Voter registration ends today

Today is the last day to registered to vote in the Tuesday, Nov. 5 general election in Kentucky. Prospective voters can register or check their registration inside Crittenden County Clerk Carolyn Byford's courthouse office until 4 p.m. local or online at GoVoteKy.com unitil 3 p.m. local time. Mail-in voter registration forms must be postmarked by today. On this year's ballot are statewide races for governor/lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer and agriculture commissioner. The absentee voting machine will be set up in Byford's office beginning Monday, Oct. 14 and running through Monday, Nov. 4. Absentee voting is for people who will be out of the county on Election Day or who may have difficulty making it to the polls due to age, illness or physical disability.

4-H Week proclaimed in county

In recognition of National 4-H Week, Judge-Executive Perry Newcom (seated at left) has proclaimed this Crittenden County 4-H Week. Pictured with Newcom are local 4-H members Paul Combs (seated at right) and (back from left) Caleb Combs, Taylor Haire and Maegan Potter and Crittenden County 4-H Youth Development Agent Leslea Barnes. 4-H is the nation's largest youth development organization, supporting nearly 6 million youth across the country and more than 500 in Crittenden County. For more information on Crittenden County 4-H, grab a copy of this week's issue of The Crittenden Press on newsstands Wednesday.

PERFECTION! Jr Pro Rockets go undefeated

Avery Thompson goes for a big gain after a catch.

Crittenden County's fifth- and sixth-grade Junior Pro football team made it a clean sweep of the league this season, beating Webster County 12-0 on Saturday at Rocket Arena to complete an undefeated regular season.

The young Rockets will host the post-season Junior Pro Jamboree on Oct. 19-20 at Rocket Stadium.

For complete details of Saturday's game and more on the post-season pairings, see this week's printed edition of The Crittenden Press.

Two closed restaurants soon to reopen

One of two popular Marion restaurants that closed within days of the other in August will soon be re-opening with only a handful of noticeable changes. Plans for the other are revamp the restaurant and open in early 2020.

A deal was closed earlier today with new owners who plan to re-open Marion Pit Bar-B-Q, sometimes known as Jack's by the Tracks because of its location near what was once a railbed. The barbecue restaurant, featured prominently in Southern Living magazine in the past, closed in mid-August. Purchased locally, the new proprietors plan to keep the name unchanged and the same recipe for the eatery's barbecue and unique sauce.

Meantime, Tony's Main Street Italian Grill that closed in late August has been purchased by a separate set of local owners and is currently being refurbished. Tentatively planned as Gameday Pizza and Wings, the restaurant across from the courthouse in Marion could open early next year.

For more details on plans for the two restaurants, pick up next week's issue of The Crittenden Press on newsstands Wednesday.

H&H hosts its Ladies Night 2

- SATURDAY -

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

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.

Two Distinguished Alumni inducted

Dr. Johnny Newcom (left) and Jonathan Burdon (right) are pictured with Crittenden County Superintendent of Schools Vince Clark following the two men's induction Friday afternoon as Crittenden County Distinguished Alumni. Newcom, a Marion chiropractor, was inducted largely on his volunteerism in the community, particularly with youth. Burdon, founder and CEO and SDA Media, was inducted as an entrepreneur. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., where his company is located.

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

Click Image to Enlarge

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

Click Image to Enlarge

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.