Driver was shooting heroin during high-speed chase

Michael Fortner

The man police pursued in a high-speed chase through Crittenden County last week was actively shooting up heroin at the same time he was allegedly driving at speeds up to 130 mph in his Honda Accord trying to outrun police.

Michael Fortner, 29, of Denver, Colo., remains jailed in the Crittenden County Detention Center on a $100,000 cash bond. He is scheduled to appear for an arraignment Wednesday in Crittenden District Court.

Fortner is charged with 18 crimes. You will want to read how the pursuit started and what he told officer he was doing during the chase. Find those and other details in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, which will be on newsstands Wednesday.

You can subscribe to a digital version, or the old-fashioned newspaper, by clicking here. Subscriptions start at just $2.95 a month.

A sticker on Fortner's crashed Honda Accord.

Spiritual gathering at park on Sunday

A spirited crowed gathered for worship and praise Sunday at Marion-Crittenden Count Park.

Life in Christ Church, the community’s largest congregation, closed out its monthlong Fighting for Families series with a Victory in the Park celebration.

See more in this week’s printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

If you need a lawyer, contact Cobie Evans

Firemen called to McDonald’s Restaurant

City of Marion firemen were called to McDonald’s Restaurant at 5:30 pm this evening, responding to a fire.

Employees of the restaurant say it was a stove vent.

Everyone was outside and okay, and it appears firemen have it under control.

No driver testing Friday, Sept. 27

No written or driving tests will be administered on Friday, Sept. 27. Circuit Court Clerk Melissa Guill said the state is short an examiner, therefore no one will be available to give the tests in Marion.

First United hosts car show

Click Image to Enlarge

First United Bank is sponsoring a car show during next weekend's Pumpkin Festival.

The event begins at 9 a.m. and continues through lunchtime at the Marion Baptist Church parking lot.

Registration is at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for a number of categories, including Best of Shop, Top 5 Cars, Top 3 Trucks and Oldest Car.

For more information, contact George Richter at (270) 965-2348. Door prizes will be awarded compliments of First United Bank.

Area Death

Preston L. Driskill, 88, of Fredonia died Wednesday. Lakeland Funeral Home in Eddyville is in charge of arrangements.

Salem gets almost $75,000 for resurfacing work

Last week, a representative with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet was in Salem to announce $73,962 in discretionary funds for resurfacing work on four city streets. Pictured above are (from left) Salem City commissioners Craig Dossett, Janet Hughes and Brandon DeBoe, KyTC Department of Rural & Municipal Aid Commissioner Gray Tomblyn II, Mayor Gary Damron, City Commissioner Darryl Chittenden and Salem Utilities Director Doug Slayden.

See next week's print edition of The Crittenden Press for more details.

Marion City Council meeting in special session

Marion City Council will meet in special session at 5:15 p.m. Monday for one-item agenda. The council will consider a resolution to name an official to act as an agent on behalf of the city for all matters pertaining to federal financial assistance under the President's Disaster Relief Fund.

The Crittenden Press will offer further details in next week's edition.

Traveling Ky. Vietnam Wall speaker chosen

 

Next Thursday, the Traveling Kentucky Vietnam Wall will arrive in Marion for a three-day display set up at Marion Commons. The wall will be viewable round the clock, but a special opening ceremony has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27.

The keynote speaker for the kickoff will be Elizabeth "Liz" Snodgrass. While most people in the area may recognize her as CEO of Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services, Snodgrass is a Cold War veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Susan Alexander, executive director of Marion Main Street, said the primary sponsoring organization chose Snodgrass because of her veteran status and her eloquence as a speaker. Snodgrass is also married to a 20-year Air Force retiree whom she met while in the military.

"It's a huge honor, honesty, when you get to represent others who have given their lives for their country," Snodgrass said of the invitation to speak.

Five of those lost lives are from Crittenden County, and their names appear on the wall.

Crittenden County Historical Society, Marion Tourism Commission, Henry and Henry Monuments and Crittenden County Detention Center are also helping sponsor the wall's visit to Marion.

For the full story on the Traveling Kentucky Vietnam Wall and its schedule, grab a copy of next week's issue of the newspaper or subscribe to our online edition by clicking here.

Photo contest has agriculture theme

Click Image to Enlarge

A photo contest will earn a couple of lucky winners $25. All you have to do is submit a winning photograph with the theme "What Ag Means to Me."

The photo contest is held in conjunction with Farmers Bank & Trust Company's annual Farmer's Day Celebration, planned for Friday, Sept. 27 at the bank's South Main Street location in Marion.

Photographs must be submitted before Sept. 27 at the Crittenden County Extension Service on U.S. 60 East or at the Farmers Bank's main building on Main Street.

Winning photos will be displayed at Farmers Bank. Photos must be 8x10 prints. Divisions exist for amateur and professional photographers and for youth and adult divisions.

Crafters gather semimonthly to share interest

Hooks & Needles Crafter’s Corner Club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at Crittenden County Extension Service in order to exchange crafting ideas, share tips and visit with old friends. Formerly Crochet Club, the group of about 10 strong invites newcomers interested in needlework – embroidery, knitting, tatting, etc. Shown at yesterday's meeting are (clockwise from top left) Violet Lee, Victoria Edwards, Jo Brown, Barbara Gross, Judy Lanham and Nancy Lapp.

Tourism to help promote yard sales

Click Image to Enlarge

Having a yard sale during the Hwy 60 Yard Sale? The Marion Tourism Commission will advertise it for you.

Hundreds of people will be hosting yard sales up and down the Hwy. 60 route from Livingston to Meade counties Oct. 3-6. 

If you're having one, let the Tourism office know, and your address will be published in an annual advertisement in The Crittenden Press and Early Bird. There is no cost to participate.

Area Death

Thomas Leon Morse, 71, of Salem died Wednesday. Boyd Funeral Directors and Cremation Services in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Jailer defends treatment of prisoners

Jailer Robbie Kirk defended his decision to Crittenden Fiscal Court today to reward state prisoners who are part of supervised work crews with a dip in the pool at Marion Golf and Pool last month.

Magistrate Todd Perryman opened the discussion when he saught more details on the late August event at the country club pool. Kirk said Crittenden County Detention Center gave the opportunity to swim and cookout to 38 "community level" inmates who had been working on mowing crews and other supervised job details in late-summer heat.

County Attorney Rebecca Johnson was concerned with the decision on the basis of liability to the county, from the aspect of harm to an inmate or the public.

Kirk said the country club granted use of the pool, which was closed to the public at the time. He also said adult life guards were on duty at the time.

"We ask those guys to do things that are liability related," the jailer said. "I see no reason why they can’t get a reward."

Find out how other fiscal court members felt about the decision in next week's edition of The Crittenden Press, on newsstands next Wednesday.

Elementary students read to board members

Crittenden County Board of Education got a treat at Monday’s meeting with Readers Theater, a presentation by five students under the direction of teacher Daphne James who showcased their reading skills through expression and using cues to recite their part of the skit. Pictured above are (from left) James, board member Ryan McDaniel, student Brin Tramble, board chairman Chris Cook, student Jazzy Travis, Superintendent of Schools Vince Clark, student Micah Arriago, board member Eric LaRue, student Noah Holland, board member Tim Grau, student Gage Adamson and board member Bill Asbridge.

Tourism awards bid to tear down home

Marion Tourism Commission at a special meeting today awarded to bid to tear down a home at 112 Poplar St. in Marion that lies behind to the Market on Main. Razing the structure could begin as early as this week to make way for additional parking at the farmers market. To be graveled initially, the lot eventually be will be capped with asphalt, probably in the spring. Ethridge Excavating of Princeton was awarded the $5,000 bid to tear down and remove the small home. The company was the only bidder.

Band earns first place in season's first event

In its first competition of the season last weekend, Crittenden County High School Marching Band took first place at the Russellville Show of Bands.

Band Director Lindsey Byrd said her squad earned a score of 52.2 as the lone Class A competitor. 

The band competes again Saturday at Graves County High School, where it will compete against Mayfield in Class A.

Farmers Day Sept. 27

Click Image to Enlarge

Area farmers and artisans will be in a spotlight designed especially for them by Marion's oldest bank, Farmers Bank and Trust Co., during its annual Farmers Day celebration Sept. 27.

A broom maker, basket weaver, soap maker and other artisans will be demonstrating their crafts throughout the day-long celebration.

There will be vendors, including a ribeye sandwich sale benefiting Crittenden County Project Graduation. The event is held next to Farmers Bank's downtown location.

Prizes will be offered to winners of three contests – an apple pie contest sponsored by the Crittenden County Homemakers; a 4-H scarecrow design comest; and a photo contest with the theme "What Ag Means to Me."

Homecoming parade entry deadline nears

Crittenden County's 2019 football homecoming parade carries a theme of "Lights, camera, action!" It is set to begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 down Main Street in Marion.

The parade gives high school classes and the community an opportunity to show off their school spirit prior to kickoff on the following night. This year, the Rockets take on Trigg County.

The school encourages participation in the parade by school and community groups, with a few guidelines.

If an individual or organization would like to enter a float or car in the parade, contact Vince at kim.vince@crittenden.kyschools.us or (270) 965-2248. The deadline to enter the parade is Friday, Sept. 27

Find out more details on parade entries inside this week's print edition of The Crittenden Press, on newsstands Wednesday.