Sorrow and Joy in this Week's News

The final newspaper of 2018 is full of joy and heartbreak. 

There will be no newspaper next week as we celebrate the holidays and the Birth of Christ. We wish all of our readers and the community a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year. January 3 will be our next printed issue, but as always we will bring you Breaking News right here round the clock.

Unfortunately, there is sorrow in our community after the tragic loss of a beloved substitute school teacher. Although she passed away after the newspaper went to print, we have details of the accident that claimed her young life. Also, a family in Salem lost its home to fire last week. Find out how you can help in this week's Press.

While hearts are heavy in those respects, there are indeed blessings aplenty as the Advent season approaches. This week’s newspaper is bulging with children’s wish lists. Our Letters to Santa section is sure to light up your day.

In local news, the manhunt continues for a Crittenden County suspect in several burglaries in four counties. State police have issued a warning in the matter, and Crittenden deputies almost nabbed him Sunday. Read how he got away this time.

The school superintendent was evaluated by the board of education. See the board's findings in this week’s edition. Plus, the local football coach was recognized by his peers in a big way.

We visited with former mayor Bob Fox last week and from our conversation we’re able to look back to the future. 

The grand jury and circuit court saw some activity last week and a handful of local folks will spend Christmas in prison.

Local individuals were honored in a variety of ways by a number of groups. See who’s saluting your neighbors in this week's newspaper. 

Annexation of airport road is back in the news and there's so much other going on in the community that we cannot highlight it all right here.

There’s only one source of comprehensive news and sports coverage in Marion and Crittenden County. Never miss out on what’s going on in your community. We have our ear to the rail and always keep you posted on what’s happening. Subscribe today to ensure that real news reporting continues in your community. Get the printed edition or read the entire paper online with a subscription to The Press, starting at just $2.95.

Copyright 2018

The Crittenden Press

Local man injured in tractor mishap

UPDATE: The victim was Joe Heady, 83, of Marion. He was flown to Vanderbilt Hospital. 

ORIGINAL POST

A Crittenden County man was seriously injured in a tractor accident shortly before 4pm today.

First responders immediately called for an air ambulance and the AirEvac helicopter landed in a field just off Ky. 1668 (Crittenden Springs Road) near where the accident happened. He was transported to a nearby trauma center.

Although it was not immediately clear how the accident happened, both tractor and victim were inside of a barn.

The Press has chosen to not name the victim until notice is properly made to his family.

Area Death

Zola Barnes, 70, of Marion died Tuesday at Morganfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Whitsell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Well-known substitute teacher dies

A well-known substitute teacher has died from injuries suffered in an automobile accident that happened Friday after leaving a basketball game in Smithland and heading toward her home near Fredonia.

Sara Kesler, 30, died this morning at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, five days after the crash, which occurred around 10 p.m., Friday on Ky. 855 North in rural Crittenden County.

Her death marks the third fatality on Crittenden County roads this year.

Kesler was driving south and coming off Kirk Bluff when she encountered an earlier single-vehicle crash in a curve. Kesler swerved to miss the vehicle that had crashed in the ditch on her side of the road. She lost control of her Toyota Prius and went off a steep embankment into a forested area.

Melissa Asbridge, 51, of Marion had been driving the Ford Focus involved in the first crash on the wet road. She was taken to Livingston Hospital by private vehicle.

Kesler freed her self from her vehicle, climbed up the steep embankment of about 80 feet and was taken by ambulance to Livingston Hospital. She was later transferred to Deaconess.

Rockets hammered by Threes at Henderson

Gabe Mott

Henderson County set a school record for 3-pointers last night, beating the Rockets 88-52 at Henderson.

The Colonels (6-1) hit 19 of 31 shots from long range.

Gabe Mott led Crittenden (2-6) with 14 points. See details here on the Rocket Basketball Blog. Mott has been averaging about 20 points a game over the last week or so and he is among the state leaders in foul shooting.

Crittenden's boys will be playing a couple of holiday tournaments. See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for details and follow the action daily at the Rocket Blog.

Girls heading to Florida

The Lady Rockets basketball team is heading to Florida later today and will play a three-day series in Orlando.

Crittenden's girls are 5-3 on the season after losing Monday at home to Carlisle County.

Follow the Lady Rockets' action in Florida right here at The-Press.com.

For details of basketball action over the past week, see this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, which will be on newsstands Wednesday.

Fund established to help fire victims

Marion United Methodist Church has established a fund to accept financial contributions and other items for the Tinsley Family, who lost their home and belongings in a fire Friday night in Salem.

Ten people were living in the large, two-story home. Jay and Brandy Tinsley, their two teenage children; a grown son and his family of five; and a brother-in-law lost everything.

Most needed are household and personal items such as bedding, beds, towels, wash clothes, kitchenware, dishes and toiletries.

Those can be taken to the Methodist church in Marion. Financial assistance can be mailed to Tinsley Family c/o Marion United Methodist Church, 112 South College Street, Marion, KY. Please call to arrange drop-off of items, (270) 965-4580.

Some area gas prices drop below 2 bucks

In case you have not noticed, gasoline prices in Kentucky have fallen 5.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.09 per gallon yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 2,623 stations in Kentucky.

This price compares with the national average that has fallen 5.7 cents per gallon versus last week to $2.36/g, according to GasBuddy.

Some consumers in the area are reporting gas less than two bucks a gallon, which is good news just ahead of the holiday travel season.

Average gasoline prices on December 2017 in Kentucky have ranged widely over the last five years:
$2.24/g in 2017, $2.25/g in 2016, $1.88/g in 2015, $2.34/g in 2014 and $3.17/g in 2013.

Including the change locally during the past week, prices yesterday were 14.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago and are 28.6 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has dropped 26.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 5.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Public office holiday closings

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Fredonia church hosts Christmas program

Fredonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church Players present its Christmas program

A HEAVENLY CHRISTMAS CAROL

Sunday, Dec. 16 at the 10:50am service.

Everyone is welcome.

Christmas cantata Sunday

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Multiple agencies fighting fire in Salem

Multiple fire fighting agencies responded to a house fire in Salem on Shelby Store Road Friday night. 

Several volunteer fire departments from Crittenden and Livingston counties were dispatched to assist with the blaze, which could be seen from downtown Salem.

Jazz concert Saturday night

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The gift for everyone on your list!

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Firemen respond to blaze in Dycusburg

Firemen from Caldwell Springs and Crittenden County volunteer fire departments were dispatched to a structure fire in Dycusburg at 9:30pm Thursday night.

Initial reports were that the blaze was on Spring Street at an unoccupied house.

Middle School PostSeason at Rocket Arena

8th Grade Basketball Tournament
at Rocket Arena

BOYS
Thursday’s Result
Crittenden 53, Livingston 42
Saturday’s Semifinals
Lyon County vs Crittenden County, 10:30am
Trigg County vs Caldwell, County 1:30pm
Championship Game
Saturday, 4:30pm

GIRLS
Thursday’s First Round
Caldwell defeated Livingston
Saturday’s Semifinals
Lyon County vs Caldwell County, 9am
Crittenden County vs Trigg County, noon
Championship Game
Saturday, 3pm

Your Local News for the Season!

Moving ever so swiftly into the Christmas holiday, The Crittenden Press presents one of its final issues of 2018 which is complete with news, information and entertainment you will find absolutely nowhere else.

This week’s Press says you may soon be paying more for drinking water. Find out who’s hiking the price, why and how much it will be.

Then there’s a sales tax issue. Local sports organizations and even the rescue squad are being summoned to the tax table by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. New enforcement of an existing tax law could have a serious chilling affect on fundraising in Crittenden County.

Jeopardy! Guess who and when!

US 641 is now open, but there’s no great joy in Mudville. Find out why reaction is subdued to the long-awaited opening of new highway between Marion and Fredonia.

A local pastor is dogging it when he gets the chance. You’ll want to read what’s going on.

The Press also has basketball summaries, rankings and more from middle school and high school sports.

There’s only one source of comprehensive news and sports coverage in Marion and Crittenden County. Never miss out on what’s going on in your community. We have our ear to the rail and always keep you posted on what’s happening. Subscribe today to ensure that real news reporting continues in your community. Get the printed edition or read the entire paper online with a subscription to The Press, starting at just $2.95.

New commercial grade internet available

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Former magistrate dies

Former Crittenden County magistrate Helen McConnell of the Mattoon community died early this morning at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville.

Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Double dose of Blue victory

There are not too many husbands and wives who share
the basketball court like Shannon and Denis Hodge,
Crittenden's girls' and  boys' head coaches. On Tuesday
the couple was all smiles with a pair of wins.

Crittenden County got a double dose of victory Tuesday night in a split doubleheader at Rocket Arena.

The Rockets picked up their first win of the season over Christian Fellowship as one CCHS sophomore scored nearly 30 points. 

The Lady Rockets continue winning. They earned a fourth victory of the season, beating Dawson Springs.

On Friday, the boys and girls will travel to Livingston for a pair of Fifth District showdowns. See this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press for all the details from Tuesday's games and get a preview of what's expected at Smithland on Friday.