Bluegrass holding 3 upcoming auctions

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US 641: A new path to interstate

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Crittenden County’s interests were well represented Tuesday at a public meeting to reveal the preliminary preferred alternate for the U.S. 641 improvement project in Caldwell and Lyon counties.

More than 200 people, including local and regional officials, attended the open house-format presentation in Fredonia to meet with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) representatives, study plans and provide input on the alternative. As many as a quarter of those in attendance were from Crittenden County, including Judge-Executive Perry Newcom and several magistrates whose primary interest is to see that the long-awaited widened and realigned corridor to interstate travel is completed.

"We aren't concerned with where it goes, necessarily," Newcom said. "We just want to make sure it goes."

The plan as presented Tuesday claims nine homes along its course in Caldwell and Lyon counties and affects 55 property owners, including 95 acres at Western Kentucky Correctional Complex and 270 overall acres of public lands. But those figures could .... see more in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

County, Amish to discuss road troughing solutions

Crittenden Fiscal Court’s road committee will meet with Amish leaders Thursday morning to discuss possible remedies to asphalt troughing along county roads caused by repeated horse traffic.

The meeting will take place in the fiscal courtroom at the courthouse at 9 a.m.

County leaders last month opened discussion about remedies for what they believe is road damage caused by pounding of horse hooves on pavement in the Amish community.

Read More on this Matter
County Leaders considering horseshoe options
Amish have lived here more than 40 years

Labor Day Weekend busiest of season on lakes

The sun sets earlier each day and the kids are back in school. Summer is all but over. This inevitability prompts many to visit lakes, rivers and streams to get in that last weekend of the summer boating season during the Labor Day holiday weekend.

“Our busiest weekend of the year,” said Maj. Shane Carrier, assistant director of law enforcement for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Traditionally, Labor Day marks the end of the boating season.”

The crowded conditions common on this holiday weekend make observance of simple boating safety procedures vital to a safe weekend for everyone.

The law requires each passenger in a vessel to have a personal floatation device, commonly called a lifejacket, readily accessible for

Area Death

Stacey Lynn Doom, 50, of Burna died Friday. Boyd Funeral Directors was in charge of arrangements.

Marion beer sales start Monday

Bud Light truck at Five Star Monday morning.

• This article was updated Monday morning with photo and additional details.

At least one Marion retail business will begin selling packaged beer Monday. A spokesman for for Five Star Convenience Center said it received a license Friday and has scheduled its first delivery from a supplier for Monday.

Read this week's issue of The Crittenden Press to find out more.

Monday will be the first alcohol sold legally in Crittenden County since late 1936. It will likely be late this year before the first liquor store can receive a license from the state and begin selling all varieties of alcohol.

In May, Marion voters approved legalizing the sale of alcohol 403-277.

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Nine Distinguished Young Women vying for Scholarships

SATURDAY NIGHT AT FOHS HALL

Distinguished Young Women are highlighted in
this week's newspaper. Don't miss the event.

Nine Crittenden County High School seniors will compete for $7,500 in scholarships Saturday night during the first Crittenden County Distinguished Young Women (DYW) showcase.

One winner will be named, with awards presented in several other categories, including best interview, spirit award, scholastic, talent, fitness and self-expression.

DYW is a national program with several chapters in western Kentucky. Family Court Judge Brandi Rogers helped bring the program to Crittenden County, and is excited to “positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent,” which is the national mission of the program.

Since early summer, participants have been working with the DYW committee and mentors who have helped them choose a talent and prepare a group fitness routine, choose proper interview attire and prep for one-on-one interviews with the judges.

The showcase will begin at 6 p.m. at Fohs Hall in Marion.

The Woman’s Club of Marion is the sponsoring organization for DYW, and numerous local contributors have helped make this showcase possible, Rogers said.

Mexico hosts God's Graffiti artist

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Join Mexico Baptist Saturday afternoon for fun activities for kids and a message by God's Graffiti artist Tim Bertram.

Bertram specializes in communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ through art, ministering at revivals, camps, children's events, youth events, special programs and concerts. Bertram is a speaker and artist who has spoken at events in 21 states and four countries.

Bertram holds a bachelor's of science in non-profit organizational leadership from Mid-Continent University, a master's of art in Christian theology from Trinity Theological Seminary and a doctor of religious studies in digital ministry and worship arts form Trinity Theological Seminary in Evansville.

Coach Thompson discusses season outlook

Football Week 1

Here is this week's Sean Thompson Coach's Show

Produced by The Crittenden Press

CCHS, CCMS on "soft lockdown"

UPDATE
The lockout was lifted 1:30 p.m., and the school district released the following statement:

"The soft lockout at the middle and high school campus is now lifted. We appreciate everyone's understanding that when any situation like this occurs – no matter how minor – your children's safety and security are our top priorities. In a minor situation such as today's event, details of such situations are kept confidential in order to ensure proper protocols are followed and students and staff are safe.

"To further explain, there is distinct difference between a lockout and a lockdown. A lockout is called during a minor situation that requires heightened awareness. The school day continues as normal, but with increased attention to safety. A lockdown, on the other hand, is called to protect students from danger inside their school. All normal activities are immediately halted.

"We understand that in situations like these, our parents and the community, in general, may be concerned and eager for news. We thank you, however, for your patience and trust in us as we work together with our school resource officer and local law enforcement to keep Crittenden County Schools – and all of our students and staff – safe."

ORIGINAL POST 
Crittenden County Middle and High schools were placed on "soft lockdown" within the last hour. Superintendent Vince Clark said the lockout became necessary due to an upset parent trying to enter the school. The parent was not allowed into the school, and as a precautionary measure, the lockout was enacted to prevent the parent from trying to enter at a later time. During a lockout, it is business as usual inside the school for students and staff. School Resource Officer John Shofner is on scene to oversee the situation.

Two popular restaurants closed in Marion

Two popular Marion restaurants are either closed or appear closed.

Neither Marion Pit Barbecue nor Tony's Main Street Italian Grill are currently open to customers.

Tony Perryman, owner of the Italian restaurant, confirmed that he has closed the Grill starting today. The restaurant has been listed for sale with a local realty company for a few weeks.

The barbecue restaurant, recently celebrated by Southern Living Magazine as one of the best small-town barbecue places in the South, has been shuttered for about seven or eight days, according to those who live nearby. The Press has tried to make contact with owner Mark Easley for confirmation, but so far calls have not been returned.

Hospital offers wide range of services

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Courthouse open as storm, heat shelter

Crittenden County Courthouse will open this afternoon and overnight as a shelter from the weather, whether that be storms or heat.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory due to expected heat index values today.

Billy Arflack, assistant director of the Crittenden County Emergency Management, said the courthouse will available for anyone who needs a cool place of respite.

In addition to hot, humid weather, Arflack said the courthouse basement is a good shelter in case of strong storms, which are expected this evening.

It will be open from 4:30pm this afternoon until 7:30am in the morning.

Coach's Show returns every Thursday

Starting this week, The Crittenden Press will be producing its weekly YouTube Coach's Show with Rocket Coach Sean Thompson, and other guests.

You will not want to miss an episode, and this year our Commercials are Super Bowl worthy! 

First show is Thursday, Aug. 22. 

It's Game Time!

Equally as interesting and entertaining will be our weekly Player Profiles. 

Follow the Rockets right here for the scoop on what's happening in #RocketNation.

Sturigs Main Street work begins today

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans milling to be followed by paving along a section of Ky. 109 (Main Street) in the Sturgis area of Union County starting today.

This work zone runs along Main Street from the U.S. 60 intersection at the 4-Way Stop in Sturgis northward to about 500 ft. north of the Ky. 492 intersection, a distance of about 3.55 miles.

Milling started this morning. Asphalt paving is expected to follow starting on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Motorists traveling this section should be alert for one-lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers.

Judge appeals for relief to crowded, unsecure courtroom

Court officials lament inadequacies of courthouse

For years, Crittenden County has wished for a new courthouse.

At times, it has seemed as though the county was on the cusp of being approved for funding a renovation or perhaps a new justice center elsewhere in town.

But state leaders say there is no money for courthouses for now, much the chagrin of Circuit Judge Rene Williams, Commonwealth Attorney Zac Greenwell, County Attorney Rebecca Johnson and other who have to deal with the inadequacies of the current courthouses.

Last week, the courtroom on the top floor of the courthouse was packed to the gills. Over 180 prospective jurors were summoned to town in order to seat a new grand jury and circuit court jury. More than 150 showed up and quarters were tight.

Generally, there are not that many jurors summoned, but with a multi-week civil case looming, the court was planning ahead. Ironically, the wrongful death lawsuit that necessitated the... (for the rest of this article see the Aug. 15, 2019 printed edition of The Crittenden Press, subscribe now for as little as $2.95 to get full digital access to that particular issue and every other issue of the newspaper back to 2008).

Gilchrist captures second All A regional championship

CCHS senior Lauren Gilchrist is champion of the
First Region All A Classic for a third time.

Lauren Gilchrist shot even par to capture her second straight All A Classic First Region golf championship Saturday at Deer Lakes Golf Course in Salem.

Gilchrist is a six-time state qualifier for the All A State Tournament, which will be held Sept. 7 at University of Arlington Golf Course in Richmond, Ky. She also won the tournament at a seventh grader in 2014.

Crittenden's boys were led by Sam Greenwell's 77. He qualifies for the state tournament, which will be Sept. 7 at Gibson Bay Golf Course in Richmond, Ky.

University Heights' Weston Wood took the individual regional crown with a 75 and Greenwell finished second. Livingston Central's Darit Barnes was third at 79. Barnes also qualifies for the state tournament.

UHA won the boys' team title.

Football scrimmage tonight at Rocket Stadium

Rockets host Calloway County

Preseason Class A 8th-ranked Crittenden County will host a gamelike scrimmage tonight against Calloway County. Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm. There will be about three quarters of varsity action, then some JV scrimmaging. Admission is free and there will be light concessions. Footage is from Thursday's script scrimmage during after-school practice. Crittenden opens on the road next week at Fort Campbell. Stay tuned for complete preseason coverage in next week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press. Follow the Rockets at Twitter @CrittendenPress.

Area Death

James Virgil Holloman, 86, of Marion died Tuesday. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.