the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department remains "swamped," but reports they are doing everything humanly possible to keep people safe tonight.
If anyone has information about the conditions at the hospital or assisted living centers, please e-mail matthewtpatton@yahoo.com and we'll post it here on the blog.
As of 5 p.m. Central, the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department remains "swamped," but reports they are doing everything humanly possible to keep people safe tonight.
Share Your News Tips, Media
Perhaps your friend e-mailed you some photos before the power went out or was able to send you video or a picture to your cell phone? Maybe your friend uploaded some photos on their Facebook or MySpace account that you can share? Share them with The Crittenden Press Online.
Share your news tips, photos and videos by e-mailing matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.
Share your news tips, photos and videos by e-mailing matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.
Viewer Report 2: View of Towery Rd. and Hwy. 120
Thanks to Bill Hillyard for sharing these photos taken from his Verizon cell phone.
Share your news, photos and video by e-mailing
matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.Food Update: Food Inventory Moving Quickly at Food Giant in Marion
Food Giant in Marion is open until 3 p.m. Central time. The store, according to a representative there, is running on a generator.
"We are out of water and out of loaves of bread, but we have buns in stock." The store also has milk, eggs and other staples. The inventory is moving quickly.
The store is taking cash and check only for purchases.
Meanwhile, the Food Giant location in Eddyville was limiting items to 10 per customer, said Michelle Henderson of Dycusburg.
The phones at Conrad's were unanswered, but we understand they are open for business as well.
"We are out of water and out of loaves of bread, but we have buns in stock." The store also has milk, eggs and other staples. The inventory is moving quickly.
The store is taking cash and check only for purchases.
Meanwhile, the Food Giant location in Eddyville was limiting items to 10 per customer, said Michelle Henderson of Dycusburg.
The phones at Conrad's were unanswered, but we understand they are open for business as well.
Water Update: City Water Will Be Depleted 'Within the Hour'
According to the City of Marion Water and Sewer Department, water in Marion "will be depleted within the hour."
A representative there recommended drawing up as much water (for example, in the bathtub) as residents can hold. Next, he recommended using as much bottled water as possible. Finally, he suggested gathering up snow and boiling it.
State officials are urging strict water conservation until such time water services are restored. The government is seeking generators for those pump stations with outages due to the storm.
The phone went unanswered at the Crittenden-Livingston Water District.
A representative there recommended drawing up as much water (for example, in the bathtub) as residents can hold. Next, he recommended using as much bottled water as possible. Finally, he suggested gathering up snow and boiling it.
State officials are urging strict water conservation until such time water services are restored. The government is seeking generators for those pump stations with outages due to the storm.
The phone went unanswered at the Crittenden-Livingston Water District.
Electrical Update: Out-of-State Workers Headed to Kentucky to Help Restore Service
Workers from as far away as Alabama are headed to Western Kentucky to help with service restoration.
Early Wednesday morning, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative (CAEC) dispatched nine line workers in three bucket trucks and three pickup trucks to help restore power associated with the destructive ice storm that moved through the Midwest.
CAEC’s crew was en route to Owensboro and will be assisting in restoration efforts at Kenergy, a 51,000-member electric cooperative that serves more than 6,700 miles of line in all or portions of 14 western Kentucky counties.
CAEC is part of the nationwide network of nearly 1,000 electric cooperatives that help in recovery efforts as part of emergency assistance procedures.
Source: http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/news/2009/jan/29/crews-head-kentucky-help-ice-storms/
Early Wednesday morning, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative (CAEC) dispatched nine line workers in three bucket trucks and three pickup trucks to help restore power associated with the destructive ice storm that moved through the Midwest.
CAEC’s crew was en route to Owensboro and will be assisting in restoration efforts at Kenergy, a 51,000-member electric cooperative that serves more than 6,700 miles of line in all or portions of 14 western Kentucky counties.
CAEC is part of the nationwide network of nearly 1,000 electric cooperatives that help in recovery efforts as part of emergency assistance procedures.
Source: http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/news/2009/jan/29/crews-head-kentucky-help-ice-storms/
Phone Update: Some Phone Service Restored
Phone service has been restored in some, but not all, parts of Crittenden County.
Some 965 and 988 prefixes are now able to make and receive calls.
We attempted to call the Sheriff's Office in Crittenden County, and the woman who answered the phone said, "Honey, we don't have power, gas or water. All I can say is it's a state of emergency."
She said the department is absolutely swamped and can barely keep up with calls. Unless it's an emergency, please don't call the sheriff's department.
Some 965 and 988 prefixes are now able to make and receive calls.
We attempted to call the Sheriff's Office in Crittenden County, and the woman who answered the phone said, "Honey, we don't have power, gas or water. All I can say is it's a state of emergency."
She said the department is absolutely swamped and can barely keep up with calls. Unless it's an emergency, please don't call the sheriff's department.
Electrical Update: Service Restoration May Take Up to Two Weeks
Ice Storm Update - updated 10:15 a.m., January 29
As of 10:15 a.m., 183,000 LG&E customers are without power, down from 205,000 at the last update. KU has 180,000 customers without power throughout the state.
Downed wires:
LG&E: 8,952
KU: 6,017
2,985 workers are currently working on restoration efforts for both LG&E and KU combined.
Estimating 7 - 10 days before full restoration will occur in LG&E's service area.
Statewide, full restoration may take up to two weeks.
Crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
As of 10:15 a.m., 183,000 LG&E customers are without power, down from 205,000 at the last update. KU has 180,000 customers without power throughout the state.
Downed wires:
LG&E: 8,952
KU: 6,017
2,985 workers are currently working on restoration efforts for both LG&E and KU combined.
Estimating 7 - 10 days before full restoration will occur in LG&E's service area.
Statewide, full restoration may take up to two weeks.
Crews are working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
Viewer Report 1: Central Kentuckian Waiting on Word From Crittenden County
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Michele Rogers of Lexington, Ky., shared this:Your blog is saving me right now! I live in Lexington, and I haven't heard from my boyfriend in Marion since Tuesday! I was hoping he could make it up here. Is the road clear enough to make it to the parkway?
We got hit hard here too. No water or electric for many in Central Kentucky. Here is a pic of the ice here. Enjoy. Keep the updates coming. Any idea when cell phone or electric will return there?
Share your news, photos and video by e-mailing matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.
Web Site Down Due to Storm
Readers of The Press Online will see that all of this week's updates have not been made due to complications from the storm.
The site will be completely updated as soon as possible. Stay tuned to the Breaking News Blog for all your storm related updates, which we are being made from a remote location out of state.
Thank your for your patience.
The site will be completely updated as soon as possible. Stay tuned to the Breaking News Blog for all your storm related updates, which we are being made from a remote location out of state.
Thank your for your patience.
On the Scene: Share Your Storm News, Photos, Videos With The Crittenden Press
Perhaps your friend e-mailed you some photos before the power went out or was able to send you video or a picture to your cell phone? Maybe your friend uploaded some photos on their Facebook or MySpace account that you can share?
Share your news tips, photos and videos of the storm by e-mailing matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.
We'll post your news or multimedia here on this blog.
Share your news tips, photos and videos of the storm by e-mailing matthewtpatton@yahoo.com.
We'll post your news or multimedia here on this blog.
Consumer Alert: Report Suspected Price Gouging
Attorney General Jack Conway is putting Kentucky retailers on notice that price gouging will not be tolerated during times of emergency. Governor Beshear signed an executive order on Tuesday declaring a state of emergency in the wake of the winter storm that has left dozens of Kentucky communities blanketed in snow and ice and tens of thousands without power. Yesterday, General Conway asked Gov. Beshear for an emergency order that will also implement Kentucky’s price gouging laws.
“I have made it clear that I will not tolerate unscrupulous retailers who seek excessive profits during emergency situations. Those who have fallen victim to this storm should not be victimized again by predatory pricing,” General Conway said.
General Conway’s recently concluded investigation into price gouging in the wake of Hurricane Ike resulted in fines totaling $107,500 against eight retail gas stations in seven Kentucky communities.
The emergency declaration issued by Gov. Beshear triggers several consumer protection measures that will remain in place for 30 days. Among them, it empowers the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute, where appropriate, those who sell gasoline, generators, building supplies, chain saws, hotel rooms and other necessary goods and services at an exorbitant price in a time of disaster.
General Conway encourages anyone with specific information regarding possible price gouging to contact the Office of the Attorney General at 1-888-432-9257 or to email icestormcomplaints@ag.ky.gov. He also encourages Kentuckians to stay safe.
“I strongly encourage Kentuckians who are without power to utilize shelters in their communities. Please take caution during this time of emergency, keep your families safe and let’s not forget those around us who may need a helping hand,” said Conway.
“I have made it clear that I will not tolerate unscrupulous retailers who seek excessive profits during emergency situations. Those who have fallen victim to this storm should not be victimized again by predatory pricing,” General Conway said.
General Conway’s recently concluded investigation into price gouging in the wake of Hurricane Ike resulted in fines totaling $107,500 against eight retail gas stations in seven Kentucky communities.
The emergency declaration issued by Gov. Beshear triggers several consumer protection measures that will remain in place for 30 days. Among them, it empowers the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute, where appropriate, those who sell gasoline, generators, building supplies, chain saws, hotel rooms and other necessary goods and services at an exorbitant price in a time of disaster.
General Conway encourages anyone with specific information regarding possible price gouging to contact the Office of the Attorney General at 1-888-432-9257 or to email icestormcomplaints@ag.ky.gov. He also encourages Kentuckians to stay safe.
“I strongly encourage Kentuckians who are without power to utilize shelters in their communities. Please take caution during this time of emergency, keep your families safe and let’s not forget those around us who may need a helping hand,” said Conway.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Federal Agency Provides Tips for Coping During Isolation
As Crittenden Countians face what could be days of isolation in their homes, FEMA provides tips for those impacted by winter weather at its Web site. If you are able to communicate with your loved ones in Crittenden County, in addition to advising them to travel only as necessary, consider arming them with tips on how to stay safe and sound.For example, FEMA notes, "Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. ... Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions."
For the complete list of tips, visit http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=47353.
Posted by Matthew T. Patton
Updates: Some Able to Call Crittenden County, President Declares State Disaster Zone
We're hearing reports that some out-of-state residents have been able to reach the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department to check on relatives. The number is 270-965-3500.We have also learned some calls have been successfully placed to Verizon cellular customers living in Crittenden County. Some landlines are working locally, creating a patchwork system of spotty service.
In other breaking news, President Obama, shortly after 11 p.m., declared Kentucky (and Arkansas) a disaster zone, the first time he has issued such a declaration. The White House said citizens seeking more information should call FEMA at 202-646-4600.
Posted by Matthew T. Patton
Multimedia Report: Winter Storm 2009 Freezes Crittenden In Its Tracks
A special video report by Matthew T. Patton
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