Tornado warning issued for Crittenden County

According to the National Weather Service, a tornado warning has been issued for south central Crittenden County and central Livingston County until 4 p.m.

Officials urge U.S. 641 forum attendance

Local leaders are imploring citizens interested in the U.S. 641 improvement project to attend Tuesday's public meeting on the road project in Fredonia.

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom told the Chamber of Commerce at its meeting this week that an aggressive effort to keep the highway project on task will be needed or else the consequences might damage the county's economy.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is hosting a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday at the Lions Club building in Fredonia.

Transportation officials will show alternatives and hope to gain input from citizens throughout the affected communities with regard to corridor options for Phase 2 from just north of Fredonia to Eddyville. Jim LeFevre, speaking to the Crittenden County Economic Development Corp.’s annual meeting a few days ago, reminded local leaders that there is no funding available at this time for construction of the final leg of the highway.

A great deal of the 5.2-mile Phase 1 from Marion to Fredonia is complete. Within a few months, everything will be done except the paving. Questions remain as to when that will be done as well.

Paving projects in county to start Saturday

Paving crews will begin resurfacing projects along two state highways in Crittenden County beginning this weekend.

Crews will mill the surface of the affected areas along Ky. 91 North and Ky. 120 along both routes Saturday, weather permitting.

Paving work on Ky. 91 North between mile-points 4 and 10 at the Ky. 135 intersection will start Monday. Paving on Ky. 120 between mile-points 5 and 6, at the intersection of Ky. 654 to Cave Spring Road, will begin Wednesday.

Flaggers will direct traffic at both locations. Drivers are urged to plan accordingly, use caution and expect delays.

Work is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 20. The Rogers Group was awarded the $740,607 contract.

The starting date and duration of work are dependent on weather conditions and may be adjusted for inclement weather or other unforeseen delays.

New jailer named today

Phillip W. Parker has been appointed as Crittenden County Jailer by Judge-Executive Perry Newcom. Parker accepted the position today and is slated to fill the unexpired term of former Jailer Rick Riley beginning Monday.

Riley, first elected as jailer in 2003, announced his retirement nearly two weeks ago, primarily citing health concerns as his reason for stepping down.

Parker, a resident of Crittenden County for several years, has twice served as warden of the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville.

Area death

Johnny C. Lowery, 63, of Marion, died Aug. 6, 2013, at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is handling arrangements.

Free medical screenings offered in western Kentucky

KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Gov. Steve Beshear on Wednesday announced that the Delta Regional Authority and Department of Defense will provide free medical, dental and optical screenings for the next week to Kentuckians in need of health care. Kentucky is one of four states in the Delta Regional Authority to receive the free health screening program, known as Innovative Readiness Training.

“Above all else, Kentuckians and all Americans should have affordable, easy access to quality healthcare,” Beshear said in a news release. “Unfortunately, many residents in our rural communities do not have reasonable access to health services and go untreated for even minor issues, which can lead to more serious health problems, overall higher treatment costs and unemployment. I thank the DRA and DOD for providing the IRT clinic in Kentucky, and I encourage residents to take part in the free screenings.”

Screenings in Kentucky began Monday and will continue through Tuesday at the Old Morgan Haugh Clinic at 220 W. Walnut St. in Mayfield. The clinic will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., including Saturday and Sunday.

All Kentuckians are eligible to receive the free medical services, which do not include emergency or obstetrical treatments. For adults and children age two and up, medical screenings, non-emergency medical treatment, minor lab tests, prescription assistance and optometry exams are available. For adults and children 13 and up, dental exams, extractions and fillings are also available.

Area farmer seeks help

Farm help wanted. Looking for truck drivers and tractor operators for fall harvest. Pay negotiable. Must have valid driver's license. Contact Todd Clements at (270) 836-6583.

Whitfield says all Kentuckians should be concerned about coal

While U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield’s Monday visit to Murray mainly concerned agriculture, the eight-term Hopkinsville Republican also had coal on his mind. While acknowledging that coal is not produced in Calloway County, Whitfield emphasized that this is an issue to which constituents in far-western Kentucky should pay attention.

For more on this story, visit the Murray Ledger & Times online.

Powerball drawing estimated to pay out $425 million

Lottery faithful know about hot streaks. Some meticulously track “hot numbers” that come up more often than others in drawings. Those figures have the lines of residents hoping to change their lives with a $2 bet visiting stores for tickets on tonight’s Powerball drawing. It was estimated Tuesday afternoon to pay out $425 million over 30 years or more than $244 million in a lump sum.

For more, visit The News-Enterprise online.

Area death

Margie Hosick Williams, 88, of Salem, died Aug. 5, 2013, at her home. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is handling arrangements.

Gathering of the Juggalos begins today

This weekend marks the Hardin County, Ill., music festival featuring the rap-metal group Insane Clown Posse. The annual Gathering of the Juggalos begins today in a remote area across the river from Crittenden County near Cave In Rock, Ill. The event is expected to draw as many as 10,000 fans from across the United States.

Fans of the festival are referred to as Juggalos.

The festival has been marked by trouble in the past, with one man being stabbed in 2010 and another drowning in the Ohio River in 2011.

WKCTC new student orientation Friday

Students who have enrolled for fall classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College can attend the last new student orientation on Friday.  Students who would like to attend the orientation need to register for classes before Friday.

Fall classes begin Aug. 19. Students can register for classes in the WKCTC advising center located in the Anderson Building, Room 106, or by contacting Amanda Scheidegger, WKCTC admissions intake counselor, at (270) 534-3110.

Students are encouraged to make an appointment to avoid waiting during registration. Appointments are available by calling the advising center at (270) 534-3408. Advising center hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday

Students can also submit an online application at  
www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/en/Admissions/Apply.aspx. No fee required. Students submitting an online application must still register for classes. Registration continues following new student orientation.

Students who miss the Friday’s orientation must complete the online orientation at www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Admissions/Orientation.aspx.

Schools back in session starting Wednesday

Be alert in school zones and on the highway beginning this week. Schools are back in session in both Crittenden and Livingston counties starting Wednesday.

Area deaths

Daniel Kent Topper, 57, of Hampton, died Aug. 3, 2013, at his home. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem was in charge of arrangements.

Almanzo J. Vasseur, 29, of Marion, died Aug. 1, 2013, at Crittenden Hospital. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Helen Ann Redd, 68, of Plainfield, Ind., formerly of Marion, died Aug. 2, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital in Mooresville, Ind. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Despite rain, demolition derby still on

The Crittenden County Lions Club Fair is still on for tonight despite heavy rains this morning. Fair organizers said at noon that everything is still on go for tonight's feature event, the demolition derby. Parking may be a bit muddy, but otherwise, the Lions think the event will go off as planned.

Marion man dead after alleged stabbing

Marion Police Chief Ray O'Neal cordons off part of a crime scene
Thursday afternoon following a reported assault on West Depot
Street that turned deadly.

A Marion man has died after a fatal stabbing, allegedly at the hands of his brother.

According to Kentucky State Police, Almanzo Vasseur, 29, died Thursday at Crittenden Health Systems after being stabbed multiple times during an assault that reportedly began just before 2 p.m. inside the West Depot Street residence of Vasseur and the accused killer, Britt Deckert, 26. A woman, Phyllis Vasseur, 41, was also injured in the incident.

The assault is said to have started as an argument between the brothers at 316 W. Depot St. State police report the incident escalated and Deckert attacked Almanzo Vasseur, a former City of Marion employee, with more than one knife. Police also say Phyllis Vasseur was assaulted with a knife by Deckert as she attempted to break up the fight. A 13-year-old girl at the home during the time of the fight escaped without harm.

Authorities allege that Deckert gave chase to the Vasseurs and the juvenile after they exited the residence out a back door. Phyllis Vasseur and the juvenile escaped, running to a neighbor's house to call for help. Deckert reportedly assaulted his brother with the weapon again while outside. Almanzo Vasseur was said to have made it to a neighbor's house across the street before collapsing on the front porch.

Once on the scene, authorities with the state police, Marion Police Department and Crittenden County Sheriff's Department were reportedly able to apprehend Deckert in the front yard of his home without incident.

Almanzo Vasseur was transported to the hospital in Marion for treatment of multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the facility. Phyllis Vasseur was also transported to the hospital and treated for injuries to her head, hand and arms. She was later released.

Deckert was charged with murder, assault, and wanton endangerment and was lodged in Crittenden County Detention Center.

An autopsy on Vasseur was scheduled for this morning in Madisonville.

Stabbing victim dies, police investigation continues

Kentucky State Police Det. Matt Foster is the lead detective in a death investigation in Marion. The victim of an assault on West Depot Street has died, according to police. No other information was immediately available, but details should be forthcoming soon from state police. See earlier post today for more about this situation.

UPDATE: The victim's identity has been confirmed. The deceased is A.J. Vasseur of Marion, a former City of Marion employee.

Area death

Mary Frances Crawford, 87, of McKenzie, Tenn., formerly of Marion, died July 30, 2013, at McKenzie Nursing Home in McKenzie. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is handling arrangements.

Fancy Farm no picnic for Senate candidates

The heated political rhetoric at Fancy Farm this weekend should give voters a sense of how the 2014 U.S. Senate candidates stand up in a hostile environment. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who’s been in office for 30 years, is no stranger to the heckling and sharp barbs lobbed at politicians at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic outside Paducah in western Kentucky. His Democratic challenger, Alison Lundergan Grimes, spoke at the picnic in 2011 during her race for secretary of state. But will be the first time McConnell GOP opponent Matt Bevin has appeared at the time and some observers are interested in seeing how the Louisville businessman reacts.

For more, read The Kentucky Enquirer online.

Murray State receives recognitions

Murray State University has again been recognized by two national publications, Forbes and the Chronicle of Higher Education. Forbes has included Murray on its “America’s Top Colleges” list. In another honor, the Chronicle of Higher Education’s latest survey has found MSU to be one of the top universities in the nation for a career for faculty. This is Murray’s fourth time to be recognized as one of the Chronicle’s “Great Colleges to Work For,” an MSU press release said.

For more, visit the Murray Ledger & Times online.