Friday, November 11, 2016
Thank you for your service
The school district will offer its annual program at Rocket Arena beginning at 9 a.m. Friday. It will conclude in time for the 11 a.m. American Legion service at the Mapleview Cemetery war memorial in Marion.
Also on Friday, the American Legion post and its auxiliary in Burna will be hosting a slum supper at 6:30 p.m. for veterans and their guests. The meal is free and will be served at the post.
On Sunday at the Mapleview Cemetery war memorial will be a public ceremony to dedicate a newly-engraved cross to Crittenden County native Junior Raymond “J.R.” McDowell, who was killed in the early days of the Korean War in 1950. All Korean War veterans are encouraged to attend for recognition. Frances native Brig. Gen. Scott A. Campbell will be the featured speaker.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Little League basketball
SIGN UP FOR BOYS/GIRLS LL BASKETBALL SATURDAY
- Evaluations and practice for BOYS' little league recreational basketball will begin Saturday morning at Rocket Arena for boys in grades K-6. Players in K-2 will begin at 9 a.m., with 3-4 grades starting at 10 a.m., and 5-6 grades at 11 a.m. A league schedule will be available at the workout Saturday. Cost is $20 to participate. Each player will receive a T shirt. Players will be evaluated and some may be selected to play on travel squads. For more information and to keep up with little league information throughout the season, download the Celly app on your smartphone and text 23559 to @littleleaguebb.
- Registration for GIRLS continues Saturday in the little league basketball and little dribblers programs. Cost is $25 with discounts for multiple children. K-2 should go at 9 a.m., Saturday to CCMS gym and grades 3-6 should show up at 10 a.m.
Level I drought declaration issued for Crittenden, 116 other Ky. counties
The Office of the State Climatologist and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, in coordination with the Kentucky Drought Mitigation Team, are issuing a Level I drought declaration for 117 counties in Kentucky, including Crittenden County.
A Level I drought indicates moderate to severe drought conditions have developed, primarily affecting soil moisture and vegetative health. Increasing incidents of wildfires and adverse impacts to agricultural water needs and public water supplies are likely if drought conditions persist.
The public should be aware that drought conditions do exist and if conditions continue they may be asked by their water system to conserve water. Local community water systems, especially those with drought vulnerable sources, should re-familiarize themselves with their water shortage response plans and local officials should meet to discuss how they will proceed if they do need to ask citizens to conserve water. Also, water systems should contact the Division of Water immediately if at any time they feel their water supply is getting low.
Kentucky has had only 40 to 75 percent of the normal precipitation over the past 90 days, with the driest conditions occuring in eastern and southern Kentucky. However, western parts of the state have been the driest over the past 30 days, with some locations receiving less than a tenth of an inch of precipitation during that time. Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties have not been included in the drought declaration as those counties have received three to five inches of precipitation over the past 30 days.
Widespread dryness and unseasonably warm temperatures have caused a rash of wildfires that have consumed more than 29,000 acres in the eastern half of the state, as well as a few fires in the west. Six Blackhawk helicopters from the Kentucky National Guard have dropped 306,000 gallons of water on the fires, but new fires have started daily. As of Wednesday, there were 27 fires being managed or monitored. More than 60 counties have issued burn bans as a result of the wildfire activity and drought conditions.
Drought has already had an effect on agriculture operations. Cattle producers have already begun to feed hay, as pastures have suffered due to the lack of rain. Because the spring and summer seasons were wet, hay is neither plentiful or of particularly good quality, putting additional pressure on herds.
Further, crops like winter cover wheat are struggling to get out of the ground or to germinate due to the dry conditions, putting producers at risk for soil erosion over the winter months. Stock ponds are significantly lower than typical for this time of year, which could result in these ponds freezing during the colder winter months.
Statewide, public water supplies are not seriously affected at this point but persistent drought conditions will increase the risk of water shortage conditions, especially for those systems relying on small lakes, small headwater streams and wells located in localized fracture-flow aquifers.
Low water levels in lakes can also lead to deteriorating water quality issues that could make the water difficult to treat. All water systems relying on small lakes, localized aquifers and lesser streams should begin to monitor their water sources on a routine basis and consult their local water shortage response plans for guidance on dealing with potential water shortages.
Short-term forecasts show continued dryness for most of the state. No significant rain is expected for the next week, and widespread light shower activity on Nov. 8 did little to alleviate the situation.
The Kentucky Division of Water will continue to monitor all of the state’s water systems and their sources of supply and notify the public of any changes that may lead to water shortages.
More information about drought declaration criteria can be found in the Kentucky Drought Mitigation and Response Plan at http://water.ky.gov/wa/Documents/State%20Plan_Final.pdf.
Additional information is available at http://eec.kentucky.gov.
A Level I drought indicates moderate to severe drought conditions have developed, primarily affecting soil moisture and vegetative health. Increasing incidents of wildfires and adverse impacts to agricultural water needs and public water supplies are likely if drought conditions persist.
The public should be aware that drought conditions do exist and if conditions continue they may be asked by their water system to conserve water. Local community water systems, especially those with drought vulnerable sources, should re-familiarize themselves with their water shortage response plans and local officials should meet to discuss how they will proceed if they do need to ask citizens to conserve water. Also, water systems should contact the Division of Water immediately if at any time they feel their water supply is getting low.
Kentucky has had only 40 to 75 percent of the normal precipitation over the past 90 days, with the driest conditions occuring in eastern and southern Kentucky. However, western parts of the state have been the driest over the past 30 days, with some locations receiving less than a tenth of an inch of precipitation during that time. Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties have not been included in the drought declaration as those counties have received three to five inches of precipitation over the past 30 days.
Widespread dryness and unseasonably warm temperatures have caused a rash of wildfires that have consumed more than 29,000 acres in the eastern half of the state, as well as a few fires in the west. Six Blackhawk helicopters from the Kentucky National Guard have dropped 306,000 gallons of water on the fires, but new fires have started daily. As of Wednesday, there were 27 fires being managed or monitored. More than 60 counties have issued burn bans as a result of the wildfire activity and drought conditions.
Drought has already had an effect on agriculture operations. Cattle producers have already begun to feed hay, as pastures have suffered due to the lack of rain. Because the spring and summer seasons were wet, hay is neither plentiful or of particularly good quality, putting additional pressure on herds.
Further, crops like winter cover wheat are struggling to get out of the ground or to germinate due to the dry conditions, putting producers at risk for soil erosion over the winter months. Stock ponds are significantly lower than typical for this time of year, which could result in these ponds freezing during the colder winter months.
Statewide, public water supplies are not seriously affected at this point but persistent drought conditions will increase the risk of water shortage conditions, especially for those systems relying on small lakes, small headwater streams and wells located in localized fracture-flow aquifers.
Low water levels in lakes can also lead to deteriorating water quality issues that could make the water difficult to treat. All water systems relying on small lakes, localized aquifers and lesser streams should begin to monitor their water sources on a routine basis and consult their local water shortage response plans for guidance on dealing with potential water shortages.
Short-term forecasts show continued dryness for most of the state. No significant rain is expected for the next week, and widespread light shower activity on Nov. 8 did little to alleviate the situation.
The Kentucky Division of Water will continue to monitor all of the state’s water systems and their sources of supply and notify the public of any changes that may lead to water shortages.
More information about drought declaration criteria can be found in the Kentucky Drought Mitigation and Response Plan at http://water.ky.gov/wa/Documents/State%20Plan_Final.pdf.
Additional information is available at http://eec.kentucky.gov.
Area deaths
Brenda Sue Tabor, 42, of Salem died Wednesday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Dana Bliss McDowell, 54, of Eddyvlle died Saturday. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Lee Coleman, 78, of Marion died Sunday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Dana Bliss McDowell, 54, of Eddyvlle died Saturday. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Lee Coleman, 78, of Marion died Sunday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Football at Livingston Central? Maybe
Livingston Central High School will host a student meeting at 4:30 p.m., today at the school library to gauge interest starting a football team. Earlier surveys showed football and bass fishing were among the sports options most attractive among LCHS students.
Livingston currently offers basketball, golf, track, cross country and baseball as sports opportunities for male students.
School officials say that if students want football, the matter will continue to be examined with meetings for parents and the community.
See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for more details on this developing story.
Livingston currently offers basketball, golf, track, cross country and baseball as sports opportunities for male students.
School officials say that if students want football, the matter will continue to be examined with meetings for parents and the community.
See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for more details on this developing story.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
What's news this week in Crittenden County...
For more on the election and the following headlines, pick up a copy of this week's edition of The Crittenden Press:
- EDITORIAL: With election over, time to put ugliness of it all behind us
- Shopko liquidating, closing doors in January
- $31.2M in construction proposed for schools by committee
- ‘Kentucky Collectibles’ visits Wheelers
- Rifle hunt for deer opens this weekend
- CCES honor roll released
- ABOUT TOWN: Hornets pack a powerful sting, but can they predict weather?
- OPINION: Remember the service and sacrifice of all Kentuckians who served
- Veterans events scheduled locally
- Many offices closed for Veterans Day
- Chamber promotes Small Business day
- Contest seeks ugly Christmas sweaters
- State parks offering Thanksgiving buffet
- Dental issues at center of recent study
- Southern Baptists among fastest growers
- FORGOTTEN PASSAGES: Korean War service saluted for Veterans Day
- Blue Knights strong after 3 tournaments
- VAUGHT'S VIEWS: Killeya-Jones better than Calipari realized
- Drought ups fire risk, hurts pastures
- OUTDOORS: Lock & Load: Deer season begins Saturday
- OUTDOORS: Forestry: Hunters’ help ‘deerly’ needed
- SPORTS: Livingston checking support for HS football
- SPORTS: Hunt, Boone lift Rockets past Knox
- FFA youth attend 89th convention
- Active shooter training held at CCMS
- Holidays alter distribution dates for local food pantries
- Grand marshal for Christmas parade sought by Chamber
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Tuesday's Local Election Returns
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| Small crowd assembled at courthouse tonight for election returns. |
See The Crittenden Press printed edition - on newsstands Wednesday - for details of local election returns.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS and 5 of 5 precincts reporting
| MARION CITY COUNCIL 6 elected | PERCENT | CITY TOTAL |
| Jared BYFORD | 13.2% | 648 |
| Donald ARFLACK | 11.3% | 555 |
| Dwight SHERER | 10.8% | 529 |
| Mike HARRIS | 5.5% | 270 |
| Minnie Lou BROWN | 7.8% | 381 |
| D'Anna Browning SALLIN | 8.8% | 432 |
| Michael BYFORD | 8.7% | 428 |
| Junior MARTIN | 8.6% | 420 |
| Ricky WINDERS | 6.6% | 322 |
| Phyllis A. SYKES | 11.3% | 551 |
| Cletis O. HUNT | 7.3% | 357 |
Area death
Jean Highfil, 87, of Marion died Monday. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Allen W. Hosick, 93, of Benton died Sunday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services in Salem is in charge of arrangements.
Allen W. Hosick, 93, of Benton died Sunday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services in Salem is in charge of arrangements.
AG warns of scams targeting veterans
As Veterans Day approaches, Attorney General Andy Beshear is warning Kentuckians to be cautious of scams targeting veterans.
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, there are nearly 330,000 veterans in Kentucky who could be the target of scams.
The scams include calls and emails offering bogus military discounts and soliciting personal military information. Scammers are pretending to be a deploying solider or claim to be a representative from a bogus military charity.
“We owe an incredible debt to those who have fought to defend our freedoms,” Beshear said. “As we prepare to honor those who have served our country on Veterans Day, I want to warn our veterans and military families to be cautious of scammers who do the inconceivable – attempt to defraud them and take advantage of their sacrifice and service.”
Beshear said AARP has issued a nationwide alert to help veterans identify the top scams targeting veterans and military families.
Kentuckians are urged to stay up to date on new and trending scams by signing up for Scam Alerts. To enroll text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311), or enroll online at ag.ky.gov/scams and select text message or email alert.
In October, Beshear announced Kentucky service members and their families targeted by retailer USA Discounters will share nearly $1 million in restitution from a multistate settlement to resolve claims the company preyed on service members with deceptive trade practices.
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, there are nearly 330,000 veterans in Kentucky who could be the target of scams.
The scams include calls and emails offering bogus military discounts and soliciting personal military information. Scammers are pretending to be a deploying solider or claim to be a representative from a bogus military charity.
“We owe an incredible debt to those who have fought to defend our freedoms,” Beshear said. “As we prepare to honor those who have served our country on Veterans Day, I want to warn our veterans and military families to be cautious of scammers who do the inconceivable – attempt to defraud them and take advantage of their sacrifice and service.”
Beshear said AARP has issued a nationwide alert to help veterans identify the top scams targeting veterans and military families.
- Veterans Affairs Impostor Scam – By phone or email, a scammer may claim he or she is from the Department of Veterans Affairs and ask to confirm or update personal military information.
- Deployment Scam – Con artists may pretend to be a deploying service member who places an online classified ad looking to sell an expensive item right away at a steep discount. The scammer will ask for upfront payment with gift cards or wire transfer and never provide the item.
- Benefits Buyout Scam – Scammers may target veterans in need of money and offer to pay them cash in exchange for their future disability or pension payments. The cash offered is usually only a small part of the value of the disability or pension benefit.
- Military Discounted Rent Scam – Fake online real estate classified ads may target veterans by promising military discounted rent. The scammer then takes a veteran’s money through a wire transfer as a security deposit to the “landlord.”
- Fake Military Charity Scams – Scammers often try to use what sounds like legitimate charities and reference armed forces, veterans or military families to try and swindle Kentuckians.
- Be suspicious when asked to pay with gift cards or by wire transfer. These payment methods are often used by scammers because they are difficult to track and nearly impossible to recover.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs will never call to update personal financial information over the phone.
- Donors who are not familiar with a charitable organization and how they use their money can verify what percentage of their income goes to the charity’s purpose on CharityNavigator.org. Additional research tools and resources can be found on the Attorney General’s website.
- Veterans and their families should only work with VA-accredited representatives regarding their benefits. To find a VA-accredited representative, visit http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp.
Kentuckians are urged to stay up to date on new and trending scams by signing up for Scam Alerts. To enroll text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311), or enroll online at ag.ky.gov/scams and select text message or email alert.
In October, Beshear announced Kentucky service members and their families targeted by retailer USA Discounters will share nearly $1 million in restitution from a multistate settlement to resolve claims the company preyed on service members with deceptive trade practices.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Local election results online Tuesday
The Crittenden Press will post local election results here Tuesday night as vote totals are reported at the courthouse.
Seminary Loop Road re-opens
Ky. 1901/Seminary Loop Road has re-opened to traffic in Crittenden County.
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Area deaths
Jack Mabry Meadows, 84, of Salem died Friday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Servers is in charge of local arrangements.
Billy Kesterson, 64, of Salem died Thursday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Servers was in charge of local arrangements.
Mary Ann Hina Wescott, 42,of Louisville, formerly of Marion, died Wednesday. Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis was in charge of arrangements.
Billy Kesterson, 64, of Salem died Thursday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Servers was in charge of local arrangements.
Mary Ann Hina Wescott, 42,of Louisville, formerly of Marion, died Wednesday. Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis was in charge of arrangements.
Crowded council field highlights down-ballot
FROM THE CRITTENDEN PRESS, OCT. 27Leaner and meaner.
That's the direction many of the candidates for city council believe Marion should head.
All of the eight men and three women on the only local downticket ballot Nov. 8 favor streamlining city government; none advocate a tax increase of any kind as the answer to the city's problems; and all seem to think it is time for nuisance property owners to clean up their act.
Last month, The Crittenden Press sent a questionnaire to all 11 candidates for the six non-partisan Marion City Council seats asking the same questions on some hot-button issues in the city. And their answers offer a bit of insight as to how each would approach their role as an elected leader over the next two years. (See the Oct. 27 print edition of The Crittenden Press.)
The friendliness of the city and small-town atmosphere is what attracted or kept those running for council here, according to their collective responses. And by running for a seat on city government, they hope to make Marion even more welcoming to residents and businesses.
The five incumbents running offer a combined 53 years of experience in governing the city and stand by the work that's been done under their terms while offering a few changes for the future.
"Any vote that I have cast as a councilman has always been what I thought was in the best interest of the citizens," said Dwight Sherer, a 16-year veteran of the council and current mayor pro-tem.
Darrin Tabor is the only current councilman not seeking re-election.
Of the six challengers, only Mike Harris has spent time on Marion City Council (1998-2000). Despite that lack of combined experience, there is no shortage of answers to issues confronting the city, with greater accountability to the people as a common theme. In August, following former City Administrator Mark Bryant's arrest on drug trafficking and other charges, four of the challengers began regularly attending council meetings, asking for a comprehensive citizens audit of city government.
One of those, Cletis Hunt, whose answers are often critical of the current council, calls for more transparency and responsiveness by the "mayor and city administrator in dealing with (the) city council and citizenry at meetings and programs of the city" as one of his three goals, if elected. Hunt is also a member of a city government audit committee led by resident Linda Schumann.
Bryant was fired by Mayor Mickey Alexander following his arrest and Marion has gotten by with a part-time, pinch-hit city administrator for nearly three months now.
Harris believes a shakeup in city government could help to "restore integrity" and "change the attitude of our city council to ensure our safety, security and way of life."
Full-time mayor
The very position of city administrator has come into question, with at least three current council members and four of the challengers clearly supporting a move to a full-time mayor that would eliminate the position altogether, despite the current council having agreed at Monday's meeting to hire Adam Ledford as the new full-time city administrator.
"I strongly favor this move and have been an advocate of it for some time," said Councilman Donnie Arflack, who believes Bryant in his former position held too much control over city finances and decision-making. "Doing away with the city administrator position will save us a small amount of money, but will give the council more control over spending."
Arflack believes the mayor, as a full-time elected official like the county judge-executive, should be the one to oversee the day-to-day operations of the city. That individual would be held accountable by voters every four years and be more accountable to the six-person council, he believes.
Alexander, a full-time investment broker with Edward Jones in Marion, has said he does not want to be a full-time administrator of city government. He does not think the move is in the best interest of the public, as it is more difficult to remove an elected official from a post than an employee who can be fired for cause.
Arflack says the decision should be made by the new council elected next month and taking office in January. The position of mayor, unlike the council, is elected every four years, and Arflack would like to see the new form of city government begin after the 2018 mayoral election.
Councilman Jared Byford, though, is opposed to the proposed change.
"The city administrator's position is a highly-skilled, technical job, and it would be nearly impossible to be sure a full-time, elected mayor would have the technical background to immediately assume the duties of mayor and city administrator," he said in his survey response.
Housing
Perhaps the largest single concern across the list of candidates is the state of housing in the city. A study a couple of years ago conducted by the city found an extraordinarily high number or rental units, unoccupied homes and nuisance properties that have many around Marion worried about perception and property values.
"I really think this is a major issue in our city," said challenger Phyllis Sykes.
A variety of answers are offered by candidates as to how to begin solving the housing problems, but it could take an overhaul of city ordinances and new approaches by the code enforcement board, planning and zoning commission and the council itself. Code Enforcement Officer Terri Hart has said it will take a commitment of more money from the council to put more teeth into enforcement.
Another area of concern voiced widely across the city is the condition of infrastructure, from pock-marked streets to crumbling sidewalks. Challenger Ricky Winders lists as his top priority installing a sidewalk along Sturgis Road to make travel safer for pedestrians walking along the busy business district. That has been on the city's radar for many years, but no progress has been made.
But financing infrastructure improvements is difficult for a city that has cut staff and programs in order to balance the budget. That's why Winders believes voters "need to elect new people or have old city officials change their way of thinking" in order to find creative means to see the projects through.
Sewer plant
One infrastructure project the city must pursue is a new wastewater treatment plant. The facility has been mandated by the state to replace the current one that has proven to be inadequate during times of heavy use. During downpours, the plant is unable to treat the millions of gallons of combined storm and sewer water flowing through the system, emptying untreated sewage into Rush Creek. If the city does not act on this perhaps $12 million project, they face hefty fines for each future environmental violation.
Finding a place for the new facility is some time off, but will probably be a question the new council has to answer with the advice of engineers. The city currently owns enough acreage off Old Morganfield Road where the Victory Gardens are located, but Industrial Park North has also been proposed as a possible site, though that land would have to be purchased.
"The reason we bought that (Old Morganfield Road) property was for future expansion," said the longest-serving councilman, Mike Byford, who is seeking a 10th term. "The industrial park is not a suitable place for a sewer plant."
Most candidates feel the least expensive route is the answer, but challenger D'Anna Sallin says that cost should not be the only determining factor.
"The location is best determined by the engineering firm hired to make such decisions," she wrote in her survey response, " however, we need to take into consideration the concerns of the neighboring property owners."
To fund or not to fund
Earlier this year, as the current budget was being crafted, some community organizations that had received funding from the city in the past were left out as a cost-savings measure. Pleas brought before the council got most of the funding restored, but raised the question of whether city government should be funding outside organizations over which the it has no control, even if they are for the welfare of citizens.
None of the candidates fully oppose funding programs like the senior citizens center's home-delivered meals program, the drug-free coalition's efforts to address the burgeoning problem locally or Crittenden County Food Bank, which feeds hundreds of people each month. Some suggest reduced participation by the city, while others feel like it's government's role to take care of its people.
"...All forms of government, including city government, share the responsibility of the health, safety and welfare of their citizens," said challenger Minnie Lou Brown, who sees the need in the community regularly as a volunteer with and treasurer of the food bank.
Each candidate in The Press's questionnaire was also asked why the voters should elect them to the next city council. Councilman Junior Martin is running on his record, simply pointing out his efforts to keep city government from dipping further into the pockets of the people it serves.
"For two years as a councilman, I have strived to stay up to date on issues, voted no to raising taxes and voted no to the environmental fee on water bills, which the records show," Martin said.
He was the lone councilman this summer to vote against a property tax increase of a 10th of a penny and was joined by Jared Byford in June in voting against an additional fee placed on city water bills to finance the mandatory wastewater system upgrades.
Other races
President
Five political parties have sent a nominee to the presidential ballot and there is also one independent. Everyone should be aware of Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, but the Libertarian, Green and American Delta parties also have a candidate in the running. There are also 23 write-ins eligible.
Following are the candidates, their running mates and their party:
- Donald J. Trump/Michael R. Pence, Republican
- Hillary Rodham Clinton/Timothy Michael Kaine, Democrat
- Gary Johnson/Bill Weld, Libertarian
- Rocky Roque De La Fuente/Michael Steinberg, American Delta
- Jill Stein/Ajamu Baraka, Green
- Evan McMullin/Nathan Johnson, independent
After a failed bid to earn the Republican nomination for President, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul will try to keep his seat in the upper house of Congress. He will face the Democratic Mayor of Lexington, Jim Gray.
Paul is projected to win a second term, which would help the GOP in its bid to maintain its narrow 54-44-2 majority.
- (R) Rand Paul
- (D) Jim Gray
- There are also two write-in candidates
Voters in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District, which includes Crittenden, Livingston and Caldwell counties, will vote twice for someone to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield. It may seem tricky, but it's not.
Whitfield, who served almost 22 years and was the first Republican ever elected to the seat, resigned Sept. 6. To fill his unexpired term, there will be a special election, sending the winner of the two-person race to Capitol Hill in a matter of days. To fill the next two-year term that starts in January, the same two men will face-off. It is conceivable, but not likely, that two different congressmen could be elected to one seat on the same ballot.
Former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner and candidate for governor James Comer is the favorite, which would help the GOP in its bid to maintain its tenuous 234-201 majority.
- (R) James R. Comer
- (D) Samuel L. Gaskins
- There is also a write-in candidate
In his bid to win a third term to the Kentucky House, Lynn Bechler, a Crittenden County Republican, is essentially a lock. He is running unopposed on the ballot for the first time in House District 4 – Crittenden, Livingston, Caldwell and a part of Christian County. However, there is a write-in candidate.
Currently, the House is made up of 53 Democrats and 47 Republicans. Democrats have held the House for 95 years, but that stranglehold on the party's only state legislative chamber in the South is precarious due, in part, to the environmental platform pushed by the top of the ticket.
At a March town hall meeting, referring to her party's push to transition to clean energy, Clinton said, “We’re going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.”
That has made Trump somewhat of a hero in coal country. "The New York real estate developer's anger on the campaign trail matches the mood of many in Appalachia, where job losses associated with the declining coal industry have fueled a backlash against national Democrats that has slowly trickled down to the local level," a recent Associated Press story reported. The same can be said for those dependent upon the coal fields of western Kentucky.
Kentucky is one of only seven states where the legislature is split, as the GOP controls the Senate 27-11. Republicans hold legislative control in 30 of the 49 states with both a house and senate. Nebraska has a unicameral, non-partisan legislature.
Crittenden County
Board of Education
Besides the Marion City Council race, three educational districts will be voting for school board representatives. However, all three will be unopposed. They are Bill Jay Asbridge, Christopher E. Cook and Pam Collins.
Livingston County
Salem Mayor
Two filed to run for the top office in Salem currently held by Stanley Wallace, who is not seeking re-election. The mayor's race is non-partisan.
- Todd Hansen
- Rell Peck
Like the mayor's race, the election for Salem City Commission is non-partisan. All four incumbents will be re-elected to the four-person city government body.
- Crystal Belt-Franklin
- Gary Damron
- Janet L. Hughes
- Craig Dossett
No one filed to appear on the ballot.
Board of education
Voters in the Joy and Burna areas of the county will elect a new member to the board of education. There will be two choices.
- Joseph K. Smith
- Kathleen Sullivan Cockrel
Caldwell County
Fredonia City Council
At least two-thirds of Fredonia's six city council members will change after next month's vote. Four current members – Steve Stewart, Glenna Rowland, Hannah Brasher and Denny Brasher – are not running again. Angela Blair and Donnie Boone will keep their seats. There are only five individuals on the ballot.
- Angela Blair
- Donnie Boone
- Melissa "Missy" Faughn
- Mollie Bennett Tabor
- Jimmy Don Seibert
Bill Clift will be running unopposed in the district that includes Fredonia.
Saturday, November 5, 2016
County's voter registration swings by 1,000
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| Click to enlarge |
An election, in the end, is simply a game of numbers.
And the numbers in Crittenden County and across Kentucky spell bad news for Democrats. Since President Obama became his party’s nominee in the summer of 2008, the GOP in the commonwealth has grown at a pace nine times that of its counterpart.
Final figures from the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office before next month’s election show Democrats in May 2008 outnumbered Republicans by more than 600,000. But since that time, the GOP has closed the gap by more than 250,000 voters.
Locally, party majority switched back to Republicans a couple of years ago, after almost 40 years with Democrats holding that title. The GOP majority continues to grow, too.
Since Obama won the general election in 2008, Republicans in Crittenden County have added 592 to their ranks while 421 Democrats have jumped ship. That’s a swing of more than 1,000 voters in eight years.
Since October of last year, 10 of the county’s 12 voting precincts added Republicans, while two lost. Marion Precinct No. 3 grew Republican ranks the most – 30 voters. Voters in that territory poll at Marion Baptist Church.
Meantime, 10 precincts saw Democratic numbers fall, one added voters – albeit only three – and another stayed steady. The sole area to gain was Marion Precinct No. 6, which polls at St. William Catholic Church.
Currently in Kentucky, a record 3.3 million residents are registered to vote.
Democrats still maintain a significant majority of 51.2 percent to 40.5 percent over Republicans, despite GOP growth since May 2008 of 284,183 to Democrats’ 31,483.
Republicans in the state, despite the growing unpopularity of the man at the top of their ticket, added 22,700 since the middle of last month.
Third-party and “Other” registrations account for 8.3 percent of the voters in Kentucky.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Daylight saving time ends Sunday
Daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday. Kentuckians will get
back the hour of sleep they lost during the spring time change in March.
When going to bed on Saturday night, adjust your clocks back one hour. For example, if going to bed at 11 p.m. Saturday, turn your clocks to 10 p.m. That way, your clocks will be accurate when you awaken Sunday.
Since 2007, daylight saving time begins in most states on the second Sunday of March and ends in November on the first Sunday.
Dec. 21 is the shortest day of the year. Daylight will continue to decrease until that day.
When going to bed on Saturday night, adjust your clocks back one hour. For example, if going to bed at 11 p.m. Saturday, turn your clocks to 10 p.m. That way, your clocks will be accurate when you awaken Sunday.
Since 2007, daylight saving time begins in most states on the second Sunday of March and ends in November on the first Sunday.
Dec. 21 is the shortest day of the year. Daylight will continue to decrease until that day.
Seminary Loop Road closed for work Monday
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close a section of Ky. 1901/Seminary Loop Road in Crittenden County on Monday.
Ky. 1901 will be closed at mile point 0.6 to allow a cross drain to be replaced. This closure point is along KY 1901 about a half-mile north of US 60 and just north of the first S curve off US 60.
The roadway at this site is expected to close at approximately 8 a.m. Monday. It is expected to reopen to traffic around 2 p.m. Monday.
There will be no marked detour. Property owners may access the area north of the closure via the Ky. 654 end of Ky. 1901.
This work is scheduled on a weather permitting basis.
Ky. 1901 will be closed at mile point 0.6 to allow a cross drain to be replaced. This closure point is along KY 1901 about a half-mile north of US 60 and just north of the first S curve off US 60.
The roadway at this site is expected to close at approximately 8 a.m. Monday. It is expected to reopen to traffic around 2 p.m. Monday.
There will be no marked detour. Property owners may access the area north of the closure via the Ky. 654 end of Ky. 1901.
This work is scheduled on a weather permitting basis.
Ky. 654 N closed for work Wednesday
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close a section of Ky. 654 North in Crittenden County on Wednesday.
Ky. 654 will be closed at the 7 mile marker in the Crittenden County west of Mattoon to allow a cross drain to be replaced.
This closure is along Ky. 654 in the Crittenden County Amish community between Mount Zion Church Road and Rooster Lane. It is about 3 miles west of US 60 in front of Ray’s Small Engine Repair Shop.
The roadway at this site is expected to close at approximately 8 a.m. Wednesday. Ky. 654 is expected to reopen to traffic around 2 p.m. Wednesday.
There will be no marked detour. Motorists may self-detour via side roads. Trucks should detour via appropriate state routes.
This work is scheduled on a weather permitting basis.
Ky. 654 will be closed at the 7 mile marker in the Crittenden County west of Mattoon to allow a cross drain to be replaced.
This closure is along Ky. 654 in the Crittenden County Amish community between Mount Zion Church Road and Rooster Lane. It is about 3 miles west of US 60 in front of Ray’s Small Engine Repair Shop.
The roadway at this site is expected to close at approximately 8 a.m. Wednesday. Ky. 654 is expected to reopen to traffic around 2 p.m. Wednesday.
There will be no marked detour. Motorists may self-detour via side roads. Trucks should detour via appropriate state routes.
This work is scheduled on a weather permitting basis.
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