Want more local history? Read it online

If you'd like to read more about local history, follow historian Brenda Underdown's online blog.

Underdown, a columnist for The Crittenden Press and author of multiple books, posted a new story this weekend about No Bottom Springs.

Read it by clicking here.

Underdown's column in this week's newspaper will feature the old Dycusburg School.

Hoppers eliminate Bobcats from postseason

Hopkinsville Hoppers beat Marion Bobcats 2-0 in the third and deciding game of the semifinal playoff series of the Ohio Valley Summer Collegiate Baseball League at Hopkinsville Friday.

The Hoppers advance to the three-game league championship series against Fulton.

Murder suspect brought back to Marion

Local authorities have charged Cindy Lou Hutchinson, 50, of Marion with murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, tampering with physical evidence and receiving stolen property (less than $10,000) in connection with the death of 89-year-old Jim Roberts of Marion.

Roberts was found dead in his East Depot Street home July 16. Neighbors said Hutchinson had moved in with the elderly widower less than two weeks before he was killed.

Hutchinson fled Marion in Roberts' vehicle and was arrested in Fort Smith, Ark., the following day.

On Friday, Hutchinson was transported from Sebastian County (Ark.) Detention Center to the Crittenden County Detention Center.

One-lane traffic next week at Henderson bridge

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict northbound traffic to one lane on the U.S. 41 Twin Bridges between Henderson and Evansville on Monday and Tuesday of next week.

The daytime lane restriction is for deck cleaning and maintenance work on the northbound bridge.

Northbound motorists can expect to encounter one lane traffic starting at about 8:30 a.m., each day.  Motorists should slow down and be alert for merging traffic on the northbound bridge approach. 

Bobcats ahead when game suspended Thursday

Marion Bobcats were ahead 6-1 Thursday when their second in a best-of-three series against Hopkinsville was suspended due to weather.

The game will resume tonight at Hopkinsville. The Hoppers lead the series 1-0.

Cornhole Tournament Wednesday at Fairgrounds

Crittenden County Lions Club will be hosting a cornhole (bag toss) tournament as part of this year's county fair.

The tournament will be held Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m., at the fairgrounds. Cost is $20 per team and businesses can sponsor their own teams.

The format is double-elimination and cash prizes will be paid to the top three places. First place gets $100.

For more information, call Ronnie Heady at 704-2038 or Jeff Ellis at 704-3234.

Bobcats fall in first of 3-game set

Marion Bobcats lost 4-2 Wednesday at home to the top-seeded Hopkinsville Hoppers in the semifinal round of the Ohio River Collegiate Baseball League playoffs.

Marion travels to Hopkinsville tonight for the second game of three-game series. Hopkinsville can earn a berth in the championship series with a victory tonight. A win for Marion will force a third and deciding game Friday at Hopkinsville.

The Bobcats beat Fulton Tuesday to earn a berth in the playoff series.

Revival in the Fredonia Valley this week

There will be a Revival in the Fredonia Valley starting at 7:45 p.m., nightly starting tonight and running through Saturday at American Legion Ballpark, behind Akridge Farm Center in Fredonia. 


Revival in the Valley speakers are Rich Gardner, pastor of Walnut Grove Baptist Church; Van Yandell, Kentucky Evangelist; and Carlton Binkley, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church. Several musicians are also confirmed for the event. Bring your Bible, your yard chairs and come to worship.

Stolen truck recovered from Ohio River

Divers were used to go down and attach a cable to the truck
so it could be pulled to the surface.

A stolen pickup truck was pulled from the Ohio River at Elizabethtown Landing early this afternoon. The truck had been reported stolen from Hickman County, Kentucky. It belonged to Great River Marine Service of Columbus, Ky.

Sheriff Wayne Agent said witnesses saw the truck go into the river at the boat ramp just before dawn this morning. Rescue crews and police spent much of the day recovering the vehicle, which was in swirling river current and about 35 feet under water.

The sheriff said witnesses saw at least one person running from the scene, however, no one has been found. He said the person apparently ran into the woods near the ferry landing. No one was found in the vehicle.

The late-model pickup was in tact other than the back window was broken out. The door windows were rolled up when it was pulled from the Ohio River about 3 p.m.

CCHS SBDM will meet Friday

Crittenden County High School Site-Based, Decision-Making Council will meet at 1:30 p.m., Friday at the CCHS Conference Room.

Bobcats advance to semifinal round

Marion Bobcats beat the Owensboro Oilers 6-5 Tuesday night at Gordon B. Guess Field in Marion.

The win gives the Bobcats a berth in the semifinal round of the Ohio Valley Summer Collegiate Baseball League playoffs, which begins tonight in Marion. 

Marion will play top-seeded Hopkinsville in the best-of-three series.

Divers en route to E'town Landing

UPDATE: Emergency personnel were called to the Elizabethtown Landing on the Ohio River near Tolu just before dawn today.

Crittenden County Rescue Squad was initially dispatched and asked to take a boat to search for a vehicle reportedly believed in the water. Once there, they saw images on sonar to indicate something large, like a vehicle, under water about 35 feet deep. A dive team was called in to help with the search.

Sheriff Wayne Agent said a witness to the incident early this morning described seeing someone flee the boat ramp area as tail lights of a vehicle went under water. The witness told the sheriff that the person fleeing the landing went into the forest. Investigators have not been able to find that person.

Stay tuned as more information becomes available.

Area death

Loretta West, 79, of Marion died Sunday at Salem Springlake. Services are Wednesday at Myers Funeral Home.

Bobcats host youth baseball clinic Monday night

The Marion Bobcats, a local summer collegiate league baseball club, will host a youth baseball clinic Monday night at Gordon B. Guess Field at Marion-Crittenden County Park.

Registration starts at 4 p.m. The clinic will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Cost is $20 per player and anyone age 7-18 is eligible to participate.

Bobcat players will instruct in a variety of areas, including throwing, base running, fielding and hitting.

Area death

Maurie Houston Kirk, 90, of Crayne died Thursday. He was a combat veteran of World War II, who received both the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. Visitation is today and the funeral is Monday at Myers Funeral Home in Marion.

Beware of more motorcycles this week

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reminding western Kentucky motorists to be alert for an influx of motorcycles this week. The Kentucky Bike Rally scheduled  for Thursday through Sunday is expected to attract some 15,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to Tthe Union County Fairgrounds in Sturgis. 

The event brings a surge of motorcycle traffic to the region, particularly along US 60, KY 109, KY 56, and KY 91, as well as along nearby Illinois Route 13.

In addition to increased motorcycle traffic along major routes, rally participants often cruise the back roads of western Kentucky and southern Illinois while attending the event. 

During peak travel times the added motorcycle traffic and other vehicles accessing the event site can create minor delays along US 60 through the Sturgis area.

In Kentucky, 72 of the 721 highway fatalities in 2011 were motorcyclists.  Of those fatalities, 42 riders were not wearing a helmet and 10 riders were under the influence of alcohol.

Area Death

Nell Perryman, 84, of Marion died Tuesday at Crittenden Hospital. Services are Friday at Myers Funeral Home.

KSP releases more info on Hutchinson

Cindy L. Hutchinson

Kentucky State Police have now released more information about the apprehension of Cindy Hutchinson, who was wanted for stealing a Marion man's car Monday. The man was found dead in his home and state police are investigating his death. They said he was stabbed and assaulted.

Hutchinson, 50, of Marion was arrested at 5:35 p.m., in Fort Smith, Ark. She is now lodged in the Sabastian County Detention Center without bond. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court there on Monday. At that time, Kentucky authorities will ask to have her extradited to Marion.

Hutchison was alone in Arkansas and driving the vehicle believed stolen from Jim Roberts Monday. Roberts was found dead in his East Depot Street home about7 p.m., Monday.

Police in Fort Smith received a tip about a suspicious woman Tuesday afternoon. When they arrived at the scene, they found Hutchinson and determined that she was wanted in Kentucky after checking information on the license plate on Roberts' car, which she was driving.

State police say they can find no record of Hutchinson having an active driver's license. However, she does possess identification cards from California and Arkansas.

Area death

Leonard E. "Jim" Roberts 89, of Marion died at his home Monday. Roberts is survived by sisters Virginia L. Swager of Murray and Blondell Behreadt of Henderson; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by parents, George and Allean Roberts; a son, Harlan Roberts; brothers Glen and Austin Roberts; a sister, Corene Brantley; and two wives, Mary Roberts and Ronella Ordway Roberts. Services are Saturday at Gilbert Funeral Home. Burial will be at Mapleview Cemetery.

Suspect arrested out of state Tuesday night

Cindy L. Hutchinson, 50, of Marion was arrested in another state Tuesday night on a warrant charging her with receiving stolen property (vehicle). 


Hutchinson was allegedly seen driving a car belonging to Jim Roberts, 89, Monday in Marion. Roberts was found dead in his home Monday. Police suspect foul play.


Police said Hutchinson was driving the victim's vehicle when she was apprehended last night.


State Police Det. Scott Smith would not disclose what state Hutchinson was in when she was arrested.


KSP spokesman Stu Recke said more information will be made available later today.