Expect low-flying planes over Crittenden County

Area of Flights. Click to Enlarge.

Crittenden Countians may notice some low-flying aircraft through the end of the year. It has been announced that small, twin-engine Piper Navajo airplanes will be flying grids over Crittenden and other counties in the tri-state area as part of a research effort to collect 3D imagery of the Fluorspar District in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

The low-level flights of about 260 to 1,000 feet above the ground are scheduled to occur in Crittenden County in October, November and December. 

Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Geological Surveys of Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana are partnering to image geology using airborne geophysical technology as part of the USGS Earth Mapping Resource Initiative (Earth MRI) project.

For this tri-state survey, the USGS is contracting with EON Geosciences and will fly over all or parts of 23 counties in southeastern Illinois, western Kentucky and southern Indiana. The planes and crew will be based out of the Barkley Regional airport in west Paducah. Weather permitting, the survey will be done by December. Planes will be taking imagery while flying a grid pattern along east-west flight lines spaced approximately 650 feet apart. North-south flight lines will be spaced 9,800 feet apart. All survey flights will occur during daylight hours.

A Piper Navajo airplane with tail stinger magnetometer. 

Two Piper Navajo airplanes will be mounted with passive sensors that measure variations in the Earth’s magnetic field created by different rock types up to several miles beneath the surface. Each plane will also include sensors that measure soil and rock chemistry at the surface. None of the instruments carried on the aircraft pose a health risk to people or animals. The aircraft will be flown by experienced pilots that are specially trained and approved for low-level flying. All flights are coordinated with the FAA to ensure flights are in accordance with United States law.

Yard sales everywhere

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If you like a good bargain, this is the weekend to get out and find it! And the arrival of more fall-like weather makes it all the more enjoyable.

The Hwy. 60 Yard Sale, spanning through Livingston to Meade counties, continues through Sunday.

The Marion Tourism Commission has provided this list of submitted addresses in Marion and Salem addresses where yard sales are ongoing.

Falling prices at Feagan's this weekend

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Stop in Feagan's Furniture in Fredonia this weekend for fabulous fall savings.

Special pricing will be indicated with bright orange tags on many pieces.

Discounts will be marked on furniture in the main showroom as well as the Odds 'n Ends store next door.

From the School Superintendent : Rocket Report

Superintendent Vince Clark discusses a variety of school

matters in his first in a series of video messages.

Rocket Report will be broadcast regular this school year.

Today's Webcast is brought to you by

Injury accident in town after parade

Marion Police Chief Ray O'Neal and Patrolman Heath Martin sweep glass off of West Bellville Street, cleaning up following an injury accident at the intersection of Bellville and Court streets in front of Gilbert Funeral Home.

The crashed happened about at 5:45pm right after the homecoming parade ended.

An ambulance was called to the scene. There were no immediate details about the extent of injuries, but they did not appear to be too serious.

A large number of vehicles were trying to get out of downtown following the homecoming parade, which may have contributed to the accident.

Homecoming Parade LIVE today on Facebook

Follow today's Football Homecoming Parade in downtown Marion LIVE on Facebook.

Use this LINK to get the LIVE coverage beginning at 5pm.

Today's LIVE coverage of the Homecoming Parade is brought to you by PARTNERS INSURANCE of Marion, Kentucky.

Partners is offering Free Medicare Review and Open Enrollment Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

Contact Denise Byarley at Partners Insurance in Marion for an appointment to review or change your Medicare Part D insurance for the coming year.

Highway 60 Yard Sale continues into weekend

Lisa Braden of Webster County shops for bargains at a yard sale at Repton Baptist Church on U.S. 60 East near Mattoon. Braden was making her way down the road for the Highway 60 Yard Sale that began today and continues into Sunday at hundreds of individual locations along a 200-mile stretch from Livingston County eastward to Meade County. In fact, there are more than 30 yard, indoor and garage sales advertised in this week's issue of The Crittenden Press. The sale at Repton Baptist, which runs through Saturday, is serving as a fundraiser for local missionaries Schuyler and Cathy Brantley, with all proceeds going to help fund their planned mission trip to the Philippines.

Golf course has new Bermuda ready to play

After only a few short weeks, the Heritage Golf Course has its newly renovated Bermuda greens ready to roll.

The course is open to the public three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Otherwise, it's private. Green fee and a cart is just $20.

In addition to the newly revived greens, the club is getting ready to open a public sports bar and restaurant called Mulligans.

Get the scoop in this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press or subscribe now for just $2.95 to the full digital edition.

Drought declaration issued for entire state

The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet and the Office of the State Climatologist, in coordination with the Kentucky drought mitigation team, have issued a Level 2 drought declaration for 78 counties and a Level 1 declaration for 42 counties, including Crittenden and Livingston counties.

A Level 1 drought declaration has been issued for areas in western and northeastern Kentucky indicating moderate to severe drought conditions have developed primarily affecting soil moisture and vegetative health. Serious impacts to agricultural water needs, an increased wildfire risk, abnormally low flows in streams, and resultant water quality issues can be expected in the designated areas. A Level 2 drought could lead to substantial agricultural losses, diminished stream flows in small streams and rivers and increases in the occurrence of wildfires.

The Commonwealth has been experiencing unprecedented dryness, with most locations recording little to no precipitation during the month of September. This lack of precipitation, combined with record heat, has led to rapidly deteriorating conditions.

Record heat and dryness continues into the weekend, with less than 50 percent of showers or thunderstorms Saturday night and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service at Paducah. The forecast shows relief from the record heat beginning later this week, but the long-term outlooks indicates below-normal precipitation for the next 30 days.

“The combination of hot, dry weather that set in across Kentucky in August reached an unprecedented level during September, based on the period of record dating back to 1895,” said Stu Foster, state climatologist for Kentucky.

Public water supplies are not seriously affected at this time, 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 drought-vulnerable aquifers. Low water levels in lakes can also lead to water quality issues that could present treatment challenges for utilities.

"We are, of course, monitoring the conditions," Marion City Administrator Adam Ledford said of the city's reservoir, Lake George.

Crittenden-Livingston Water District, which serves the county outside the incorporated limits of Marion, draws its water from the Cumberland River.

Matt Dixon, with the UK Ag Weather Center, said data at the weather center showed the state averaged only 0.28 inches of rain during the month.

“This has led farm ponds and streams to diminish tremendously, which has pushed some producers to start hauling water,” Dixon said.

The hot, dry conditions have had a serious impact on agricultural interests, especially when it comes to cattle production. Severely diminished pasture conditions have led to limited fall grazing, and in turn, forced many producers to feed winter hay well ahead of schedule.  Numerous county agents are reporting hay yields cut in half, while moisture availability has put a halt to pasture renovations.

Mineral museum 'hidden jewel' for Benton students

A few dozen third-graders from Benton Elementary School visited the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum this morning for an education field trip. Above, four girls check out minerals in a display case. Teacher Kimberly Anderson calls the museum a "hidden jewel" that her school has visited many times over the last several years to coincide with science lessons. "The kids really love it," Anderson said. "Most have never seen anything like this." A crowd favorite is the room that features luminescent minerals that glow under special light. The museum, known the world over, is a common host to students from districts around western Kentucky.

Marion sewer work continues

Above, workers with Adkins Excavating install a manhole cover in Greenwood Heights recently as part of a wastewater treatment system upgrade that will eventually include a new sewer plant. Earlier today, City of Marion officials met with engineers and construction managers for an update on the project. City Administrator Adam Ledford said about $400,000 of work as part of an overall $2 million line upgrade was completed in September. "We are now beginning to look at a plan for restoration of roads," Ledford said of the streets affected by line and manhole replacements.

Students, parents get jump on flu season

Mark Vince of Marion gets his immunization earlier this evening from school nurse Brandy Whitney during a flu shot clinic at Rocket Arena for Crittenden County students and parents. Vince and his wife Kim, a history teacher at the high school, each got their shots along with their two children, Russell and Charlotte.

Pennyrile District Health Department will be hosting a flu shot clinic from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Crittenden County Senior Citizens Center. The clinic is for anyone of any age. The following day, Crittenden County Health Department will host a flu shot clinic at its office on Industrial Drive. It runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary. The cost is $25 for both clinics will be $25 or Medicare, Medicaid or insurance can be billed.

Homecoming parade, powder puff and more

It is football homecoming week and there are lots of activities planned for the last part of the week, including Thursday evening’s parade in downtown Marion, powder puff football and coronation of the king and queen.

Of course, then there’s a football game at 7pm on Friday as the Rockets take on Trigg County.

Here are some things you need to know about these upcoming events:

THURSDAY'S PARADE

• The parade lineup begins at 4pm
• Parade participants must be in line by 4:30pm.
• The parade begins at 5pm.
• If you or you’re child is involved in the parade, please park in one of the downtown lots and walk your child to the float staging area.
• Do not drive into the float staging area on and around Elm, Depot, Moore and Court streets on the west side of Main Street. 
• Parade entries, please line up on the right side of the street where you are staging.
• If your float or parade entry is tossing candy, please toss it gently.
• Do not toss candy in the float staging area.
• Golf carts and ATVs are not allowed in the parade.
• All parade drivers must be 18 or older.
• Parade drivers, please watch for children darting into the streets for candy.

THURSDAY'S POWDER PUFF

Thursday’s annual powder puff football game is at Rocket Stadium after the parade, around 6:30pm. Seniors and Freshmen play first followed by the Sophomores and the Juniors. Winners of those games will play for the championship. 

FRIDAY'S HOMECOMING CEREMONY AND GAME

• Friday’s pregame coronation ceremony begins promptly at 6:30pm.
• Attendants are asked to be there no later than 6:10pm.
• Kickoff of Rockets vs Trigg is at 7pm.
• There is a homecoming dance following the game on campus.

Alleged crime spree lands man, woman in jail

Marion Police Department arrested a couple last week for an alleged shoplifting spree that victimized four Marion businesses.

Jacob L. Nixon, 26, of Henderson and Danielle R. James, 26, of Sturgis were taken into custody on Thursday and lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center, where they remain. The two face multiple theft and drug charges.

Police Chief Ray O’Neal said the male suspect also had active warrants for his arrest out of Union County.

The two suspects are scheduled to appear in Crittenden District Court Wednesday for arraignment.

For complete details of this arrest, see this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press, which will be on newsstands Wednesday.

Specialty crops, pastures taking beating from weather

At more than a month of only trace amounts of rain, the heat and dry conditions are starting to take a toll on growers.

"We have some nervous soybean farmers," said Dee Heimgartner, Crittenden County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, of growers waiting on double-crop beans to mature under withering conditions.

Coupled with the lack of rain, temperatures 10 degrees higher than normal in September also dried out lawns and pastures. Kentucky pastureland is  suffering with 60 percent considered poor to very poor, as is 9 percent of livestock. As of Monday, 19 percent of soybeans were rated poor to very poor by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisville.

Corn, 58 percent of the which has already been harvested, is mostly faring OK.

But some specialty fall crops are taking a beating.

"The mums are suffering with the heat and drought right now," said Heimgartner. "They still are looking good, but it is taking a lot of water for irrigation. This includes the producers and homeowners who have already purchased mums."

For more on how late-season weather has affected growers and the pumpkin crop, pick up Wednesday's edition of The Crittenden Press in newsstands.

Greenwell in clubhouse with 2-over 74

UPDATED: Greenwell has finished tied for third overall and will advance to the state tournament for the first time.

ORIGINAL POST: Crittenden County junior golfer Sam Greenwell has completed his round in the First Region Tournament in Calvert City.

He's in the clubhouse with a 2-over-par 74, which may indeed be good enough to make the cut and earn a berth in the state tournament. If so, he will become the first Rocket golfer to qualify for state since the early 1990s.

It could be around 4pm before all of the high school golfers have finished their play in the regional event and complete results are posted.

Stay tuned to The Crittenden Press for details of Greenwell's finish.

Judge-executive office phones down

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom reports the phone lines in his courthouse office are temporarily down due to a fiber optic issue with Mediacom. There is no known timetable for the repairs.

Local Home Improvement Services

PROVIDENCE ROAD IN STURIGS CLOSED

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close a section of KY 923/Old Providence Road in Sturgis starting this week.

KY 923 will be closed to allow removal of an elevated section of roadway at the old railroad crossing at mile point 1.965. The closure is etween South Holt Drive and South King Street, just east of the KY 365/North Monroe Street intersection in Sturgis.

The contractor will be removing the remaining railroad tracks, removing the elevated section of roadway, and reconstructing a new driving surface at the site.

The work is expected to take about 4 days. There will be no marked detour.

Rogers Group, Inc, is the prime contractor on this $625,433 highway improvement project, which also includes paving and intersection improvements along KY 141 in Union County.

Coffee with Congressman Comer

First District Congressman James Comer was in town this morning to meet with a wide spectrum of local stakeholders across the community. Above, Comer (right) chats with (from left) Crittenden County Sheriff Wayne Agent, former Judge-Executive Fred Brown and local Republican committee member Fred Stubblefield. More than two dozens representatives of county and city government, education, industry, the courts, business and more attended the hour-long update on congressional happenings followed by a Q&A.

The Big Event: Ladies' Night Saturday!

H&H Home and Hardware in Marion, Ky., will host another Ladies' Night on Saturday, Oct. 5. 

Big Johnz BBQ truck will be there plus music by DJ Remix MC, DIY Crafts with Paint Samplers and Viki Carlson's Chalk Paint Demonstrations. 

It's PARTY TIME at H&H Home and Hardware. 

The fun starts at noon, but Ladies Night Specials begin at 7pm.

Be in line by 6pm for Live Entertainment and Early Bird Specials.