Area death

Kathryn Lee Day, 87 of Hampton died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011 at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation. The funeral is Saturday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Snow still falling, library closing early

Snow continues to fall after lunch time in Marion. Pictured here is Marion Mayor Mickey Alexander cleaning off the sidewalk in front of his brokerage business on Bellville Street.

The Crittenden County Public Library is closing at 1 p.m., to due to the weather.

Class A games postponed

The Class A Basketball Tournament held this week at Rocket Arena is postponed.

The Lady Rockets, who were play Livingston Central tonight, will now play at 7:30 p.m., Friday.

Winter fitness specials

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Roadways very slick, use extreme caution

Road conditions in the county and city are deteriorating rapidly as snow continues to fall. Main highways where pretreating occurred are better than side roads, but still very treacherous.

Use extreme caution, give yourself plenty of stopping room and go slow, if you have to be on the roads today.

School cancelled Thursday for snow

There will be no school in Crittenden County today, Thursday, Jan. 20.

So far, no snow days to make up in spring

So far, none of the snow days missed by Crittenden County students this winter will have to be made up in the spring, according to Al Starnes, director of pupil personnel.

In recent years, the school calendar has been designed with a certain number of built-in snow days. There were eight snow days included in this year’s calendar. So far, students have missed four days, so they have four more available for wintry weather before days have to be made up. The way it's looking, some of those might be used this week as snow is forecast for Thursday.

If students end up missing nine days due to snow, eight will be covered and one day would be made up on April 11. If 10 days are missed, it's the same plan except for the 10th day being made up on March 8.

When schools are canceled or even delayed, a great deal of thought and time goes into each decision, Starnes said. Once a forecast for snow has been issued, Starnes immediately starts tracking the looming weather. Once snow has fallen, school officials are out checking conditions firsthand.

Using a weather application on his phone, watching WPSD and staying in touch with the National Weather Service, Starnes is able to be on top of weather forecasts. Consulting with officials from surrounding counties helps, too. When it snows, the school sends an automated phone message to hundreds of numbers at once. You can also check here at The Press Online for closing updates.

For more, see this week's printed edition.

Oil spill causing problems on US 60 West

A tanker truck carrying some type of petroleum product has leaked as it traveled along U.S. 60 West in Crittenden and Livingston counties. Multiple automobile crashes have been reported as a result of the material being leaked onto the highway, creating slick spots. Driving is very hazardous, officials say.

The Kentucky Department of Highways has dispatched a crew to the area, which has been applying sand to trouble areas.

Appropriate caution is advised for all motorists traveling on U.S. 60 West between Marion and Smithland, said Keith Todd, spokesman for the Kentucky Department of Highways.

Area death

Clifton "Giggs" Guess, 81, of Marion died Friday at Crittenden County Health and Rehab. The funeral is 1 p.m., Sunday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Assault on smoking continues in Frankfort

A bill filed by House Speaker Greg Stumbo would make it illegal to smoke in a car carrying children, the Associated Press is reporting.

The Prestonsburg Democrat told the Lexington Herald-Leader that the idea for the bill came from a conversation with his wife, Mary Karen. He said they both observed adults get into a vehicle on a cold day with young children while continuing to smoke and felt there should be a law to protect the youngsters.

Opponents of the bill say it isn't needed.

Bardstown Republican Rep. David Floyd says it would open the door to needless government intrusion in every aspect of life.

Longtime water district manager dies

Donnie Beavers, 53, of Marion died Friday, Jan. 14 at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah after a short battle with cancer. Beavers was a longtime superintendent of the Crittenden-Livingston Water District, founding member of the local National Wild Turkey Federation and active supporter of Hunters for the Hungry. Beavers was also a major supporter of the Marion-Crittenden County Athletics Hall of Fame. He was a husband and father of two.

Visitation is from 5-9 p.m., Sunday and the funeral is at 11 a.m., Monday at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion.

Local miner hurt in morning fire at Warrior

One of two Warrior Coal Mine workers injured in a mine fire early this morning is from Crittenden County.

Eddie Perryman of Marion was only slightly injured when a surface drill rig hit a pocket of natural gas around 5:30 a.m, today at the Hopkins County mine. The gas ignited, burning the rig and injuring two workers. Perryman was operating the rig. The other miner hurt did not appear to have life-threatening injuries.

The workers were sent to the Regional Medical Center for treatment. Perryman was released but the other worker is being kept for observation.

Tomorrow is big barbecue day at downtown grill

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Proposed smoking ban hits home in Marion

With few places remaining to enjoy a cup of coffee and cigarette after a meal, Richard Cruce built his restaurant with smokers in mind. Since Just-A-Burg’r opened its doors on North Main Street in Marion a few years ago, ashtrays have been placed on the table tops alongside a staple of condiments.

The eatery is now one of the few places in Marion that welcome smokers. If approved, legislation introduced Friday in the Kentucky House of Representatives would make it a crime for diners to light up inside Just-A-Burg'r or under virtually any roof in the commonwealth.

House Bill 193, offered by Lexington Democrat Susan Westrom, would prohibit smoking in all public places and places of employment. The measure would outlaw smoking at not only restaurants, bars and most workplaces, but would set restrictions on just how close smokers would be allowed to light up outside of such places. All rooms at hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts would also be required to be smoke-free.

Kent Wilcox of Marion believes such a law goes too far. The 27-year-old smoker says business owners like Cruce should be able to decide their own smoking policies, not the government.

“If they don’t want smoking, it’s as simple as putting a no-smoking sign in the window,” Wilcox said.

Wilcox enjoys his cigarettes, but doesn’t like being around others’ smoke. Because of that, he tries to be respectful of others by stepping away when he feels the urge. He believes, though, that the options are simple for his and others wanting to avoid places where smoking is allowed.

“I have the choice to walk out,” he said.

Cruce says he built his restaurant with his smoking friends in mind, installing ventilation designed to keep the air cleaner. He attributes a fair amount of business to the fact that he allows smoking. Each morning, a group of men with few other places to enjoy a smoke with friends gather around a large table top, sharing stories and cigarettes with breakfast.

“That’s why they come in,” Cruce said.

Read more of this article in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, or subscribe to the full version of the newspaper online by clicking here.

December was a cold one

Average temperature last month in Crittenden County was below freezing at 31.1 degrees.

The average low was 24.6 andthe average high 37.7, according to the Kentucky Mesonet, which has a weather station near Mattoon.

The warmest recorded temperature was 64.7 degrees on the last day of the year and the coldest was 3.5 degrees on Dec. 14. There was 1.97 inches of precipitation last mont. See more at KyMesonet.com.

Senator speaks at Chamber event tomorrow

State Sen. Dorsey Ridley will be keynote speaker during a noon luncheon Thursday. The City of Marion is underwriting the Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce quarterly luncheon. The event will be at Marion Ed-Tech Center. Reservations were required for the lunch, but the public is invited to hear the senator's speech.

Cave In Rock Ferry reopen this morning

The Cave In Rock Ferry is open this morning.

It shut down Tuesday afternoon due to high winds on the Ohio River.

The ferry resumed normal service at 6 a.m. today.

The ferry connects Ky. 91 with Illinois Route 1 across the Ohio River between Crittenden County and Hardin County, Ill. It normally operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week. The ferry carries about 500 vehicles across the Ohio River in an average day.

School one hour late today

Crittenden County schools will open one hour late Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Buses will run one hour later than normal. School Transportation Director Al Starnes says that going an hour late, keeps bus drivers from having to be out on potentially snowy or icy roads before daylight. The later route allows for safer travel, he said.

School back in session on Wednesday

Crittenden County schools will be back in session Wednesday, Jan. 12 as long as there is no additional accumulation of snow overnight.

Cave In Rock Ferry closed

The Cave In Rock Ferry has closed due to high winds today. When winds subside, the ferry reopen.