An Illinois man died from injuries received in a single-vehicle accident just before dark Sunday on Ky. 365 north of Mattoon. According to Crittenden County Sheriff's Department, Shannon T. Vaughn of Carmi, Ill., died at Crittenden Health Systems after being transported by ambulance from the scene of the crash.
Vaughn, driving a 2006 GMC Sierra, ran off the roadway and struck a tree before the truck came to a rest down an embankment. Only the driver, who was wearing his seat belt, was in the vehicle.
Crittenden County Rescue Squad used the jaws of life to extricate the victim.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Murray professor: Higher education too costly
In an editorial piece, Bob Lochte, chair of the Department of
Journalism and Mass Communications at Murray State University, expresses
his concerns about the cost of a college education in Kentucky.
"Simply put, we are pricing a university education out of the reach of many Kentucky high school graduates at precisely the time more of them are well-prepared to earn Bachelor’s and higher degrees. If this is happening at a relatively low-cost university such as Murray State, the problem looms larger elsewhere. We must do something about this or run the risk of frustrating the aims of more than two decades of education reform," Lochte writes.
For the complete editorial, visit the Kentucky Press Association's News Content Service.
"Simply put, we are pricing a university education out of the reach of many Kentucky high school graduates at precisely the time more of them are well-prepared to earn Bachelor’s and higher degrees. If this is happening at a relatively low-cost university such as Murray State, the problem looms larger elsewhere. We must do something about this or run the risk of frustrating the aims of more than two decades of education reform," Lochte writes.
For the complete editorial, visit the Kentucky Press Association's News Content Service.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Tyson ground beef recalled for E. coli threat
Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., is recalling approximately 40,948 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The following products are subject to recall:
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS monitoring which confirmed a positive result for E.coli and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.
This form of E. coli is a bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.
Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company at (866) 328-3156. Media with questions regarding the recall should contact the company’s Director of Public Relations, Gary Mickelson at (479) 290-6111.
The following products are subject to recall:
- 10-pound chubs of “CHUCK FINE GROUND BEEF 80/20,” packed in cases containing eight chubs.
The problem was discovered through routine FSIS monitoring which confirmed a positive result for E.coli and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.
This form of E. coli is a bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.
Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact the company at (866) 328-3156. Media with questions regarding the recall should contact the company’s Director of Public Relations, Gary Mickelson at (479) 290-6111.
Kentucky soldiers react to end of Iraq War
Soldiers have mixed feelings about end of war
When Sgt. Daryl Casey of the Kentucky National Guard returned home from his second deployment to Iraq last winter, he was already gearing up for his third. Although President Obama declared in August of last year that Operation Iraqi Freedom had ended, the Frankfort resident knew the National Guard was still deploying men and women to Iraq - and it made him feel uneasy. But today, that feeling is gone, as the U.S. military officially declared an end to its Iraq mission in a low-key closing ceremony Thursday at a Baghdad airport.
For the complete story in The (Frankfort) State Journal, follow this link.
Veterans react to end of Iraq War
The U.S. this week closed a chapter in its War on Terror, officially ending its mission in Iraq after nearly nine years of combat. The pullout of U.S. troops from the embattled country drew mixed opinions among Hardin County veterans, some of whom have been directly affected by the conflict. Ronnie Thompson Jr., an Elizabethtown resident who was injured in late 2004 when an IED struck his Humvee, had his military career end after the roadside bomb put him on a challenging road to rehabilitation. On Thursday, Thompson said he feels the close of the Iraq War is long overdue and it is time to trust that the Iraqi government can rise up and take care of its own without falling prey to insurgent forces.
For the complete story in The (Elizabethtown) News Enterprise, follow this link.
Local reaction
For reaction from local veterans, see next week's edition of The Crittenden Press.
Leaving Iraq
For numerous photos and an accompanying audio of the Kentucky National Guard's exit from Iraq courtesy of New York Times photojournalist Andrea Bruce, visit Leaving Iraq from NYTimes.com. Bruce was an embedded photographer with the unit.
When Sgt. Daryl Casey of the Kentucky National Guard returned home from his second deployment to Iraq last winter, he was already gearing up for his third. Although President Obama declared in August of last year that Operation Iraqi Freedom had ended, the Frankfort resident knew the National Guard was still deploying men and women to Iraq - and it made him feel uneasy. But today, that feeling is gone, as the U.S. military officially declared an end to its Iraq mission in a low-key closing ceremony Thursday at a Baghdad airport.
For the complete story in The (Frankfort) State Journal, follow this link.
Veterans react to end of Iraq War
The U.S. this week closed a chapter in its War on Terror, officially ending its mission in Iraq after nearly nine years of combat. The pullout of U.S. troops from the embattled country drew mixed opinions among Hardin County veterans, some of whom have been directly affected by the conflict. Ronnie Thompson Jr., an Elizabethtown resident who was injured in late 2004 when an IED struck his Humvee, had his military career end after the roadside bomb put him on a challenging road to rehabilitation. On Thursday, Thompson said he feels the close of the Iraq War is long overdue and it is time to trust that the Iraqi government can rise up and take care of its own without falling prey to insurgent forces.
For the complete story in The (Elizabethtown) News Enterprise, follow this link.
Local reaction
For reaction from local veterans, see next week's edition of The Crittenden Press.
Leaving Iraq
For numerous photos and an accompanying audio of the Kentucky National Guard's exit from Iraq courtesy of New York Times photojournalist Andrea Bruce, visit Leaving Iraq from NYTimes.com. Bruce was an embedded photographer with the unit.
Child-death records show need for more talk between social workers and doctors
In early 2010, 22-month-old Danika Charles of Powell County was admitted
to the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital with hair loss and an
ulcer in her mouth, according to a report by state child-protection
workers. While at the hospital, the toddler developed bruises, and she
cried when her mother came into the room, the report said. On Feb. 19,
2010, Danika was rushed to an unnamed regional hospital, where she was
pronounced dead.
The review of Danika's case was one of 14 involving children who died or nearly died in 2009 and 2010 that cited a need for better communication between medical professionals and child-protection workers, according to an analysis by the Lexington Herald-Leader of 86 such reviews.
Follow this link to the complete story in the Herald-Leader.
The review of Danika's case was one of 14 involving children who died or nearly died in 2009 and 2010 that cited a need for better communication between medical professionals and child-protection workers, according to an analysis by the Lexington Herald-Leader of 86 such reviews.
Follow this link to the complete story in the Herald-Leader.
Settlement: KU customers to pay lower rate hike
KPA NEWS CONTENT SERVICE
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) Thursday accepted broad-based settlements in two cases establishing new environmental compliance plans and associated environmental surcharges for Kentucky Utilities Co. and Louisville Gas & Electric Co., meaning local KU customers will be paying about 10 percent more for their monthly bills.
The compliance plans are intended to meet the requirements of several U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations affecting coal-burning electric power plants, according to a PSC press release.
Since 1994, a law enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly has entitled coal-burning utilities such as KU and LG&E to recover environmental compliance costs separately from their general rates. The costs are recovered through a surcharge that appears as a separate item on electric bills.
In orders issued Thursday, the PSC said the settlements "when viewed in total, represent the most reasonable and cost effective course of action for (KU and LG&E) to meet their environmental obligations under the EPA regulations under consideration in this case."
KU and LG&E sought PSC authorization to spend a total of about $2.5 billion to comply with the new federal environmental requirements. The settlement reduces the cost of KU’s compliance plan by about $225 million.
The utilities originally estimated that total electric bills for KU residential customers would see total bills increase by about 12.2 percent over that same time. The settlement reduces the increases to an estimated 9.65 percent for KU customers.
KU estimates that the monthly bill for a customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month (a kilowatt-hour is the amount of electricity used by a 100-watt light bulb in 10 hours) will see an increase $7.47 by 2016 - $1.99 less than under the original proposal.
KU has about 506,000 electric customers in 77 counties across Kentucky, which includes all of Marion and a portion of southern Crittenden County.
The PSC has produced a narrated slide show explaining how it reviews coal-related environmental compliance costs incurred by electric utilities. The presentation explains the legal basis for the recovery of environmental costs, the PSC’s review process and the environmental surcharge through which the costs are passed on to a utility’s ratepayers.
The video, which is about 10 minutes long, is available at this web address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvGmPHRtdNk
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) Thursday accepted broad-based settlements in two cases establishing new environmental compliance plans and associated environmental surcharges for Kentucky Utilities Co. and Louisville Gas & Electric Co., meaning local KU customers will be paying about 10 percent more for their monthly bills.
The compliance plans are intended to meet the requirements of several U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations affecting coal-burning electric power plants, according to a PSC press release.
Since 1994, a law enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly has entitled coal-burning utilities such as KU and LG&E to recover environmental compliance costs separately from their general rates. The costs are recovered through a surcharge that appears as a separate item on electric bills.
In orders issued Thursday, the PSC said the settlements "when viewed in total, represent the most reasonable and cost effective course of action for (KU and LG&E) to meet their environmental obligations under the EPA regulations under consideration in this case."
KU and LG&E sought PSC authorization to spend a total of about $2.5 billion to comply with the new federal environmental requirements. The settlement reduces the cost of KU’s compliance plan by about $225 million.
The utilities originally estimated that total electric bills for KU residential customers would see total bills increase by about 12.2 percent over that same time. The settlement reduces the increases to an estimated 9.65 percent for KU customers.
KU estimates that the monthly bill for a customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month (a kilowatt-hour is the amount of electricity used by a 100-watt light bulb in 10 hours) will see an increase $7.47 by 2016 - $1.99 less than under the original proposal.
KU has about 506,000 electric customers in 77 counties across Kentucky, which includes all of Marion and a portion of southern Crittenden County.
The PSC has produced a narrated slide show explaining how it reviews coal-related environmental compliance costs incurred by electric utilities. The presentation explains the legal basis for the recovery of environmental costs, the PSC’s review process and the environmental surcharge through which the costs are passed on to a utility’s ratepayers.
The video, which is about 10 minutes long, is available at this web address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvGmPHRtdNk
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Iraq War comes to official end
The war that started March 20, 2003 and affected dozens of Crittenden Countians who either fought in the Iraq or were family members of the troops deployed there came to an official end today.
The almost nine-year war claimed the lives of 4,484 American soldiers and marines and wounded another 31,921, including National Guard soldier Chase Matthews of Dycusburg who suffered catastrophic injuries when his Humvee was hit with a roadside bomb. Guardsman Jonathan McMackin of Marion was also injured in the incident.
No Crittenden Countians were killed in the war, though 59 soldiers from Kentucky gave their lives.
At least eight local Kentucky National Guard soldiers recently returned stateside from Iraq after a four-month overseas deployment with the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commanded by Crittenden County native Col. Scott A. Campbell. Several other former or current residents of the county served in the war, some on multiple deployments.
The Iraq War also claimed the lives of more than 100,000 Iraqis and cost American taxpayers $823 billion.
The Crittenden Press would like to recognize anyone from Crittenden County who served in the war and is asking those to e-mail us with your name, rank, unit and date(s) of deployment.
The almost nine-year war claimed the lives of 4,484 American soldiers and marines and wounded another 31,921, including National Guard soldier Chase Matthews of Dycusburg who suffered catastrophic injuries when his Humvee was hit with a roadside bomb. Guardsman Jonathan McMackin of Marion was also injured in the incident.
No Crittenden Countians were killed in the war, though 59 soldiers from Kentucky gave their lives.
At least eight local Kentucky National Guard soldiers recently returned stateside from Iraq after a four-month overseas deployment with the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commanded by Crittenden County native Col. Scott A. Campbell. Several other former or current residents of the county served in the war, some on multiple deployments.
The Iraq War also claimed the lives of more than 100,000 Iraqis and cost American taxpayers $823 billion.
The Crittenden Press would like to recognize anyone from Crittenden County who served in the war and is asking those to e-mail us with your name, rank, unit and date(s) of deployment.
State jobless rate down
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate fell to 9.4 percent in November 2011 from 9.6 percent in October 2011, according to the Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
The preliminary November 2011 jobless rate was 0.8 percentage point below the 10.2 percent rate recorded for the state in November 2010. The state’s November 2011 rate is the lowest since the January 2009 rate of 9.2 percent.
The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate dropped to 8.6 percent in November 2011 from nine percent in October 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
“The year-to-year data shows a positive growth trend with the unemployment rate dropping nearly one percent over the past year. In the last month, a decline in the civilian labor force was the main factor in the decrease in the unemployment rate as people dropped out of the workforce, which is contrary to the trend over the year,” said Ron Crouch, OET director of Research and Statistics.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working.
The preliminary November 2011 jobless rate was 0.8 percentage point below the 10.2 percent rate recorded for the state in November 2010. The state’s November 2011 rate is the lowest since the January 2009 rate of 9.2 percent.
The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate dropped to 8.6 percent in November 2011 from nine percent in October 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
“The year-to-year data shows a positive growth trend with the unemployment rate dropping nearly one percent over the past year. In the last month, a decline in the civilian labor force was the main factor in the decrease in the unemployment rate as people dropped out of the workforce, which is contrary to the trend over the year,” said Ron Crouch, OET director of Research and Statistics.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working.
Marion woman injured in U.S. 641 crash
 |
| PHOTO BY KEITH TODD |
According to Kentucky State Police, Amanda Winters, 20, sustained minor injuries in a wreck just before 7 a.m., when her southbound 2009 Dodge Caliber was side-swiped by an oncoming vehicle attempting to pass another. Though Winters appeared to have a slight head injury, she was not transported for treatment.
Police say Winters' vehicle was hit by a 1992 Toyota pickup driven by Sebastian Hughes, 18, of Fredonia as he was attempting to pass a car in front of him. Both vehicles exited the roadway and came to a rest in a ditch. Hughes was not injured.
Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.
Newspaper asks judge to force release of uncensored child-death records
The Lexington Herald-Leader asked a judge Wednesday to order the state
to turn over uncensored copies of documents regarding Kentucky children
who have been killed or nearly killed because of abuse and neglect.
In a motion filed in Franklin Circuit Court, the Herald-Leader asked Judge Phillip Shepherd to make the Cabinet for Health and Family Services produce unaltered copies of more than 80 internal reviews conducted by state social workers after deaths or near-deaths of children. The newspaper's motion came the same day The Courier-Journal filed a motion in Franklin Circuit Court asking that the cabinet be held in contempt for redacting information from the case files.
A hearing in the case is set for next Wednesday.
For the complete story, follow this link to The Lexington Herald-Leader.
In a motion filed in Franklin Circuit Court, the Herald-Leader asked Judge Phillip Shepherd to make the Cabinet for Health and Family Services produce unaltered copies of more than 80 internal reviews conducted by state social workers after deaths or near-deaths of children. The newspaper's motion came the same day The Courier-Journal filed a motion in Franklin Circuit Court asking that the cabinet be held in contempt for redacting information from the case files.
A hearing in the case is set for next Wednesday.
For the complete story, follow this link to The Lexington Herald-Leader.
Insurers must offer child-only insurance policies
KPA NEWS CONTENT SERVICE
Under a 2010 order from Kentucky Insurance Commissioner Sharon P. Clark, all insurers selling in the state's individual health insurance market must offer an annual open enrollment period in January for Kentuckians under age 19.
The annual open enrollment was ordered for each January beginning in 2011 and ending in 2013. As part of federal health reform, insurers will not be allowed to deny coverage, regardless of health status, in 2014.
Clark took the action after insurers notified the Department of Insurance in 2010 that they planned to cease writing policies on Sept. 23 of that year, the date the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act prohibited companies offering these policies from denying coverage because of an applicant’s pre-existing health condition. At that time, Clark said she was concerned that all Kentucky children who needed a “child-only” policy, even those who were healthy, would have to turn to Kentucky Access, the state’s high-risk pool, placing extra demands on that program.
“This was our way of protecting these young Kentuckians while providing a level playing field for insurers,” Clark said. “We urge all consumers needing this coverage to take advantage of this window of opportunity.”
A list of health insurers required to offer these policies is available at http://insurance.ky.gov.
Under a 2010 order from Kentucky Insurance Commissioner Sharon P. Clark, all insurers selling in the state's individual health insurance market must offer an annual open enrollment period in January for Kentuckians under age 19.
The annual open enrollment was ordered for each January beginning in 2011 and ending in 2013. As part of federal health reform, insurers will not be allowed to deny coverage, regardless of health status, in 2014.
Clark took the action after insurers notified the Department of Insurance in 2010 that they planned to cease writing policies on Sept. 23 of that year, the date the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act prohibited companies offering these policies from denying coverage because of an applicant’s pre-existing health condition. At that time, Clark said she was concerned that all Kentucky children who needed a “child-only” policy, even those who were healthy, would have to turn to Kentucky Access, the state’s high-risk pool, placing extra demands on that program.
“This was our way of protecting these young Kentuckians while providing a level playing field for insurers,” Clark said. “We urge all consumers needing this coverage to take advantage of this window of opportunity.”
A list of health insurers required to offer these policies is available at http://insurance.ky.gov.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Area death
James Harold Kemper, 63, of Marion died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011 at his residence. Funeral services are Saturday at Myers Funeral Home.
Lawmakers think support there for gaming vote
State representatives Derrick Graham and Carl Rollins believe there’s
support for a constitutional amendment on expanded gaming, but Sen.
Julian Carroll says any proposal must be vetted before there’s a vote.
That’s in response to Gov. Steve Beshear’s inaugural address, in which he called on leaders to “find the political courage and the will to lay the foundation” for the future before saying he’ll again push for a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling.
Sen. Dorsey Ridley, who represents Crittenden, Livingston, Caldwell, Union, Webster and Henderson counties, said earlier this month he expects to be voting on the matter in the upcoming session.
"I don't know what will be the results, but the discussion will be there and I think it will come to a vote on the Senate floor," Ridley was quoted in The Henderson Gleaner. "I don't know what the language of that bill will look like, but I look forward to seeing that."
Beshear shared broad plans for his second term during his 20-minute inaugural address Tuesday, mentioning job creation, education, gambling and restructuring the state’s tax code when the recession ends.
For the full story, follow this link to The (Frankfort) State Journal.
That’s in response to Gov. Steve Beshear’s inaugural address, in which he called on leaders to “find the political courage and the will to lay the foundation” for the future before saying he’ll again push for a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling.
Sen. Dorsey Ridley, who represents Crittenden, Livingston, Caldwell, Union, Webster and Henderson counties, said earlier this month he expects to be voting on the matter in the upcoming session.
"I don't know what will be the results, but the discussion will be there and I think it will come to a vote on the Senate floor," Ridley was quoted in The Henderson Gleaner. "I don't know what the language of that bill will look like, but I look forward to seeing that."
Beshear shared broad plans for his second term during his 20-minute inaugural address Tuesday, mentioning job creation, education, gambling and restructuring the state’s tax code when the recession ends.
For the full story, follow this link to The (Frankfort) State Journal.
Area deaths
Marie Peek Travis, 91, of Princeton, formerly of Marion, died Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 at Princeton Health and Rehab. Services are Thursday at Caldwell Springs Baptist Church. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Tammy Sue Belt Durbin, 39, of Chandler, Ind., formerly of Marion, died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 at her home. Services are scheduled for Thursday at Gilbert Funeral Home.
Frank J. Buchanon, Sr., 87, of Fredonia died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah after a long illness. He was a World War II Army veteran. Services will be Friday at Morgan’s Funeral Home in Princeton.
Tammy Sue Belt Durbin, 39, of Chandler, Ind., formerly of Marion, died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 at her home. Services are scheduled for Thursday at Gilbert Funeral Home.
Frank J. Buchanon, Sr., 87, of Fredonia died Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah after a long illness. He was a World War II Army veteran. Services will be Friday at Morgan’s Funeral Home in Princeton.
Whitfield votes to target fake drugs
Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville) voted in favor of a house resolution aimed at blocking the growing and dangerous abuse of imitation drugs. HR 1254, the Synthetic Drug Control Act, passed the House last week 317-98 with strong bipartisan support.
“Across the country, we have seen a rise in the abuse of substances that imitate the effects of marijuana and other illegal drugs resulting in tragic, and in many cases, avoidable consequences,” said Whitfield.
The owner of One Stop Smoke Shop in Marion has been accused by local authorities of selling 7H, an alleged synthetic marijuana. However, tests by the Kentucky State Police laboratory are not complete and no formal charges have been filed against the store or its owner.
The congressional resolution now awaits a Senate committee hearing.
“Across the country, we have seen a rise in the abuse of substances that imitate the effects of marijuana and other illegal drugs resulting in tragic, and in many cases, avoidable consequences,” said Whitfield.
The owner of One Stop Smoke Shop in Marion has been accused by local authorities of selling 7H, an alleged synthetic marijuana. However, tests by the Kentucky State Police laboratory are not complete and no formal charges have been filed against the store or its owner.
The congressional resolution now awaits a Senate committee hearing.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
New state testing treats evolution as fact
Hart County's school superintendent is arguing that a new test that
Kentucky high school students will take for the first time next spring
will treat evolution as fact, not theory, and will require schools to
teach that way.
Superintendent Ricky D. Line raised the issue in recent letters and email messages to state Education Commissioner Terry Holliday and Kentucky Board of Education members. Line wants them to reconsider the "Blueprint" for Kentucky's new end-of-course test in biology.
For the complete story, visit the Lexington Herald Leader.
Superintendent Ricky D. Line raised the issue in recent letters and email messages to state Education Commissioner Terry Holliday and Kentucky Board of Education members. Line wants them to reconsider the "Blueprint" for Kentucky's new end-of-course test in biology.
For the complete story, visit the Lexington Herald Leader.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Area death
Margarette Crawford, 89, of Burna, died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 at Salem Spring Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services are Wednesday at the Chapel of Boyd Funeral Directors.
James R. Fornear, 81, of Naples, Fla., died Dec. 9, 2011. Funeral services will be held at the Outland Ranch in southern Illinois for immediate family. Colonial Terrace Funeral Home in Eldorado, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.
James R. Fornear, 81, of Naples, Fla., died Dec. 9, 2011. Funeral services will be held at the Outland Ranch in southern Illinois for immediate family. Colonial Terrace Funeral Home in Eldorado, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Area death
Anna Belle Maier, 92, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at Crittenden County Health and Rehabilitation. Services will be Saturday at Alexander West Chapel in Evansville.
Report on historical sites expected soon
 |
| A senior architectural historian with the UK archaeological survey is asking for drawings like the one above to show the layout of old Crittenden County crossroads communities. |
"I will give a copy of the report to both the library and the historical society," said Janie-Rice Brother, who visited the county several times as a part of the Preservation Kentucky-sponsored survey project. "Copies of the survey forms will be at the historical society."
A website with similar information is also in the works.
Brother, along with other architectural historians, received a grant to survey barns, farms, houses, schools, churches and even commercial sites in both Livingston and Crittenden counties. Though the federal grant was small, $8,800, Brother said the previous lack of sites surveyed in Crittenden County alone piqued an interest in heading west from Lexington.
"We felt there was a great need," she said recently.
Prior to the surveys being completed and compiled by Brother, Crittenden County ranked 119th of Kentucky's 120 counties in number of surveyed sites. The primary focus of documenting architecturally historic sites was on farms, barns, other rural structures and even former crossroads communities.
“Agriculture is such a big part of Kentucky,” said Brother, the daughter of a Kentucky farmer.
She said completion of the reports is not only a means of documenting historical structures before they deteriorate, it’s the first step to achieving designation on the National Register of Historic Places, which allows property owners certain tax exemptions.
Brother said there are many sites the team of architectural historians did not get to survey in the county, but the small grant limited the time and resources they could dedicate. If more money becomes available, she plans to return and survey a list of sites she has kept in mind.
She is also soliciting information on Mexico, as well as other small communities.
“What would be awesome is if someone could draw out what used to be in these little towns,” Brother said. “It really gives you a sense of how things have changed.”
She can be reached at janie-rice.brother@uky.edu or (859) 257-1944.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Press photos available online
See a picture in The Crittenden Press you like? You can now buy copies of our photos online at The Press Online. Even event photos not used in the paper will be available.
Pictures can be purchased in all sizes, framed or matted. The photos you order will be mailed directly to you.
Pictures can be purchased in all sizes, framed or matted. The photos you order will be mailed directly to you.
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