Area death

Ellie Mae Belt, 84, of Marion, KY. died at 5:38 AM, February 14, 2009 at Crittenden County Health and Rehab. She was a member of Seven Springs Baptist Church. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Saturday report from Kenergy

Kenergy currently has 1,910 customers remaining without power.

Here's the breakdown by county of Saturday:
Caldwell 13
Crittenden 25
Daviess 192
Hancock 50
Henderson 472
Hopkins 285
Lyon 20
McLean 304
Ohio 236
Union 150
Webster 163

Homecoming Queen and King

Senior Mary Holloman was crowned homecoming queen Friday night at the Crittenden vs. St. Mary basketball game. Senior basketball player Cody Dunham was king. The Rockets and Lady Rockets each won their ballgames.

At halftime of the boys' game, Markeata Brown Daniels and Nicky Brown were inducted in the Farmers Bank and Trust Co., Marion-Crittenden County Basketball Hall of Fame.

If you took photos of the crowning of the queen or hall of fame induction, share them by sending to thepress@the-press.com.

Kenergy Update Friday evening

Kenergy has approximately 4,353 customers remaining without power.

Breakdown by county:
Caldwell 50
Crittenden 135
Daviess 373
Hancock 98
Henderson 639
Hopkins 872
Lyon 284
McLean 395
Ohio 303
Union 819
Webster 385

$787 billion stimulus package almost law

It's all but final. President Barack Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus plan passed the U.S. House of Representatives Friday without a single vote from Republicans and is poised to gain senate approval later tonight.

In a losing effort, Congressman Ed Whitfield and every other Republican in the House of Representatives, as well as seven Democrats, voted against passage of the unprecedented package of spending and tax cuts. The measure sailed through the Democratically-controlled House 246-183 and quickly moved to a senate roll call where it lacks only one vote to reach final approval. That missing vote is expected later tonight when Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown returns from home from his mother's funeral. 

Kentucky GOP Sens. Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning both voted against the package in the upper chamber, but three moderate Republicans sided with Democrats to reach 59 votes. Brown, a Democrat who has voted for a larger version of the stimulus plan in the past, is expected to send the bill to Obama's desk to become law.

On the House floor, GOP Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner of Ohio charged that the bill gained passage without one member of congress having read the 1,100-page document.

Spring forest fire hazard season starts Sunday

Though Crittenden County's burn ban has been lifted, outdoor burning restrictions start across the state this weekend.

Kentucky law designates Feb. 15 through April 30 as spring forest fire hazard season. During this time, it is illegal to burn anything within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland between the daylight hours of 6 a.m., and 6 p.m. The law is intended to prevent forest fires by allowing outdoor burning only during the time when conditions are less likely to cause a wildfire to spread.

While it is not illegal to burn after 6 p.m., forestry officials say that now is not a good time to do any burning due to the fallen trees and limbs from recent storms.

“The fallen timber will dry out and become fuel for future wildfires,” said Leah MacSwords, director of the Division of Forestry. “We are also concerned about escaped fires caused by residents burning storm debris. Although most people who burn debris do no intend for their fire to get out of control, it frequently happens. Last year, 4,871 acres burned in Kentucky as a result of debris fires that escaped.”

Most of the wildfires in Kentucky are caused by human negligence or by malicious arson; therefore, most wildfires are preventable. To reduce the risk of wildfire, the division recommends the following guidelines:

Debris Burning

• Clear a safe zone that is wide enough to prevent the escape of fire.
  
• Keep a supply of water and a rake or shovel readily accessible.
  
• Do not leave a fire unattended.
  
• Burn only when the wind is calm and the humidity level is high.
  
• Extinguish fire completely if conditions become windy.
  
• Keep burn piles small to allow quick control of the fire if necessary.
  
• Locate burn piles an adequate distance from structures and utilities.
  
• Obey all outdoor burning laws including forest fire laws, air pollution regulations and local ordinances. 
  

Kenergy contractor injured in Lyon County

A power company contractor working for Kenergy was injured when a utility pole that was being lifted came into contact with a high voltage transmission line in Lyon County.

According to Kenergy President and CEO, Sandy Novick, “The gentleman was immediately taken to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, where he is reported to be in stable condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time."

No further details were available.

A contract lineman working in McCracken died yesterday from injuries he sustained in a fall earlier this week.

Whitfield asks for 100 percent clean up funding

News release from U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield

WASHINGTON – Continuing his efforts to ensure that Kentucky receives the resources and funds that it needs to clean up and rebuild following the ice storms which devastated the region last month, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) spoke to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) yesterday to request that the federal government shoulder one hundred percent of the costs for repair and clean up.

“Local governments in Kentucky are already facing significant budget shortfalls this year,” Whitfield said. “The additional financial burden imposed by the ice storms is simply too much for our counties and towns to bear. It is essential that FEMA step up to the plate and ensure that local officials have the funds and resources they need to clean up and rebuild.”

Whitfield spoke to FEMA Acting Administrator Nancy Ward and expressed the dire need for FEMA to pay for one hundred percent of the repair costs from damage which occurred following the initial storm. Administrator Ward told Whitfield that FEMA was still reviewing the request, but that she expected damage assessments to be finalized by next week.

Typically under such circumstances when an emergency is declared, the federal government pays 75 percent of the costs and state and local governments pay the other 25 percent. During the phone call, Whitfield told Administrator Ward that the severity of the storms, which crippled much of the Commonwealth and most of the First Congressional District, warranted FEMA covering the entire costs of clean-up and repair under the emergency declaration. The Congressman is exploring ways to increase the federal cost share for the overall storm clean-up which is expected to take months and a heavy toll on county and city budgets.

Whitfield joined the entire Kentucky Congressional Delegation last week in sending a letter to President Barack Obama asking for this one hundred percent seven-day cost-share, which Governor Steve Beshear previously requested. Whitfield and his staff have continued to be actively involved in recovery efforts, working with FEMA and the Kentucky National Guard. The Congressman has also stayed in close contact with utility companies and emergency workers to make certain that power is fully restored as quickly as possible.

Kenergy power update Friday

Kenergy reports significant progress yesterday. The power company that service much of Crittenden County currently has 5,914 customers without power in its 14-county service area.

While 167 Crittenden County customers remain without electricity, a portion of those reflect outages at hunting camps, well sites, barns and garages. Very few home remain without power at this point, according to local officials.

Kenergy says that it has implemented a 10-day waiver for electrical inspections. In other words, residents can have power restored to their home by the power company and take 10 days to have it inspected. Generally, the inspection must be done before power will be turned on. 

Outage breakdown by counties:

Breckinridge 2
Caldwell 258
Crittenden 167
Daviess 640
Hancock 272
Henderson 758
Hopkins 1,280
Lyon 351
McLean 528
Ohio 358
Union 854
Webster 446

Line worker dies from McCracken fall

A Minnesota utility worker involved in an accident earlier in the week in McCracken County died Thursday at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. 

Jackson Purchase Energy said 35-year-old Andrew Reichwein died at 8:30 a.m., at Lourdes Hospital. Reichwein was a guest worker from Minnesota. He and a local lineman were working on a power line when both men fell almost 40 feet. 

A 300 pound transformer fell on top of Reichwein, official said.

His death brings the total fatalities from the storm to 36 statewide.

Wednesday wind storm cuts power to 150,000

About 54,100 Kentucky electric customers remain without power as the result of a severe wind storm that swept across the state yesterday, according to figures compiled by the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC).

That number is in addition to the 26,200 customers still without power due to last month’s massive ice storm. Nearly all of those are in western Kentucky.

Power outages statewide total 81,411 customers.

With wind gusts reported in excess of 70 miles per hour, yesterday’s storm knocked out power to at least 150,000 homes and businesses, according to reports received by the PSC from regulated utilities. Most of the wind damage was in the eastern half of the state.

Although the wind storm caused relatively few new outages in western Kentucky, electric providers are reporting that it hampered most restoration work yesterday. Saturated ground due to heavy rains is expected to slow restoration in some areas over the next few days.

About 742,500 (96 percent) of the nearly 770,000 customers who lost power at the peak of the ice storm had power restored before the wind storm arrived. It is unknown how many of the customers who lost power during the ice storm lost it again yesterday.

Local legislators weigh in on key issues

State Rep. Mike Cherry of Princeton voted Wednesday to approve legislation that would increase taxes on tobacco and alcohol in order to help close a $456 million shortfall in Kentucky's current budget.

House Bill 144 is expected to generate an additional $150 million in revenue for the commonwealth by adding 30 cents to the tax on a pack of cigarettes, doubling the tax on pouch, snuff and dip tobacco and lifting the current sales tax waiver on the purchase of package liquor or beer. Cherry, who represents Crittenden, Livingston and Caldwell counties, was one of 60 House Democrats, along with four Republicans, to vote for the measure. 

HB 144 passed 64-34 and now awaits a Senate vote, which Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville) has promised by Friday. In fact, the legislation on Thursday passed a senate committee vote 9-7 to head to the senate floor.

Williams, the top Republican in the GOP-controlled senate, supports the bill.

Meantime, Sen. Dorsey Ridley (D-Henderson), voted in favor of one education bill this week presented by Crittenden County native Sen. Ken Winters (R-Murray) and against another.

Ridley joined a 36-0 vote Tuesday to make extensive changes to the state student testing that would remove open-response in favor a national norm-referenced testing that uses multiple choice on the end-of-the-year exams. Writing portfolios would be used only as a teachers tool, not as a portion of the CATS test. In essence, Senate Bill 1 would axe CATS testing as it has been known the last two decades. 

Ridley represents Crittenden, Livingston, Caldwell, Union, Webster and Henderson counties.

Ridley, though, opposed another measure from Winters to reduce the number of required high school credits from 22 to 15. The move, Winters said, would allow students aggressive about their education to graduate high school in three years instead of four, after completing all 15 core content courses. Senate Bill 3 passed Tuesday 24-12.

Both senate bills now head to the House.

Kenergy power update Thursday

Kenergy has approximately 10,986 members remaining without power due to the ice storm late last month and wind damage this week.

Here is a breakdown by counties:
Caldwell 433
Crittenden 234
Daviess 2,141
Hancock 989
Henderson 1,395
Hopkins 1,639
Lyon 560
McLean 891
Muhlenberg 7
Ohio 621
Union 1,073
Webster 1,001

Burn ban lifted in Crittenden County

Effective as of 8 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009 (today), the countywide burn ban has been lifted.

According to Judge-Executive Fred Brown, anyone burning debris must still abide by the state law regarding burning, which prohibits outdoor flames during daylight hours between 6 a.m., and 6 p.m., with 150 feet of a forest or grassland.

Winds damage buildings in county

FROM STAFF & AP REPORTS

Storms lashed Kentucky with fierce winds Wednesday amid springlike warmth, causing a new round of power outages in a state recovering from a crippling ice storm that still has thousands in the dark.

In Crittenden County, wind damage was widespread. Crittenden Farm Supply lost its roof as did several homes in the area. Barns were damaged and trees and power lines were downed. Power company Kenergy said the wind storm caused further outages and slowed work by crews to restore power to about other 11,000 customers still without electricity from the ice storm. Most in Crittenden County now have electricity.

The latest power disruptions overlapped several outages statewide from the ice storm, leaving some customers without electricity for a second time in a month. Kentucky Public Service Commission spokesman Andrew Melnykovych said Wednesday night that the wind and rain storms had resulted in at least 120,000 new outages, a figure that doesn't include Tennessee Valley Authority cooperatives or municipalities.

There were reports of possible injuries in Trimble, Johnson, Hopkins and Whitley counties and of possible tornadoes in Breathitt, Garrard, Knox and Whitley counties, said Buddy Rogers, spokesman for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management.

In western Kentucky, three tractor-trailers were blown over, two on the Pennyrile Parkway and one on the Audubon Parkway, Kentucky State Police said. One driver suffered a broken collar bone, but the other two were uninjured, police said. Western Kentucky was pounded by sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph, said weather service meteorologist Robin Smith in Paducah. Wind gusts reached 63 mph at Paducah and near Madisonville.

At Murray State University, electricity was knocked off Wednesday afternoon to two residential halls, the main library and some administration buildings due to a broken power pole, said university spokeswoman Catherine Sivills. Efforts to restore power were hampered by continued strong winds, but all power on campus was back by 4:45 p.m., she said.

Kenergy appreciates kind words

News Release from Kenergy

“When crews return from working at the end of a long day, many of the guys
share stories with us about the many acts of kindness from our members,”
says Lisa Vincent, Kenergy Communication Manager.

“These men are working long, hard hours in very unfavorable conditions.”
They appreciate more than words can express the kind gestures. They have
been offered hot drinks and food. Many have offered to clear paths so the
utility trucks could access the roads. Offices have been stocked with
home-baked cookies and cakes. In addition, community support has been
overwhelming. Churches and other local organizations have served hot meals
to the crews at the end of the day,” adds Vincent.

Since the beginning of the ice storm Kenergy has restored power to
approximately 31,000 members. There is still work to be done. Significant
progress has been made to the 3-phase lines that serve large numbers of
members. “However, the winds and rain we have experienced today have slowed
progress. In fact, in some areas outages have increased slightly. Mother
nature isn’t working in our favor right now,” says Kenergy President and CEO
Sandy Novick.

Kenergy is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative,
serving customers in all or portions of 14 western Kentucky counties. The
corporate headquarters is in Henderson with service centers being located in
Owensboro, Hanson, Hartford, Hawesville and Marion.

High winds close Ohio River ferry

The Cave In Rock Ferry has shut down today due to high winds on the Ohio River. The ferry will remain closed until winds die down significantly. 

The ferry connects Ky. 91 with Ill. 1 across the Ohio River between Crittenden County and Hardin County, Ill. The ferry normally operates from 6 a.m., to 10 p.m,. central time, seven days a week. The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day.

Price of postage going up

The U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday put in its two cents on the faltering economy.

On May 11, the postal service announced yesterday, the price of a First-Class Mail postage stamp will go from 42 cents to 44 cents. A postcard will go up a penny to 28 cents. The cost of other mailing services, including for periodicals such as The Crittenden Press, will also be changing, according to a release on USPS.com.

New postage rates are announced in February of each year, three months before the new prices take effect. The rates are tied to inflation the year before. Post office officials claim the increase in First-Class Mail prices will cost the average U.S. family only $3 a year. 

The current 42-cent Forever stamps can still be used at any time after May 11.

For a listing of all new postal rates, click here.

Today's winds can be very dangerous

The National Weather Service at Paducah is predicting rain showers, isolated thunderstorms and winds gusting from 40 to 50 mph today. The weather advisory is in effect until 5 p.m.

These strong winds can be especially dangerous with so many dangling and loosely hanging limbs left by the recent ice storm. Local officials are telling residents to use extreme caution and urging them to avoid being underneath limbs or power lines during today's extreme weather conditions.

Livingston Middle School teacher charged

A Livingston Middle School teacher is charged with filming cheerleaders with a video camera from underneath the bleachers at a basketball game in Mayfield.

Police charged Steve L. McCuiston, 51, with voyeurism, eavesdropping, disorderly conduct and tampering with evidence. Reports say that DVDs and CDs found in his vehicle were taken into evidence.

He has been employed at Livingston Middle School since 2005. He is not a coach.

Police took into evidence the video camera, which they say the suspect threw into the grass after being confronted by parents.

The Paducah Sun has a full story on the incident. Click here for more. This requires a subscription to The Sun Online.

According to The Sun, McCuiston is on paid leave from Livingston County School District. He did not teach Tuesday.