Planning starting for holiday charity

Though Christmas is still almost four months away, it’s never too early to start preparations.

The first Crittenden County Community Christmas planning meeting will be at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Extension Office. Those unable to attend but willing to help with the Inter-Agency Council project this year are asked to let the planning committee know by calling 965-5236.

Volunteers are needed for sign-ups in October, committee chairs and set-up and distribution day. The dates for all of these will be determined Thursday.

Area death

James C. “Jim” Travis, 77, of Marion, formerly of Sturgis, died Sept. 2, 2013, at Crittenden County Health and Rehab Center. Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis is handling arrangements.

Marion DQ assists junior trip

From 5 to 9 p.m. tonight, 10 percent of your purchase price at Marion Dairy Queen will go toward funding Crittenden County High School juniors' trip to Washington, D.C. next year.

CHS phone lines down

UPDATE: The phones are back up an operation at Crittenden Health Systems.

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The phone lines at Crittenden Health Systems are not working due to complications from a weekend storm.

If anyone has an emergency, they are asked to call 911.

Lunch Ideas for Today at Jack's

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Area death

John Alan Newbell, 73, of Marion, died Sept. 1, 2013, in Evansville, Ind. Gilbert Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Kentucky parks offer 2-for-1 camping this month

Enjoy some cooler temperatures with a special camping offer for next month from Kentucky State Parks. The parks are offering two nights for the price of one for campers during September.

The deal is good Sunday through Thursday from Monday through Sept. 29. There are 31 Kentucky State Park campgrounds across the state. To learn more about campgrounds, visit www.parks.ky.gov.

Campers should call the park where they want to camp to make the reservation. This offer cannot be combined with other discounts or used on pre-existing reservations.

For more information about camping, lodging, dining and recreational activities at Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov.

Three arrested on multiple charges

On Thursday, Kentucky State Police responded to a residence on Wilson Farm Road after receiving an anonymous tip of the whereabouts of Joshua T. Lanham, a wanted person.

Upon arrival, troopers could see a subject inside the residence who appeared to be hiding items. Lanham came to the door and was immediately arrested without incident. Troopers also made contact with April M. McKenzie and William L. Renz, who were also taken into custody.

Troopers located approximately 3 grams of methamphetamine in the home along with several items of drug paraphernalia and twp firearms.

Lanham was charged with first-degree possession of controlled substance, first offense (methamphetamine); possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a defaced firearm; possession of marijuana; second-degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified); and tampering with physical evidence. Lanham was also served with two warrants.

McKenzie was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense (methamphetamine); possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a defaced firearm; possession of marijuana; second-degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified); possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; hindering prosecution or apprehension. McKenzie was also served with a warrant.

Renz was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense (methamphetamine); possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a defaced firearm; possession of marijuana; second-degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified); possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; hindering prosecution or apprehension.

All the subjects were lodged in Crittenden County Detention Center.

Trooper Joe Bartolotti and Trooper Jonathan Carlock were the arresting officers.  They were assisted by Trooper Cody Kromer and the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department.

Stumbo appoints committee to investigate allegations against Rep. Arnold

Earlier this afternoon, House Speaker Greg Stumbo appointed the five members who will serve on the investigative committee that he called for in yesterday’s Petition for Censure or Expulsion of Rep. John Arnold (D-Sturgis).

The five are:

• Rep. Arnold Simpson (D-Covington)
• Rep. Rita Smart (D-Richmond)
• Rep. Jeff Donohue (D-Louisville)
• Rep. Julie Adams (R-Louisville)
• Rep. Robert Benvenuti (R-Lexington)

This committee will now carry out its work under KRS 6:100 and other legal authority, and will make a final report to the House of Representatives during the 2014 Regular Session, which begins in January.

Area deaths

Irene F. Hobbs, 89, of Rosiclare, Ill., died Aug. 30, 2013, at Rosiclare Health and Rehab. Cox Funeral Home in Rosiclare is handling arrangements.

Donald Ray Haralson, 70, of Marion, died Aug. 28, 2013, at Deaconess Hospice Care Center in Evansville, Ind. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is handling arrangements.

Area death

Myrna Raye Wheeler, 72, of Marion, died Aug. 28, 2013, at Crittenden Hospital in Marion. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is handling arrangements.

First golf cart certified to operate on city streets

On Tuesday, Crittenden County Sheriff Wayne Agent and Deputy Mandi Harrison inspected Marion’s first street-legal golf cart, which belongs to Marion Tourism Commission for use of watering the city’s flower planters in the downtown area.

A City of Marion ordinance passed last week allows for the restricted use of golf carts on designated city streets during daylight hours. To qualify for use on streets, the vehicles must be outfitted with certain safety equipment and be inspected by the sheriff’s department to ensure the mandates of the ordinance are met.

The one-time inspection fee is $5. An annual $25 permit to operate on city streets must be obtained at Marion City Hall.

A copy of the ordinance listing the requirements for and restrictions of use of golf carts on public roadways can be also picked up at city hall. A sheriff’s inspection checklist can found below:

• Headlamps
• Front and rear turn signal lamps
• Tail lamps
• Stop lamps
• Reflex reflectors (1 red on back, 1 red on each side on back panel)
• Exterior mirror mounted on drivers side of vehicle
• Parking brake
• Windshield of AS-1 or AS-5 composition with official city permit in lower left drivers side of windshield
• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Maximum number of passengers cannot exceed 6
• Four wheels
• Slow moving vehicle emblem in compliance with KRS 189.820
• Valid Kentucky driver’s license number
• Reflective safety flag no less than 7 feet on rear of vehicle

Legislative aide who alleged sexual harassment calls for resignation of LRC chief

One of three women who filed a sexual harassment complaint against a Western Kentucky lawmaker said Tuesday she thought both the lawmaker and Legislative Research Commission director Robert Sherman should resign. LRC employee Yolanda Costner, who has filed a sexual harassment complaint against Rep. John Arnold (D-Sturgis) said in a telephone interview Tuesday that "I think our director has failed us."

For the complete story, visit The Herald-Leader online.

Farm help wanted

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

KyTC's LeFevre retire at end of month

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 1 Chief Engineer Jim LeFevre has announced his retirement, effective Friday.   

LeFevre worked on numerous projects, including the Cadiz bypass, the U.S. 60 Tennessee River Bridge, the Lakes Bridges Project to replace both the Kentucky Lake Bridge and Lake Barkley Bridge on U.S. 68 in Trigg and Marshall counties, and, most notably, the emergency replacement of a 322-foot. span of the Eggners Ferry Bridge—a project that was completed in just 121 days.

LeFevre is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and of Murray State University with a Master of Business Administration. He has 22 years of service with the Cabinet and has served as resident engineer in two offices, district materials engineer, acting branch manager for construction and acting branch manager for project development.

LeFevre has served as chief district engineer for the past seven years. 

He spent a year in Iraq as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves.

A public retirement reception for LeFevre will be held Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the KyTC District One Office conference room in Paducah. His last day on the job will be Friday.

Area death

Zula Kinnis, 88, of Salem, died Aug. 27, 2013, at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation Center in Salem. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is handling arrangements.

Fallout from sexual harassment allegations continues in Kentucky House

The fallout from a sexual harassment scandal in the state House continued Monday as one Democratic lawmaker called for the resignation of another and House Speaker Greg Stumbo released emails about the complaints that date to May. State Rep. Tom Riner (D-Louisville) who informed many of his House colleagues about the harassment complaints against Rep. John Arnold (D-Sturgis) in a speech last week on the House floor, said Monday that Arnold should resign from the legislature.

For the full story, visit The Herald Leader online.

'Don't Text and Drive' event held Friday

A demonstration aimed at preventing texting and driving will be held at this week in Princeton. According to state Rep. Lynn Bechler (R-Marion), the "Don't Text and Drive" event, which will include an AT&T driving simulator, will be held at 9 a.m. Friday at Caldwell County High School.

Rep. Bechler will join other local and state leaders at the event.

“A recent study by Cohen Children's Medical Center found that texting while driving is the leading cause of death for drivers, with 3,000 killed and 300,000 injured,” said Rep. Bechler. “While we recently increased the penalty for those charged with texting while driving, it’s imperative we also educate our young drivers about the dangers of texting and driving.”

Dog attacks woman in Marion

Police spent about two hours Thursday tracking down what they believed was a vicious dog that attacked a woman on Brook Street. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene of the attack where the woman was bleeding badly. Officers and the county animal control warden finally caught the dog near Rochester Street just before 2:30 p.m.

Area death

Paul Monroe Stone, 72, of Marion, died Aug. 21, 2013, at his home. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is handling arrangements.

Dadie Marie Guess Orr Belt, 92, of Marion, died Aug. 21, 2013. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is handling arrangements.