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| Sykes |
A friend found Sykes face down in her above-ground swimming pool the night she drowned. Sykes had told acquaintances earlier in the day that she planned to clean her backyard pool that afternoon. A pool vacuum hose was found on the deck near the water, and Sykes was wearing a swim suit when discovered.
Friends say she had an intolerance for very hot weather. That afternoon, the temperature was 89 degrees with humidity near 100 percent.
Coroner Brad Gilbert said the autopsy, which was done in Louisville by a state medical examiner, found no other contributing cause of death beyond drowning. A toxicology study was also clear.
Sykes had spoken on the phone to a fellow city council member at about 4:30 p.m., the afternoon of her death. She is believed have been in the water for at least two hours prior to being found and pronounced dead at 10:38 p.m.
Marion Police Sgt. Heath Martin, who is the lead officer in the death investigation, said there was absolutely no evidence of foul play, and no further evidence at the scene indicated what might have happened to cause Sykes to accidentally drown.
The 75-year-old Sykes was among three candidates for mayor in the upcoming November election. She had attended a couple of city-related meetings the day of her death and no one saw any indication of her being anything other than her normal energetic self.
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| Local girls win championship |
The event draws hundreds of players and fans to miniature ballparks at the home of Ken and Katie Parker. Despite losing their home to the December tornado, the Parkers were able to host the benefit tournament for the 10th straight year.
The foundation was created as a memorial to the legacy of Jake Hodge, who was the son of local teachers and coaches Denis and Shannon Hodge.
The Wiffle Ball Wonders, a women’s team made up almost exclusively of Crittenden County athletes and alumni, won the National League division championship and itself raised more than $10,000.
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Preschool screening for children ages 3 and 4 will be held from 8:30 a.m., to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 10 by appointment only at Crittenden County Elementary School. Call for an appointment 270-965-2243.
Take a copy of the child’s brith certificate and proof of income to the appointment.
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Chandler, 70, was inducted into the Crittenden County Agriculture Hall of Fame. Chandler raised hogs for several years and developed the county's first confined farrowing operation. Read more about his story in this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press.
Introducing Chandler and pictured with him was local 4-Her and Kentucky Teen Council Representative Kailyn Stokes.
Tonight at the fairgrounds is the Enduro Derby starting at 7 p.m.
Saturday night will be the Demolition Derby starting at 7 p.m., with nine categories.
As a gesture to the community, Marion Tourism Commission has paid for everyone's fee.
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Preschool screening for children ages 3 and 4 will be held from 8:30 a.m., to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 10 by appointment only at Crittenden County Elementary School.
Call for an appointment 270-965-2243.
Take a copy of the child’s brith certificate and proof of income to the
Watch tonight's Marion City Council meeting at either link below:
Crittenden Press You Tube Channel
Crittenden Press Facebook Page
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| Water is running over the spillway at Old City Lake this morning. |
That's a blessing for city leaders and residents who are combating the ongoing water shortage.
At the water plant next to Old City Lake, the rain gauge caught 2.4 inches of precipitation overnight. The downpour filled the lake and even washed away sandbags placed on top of the spillway. Those had been arranged on the top of the dam with hopes of allowing the reservoir to catch additional water. However, the force of so much water in a short period of time washed away the bags.
"In light of recent rainfall in the Marion watershed, the City of Marion will be conducting limited flushing today," said City Administrator Adam Ledford.
The decision to flush water lines was made after reviewing the water now being held in Old City Lake and in Lake George, and after Marion leaders consulted with Kentucky Division of Water specialists.
"The efforts will be focused on improving chlorine levels on the ends of the system so the boil water advisory may be re-evaluated," Ledford said.
For now, however, the boil advisory has not been lifted and the Stage 3 Conservation Order remains in place.
"We continue to express the need to conserve water while following Stage 3 restriction guidelines and the burn ban," Ledford said.
There will also be a temporary hold put on raw water hauling because the old lake continues to run over the spillway.
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| Browning |
In a statement Monday afternoon, following her filing, Browning said:
In light of recent events, I’ve prayerfully decided to run as a write-in candidate for Mayor in November. These last few months have been difficult for all of us. Unbelievable, at times. We need and deserve timely communication. My hope is to provide free flowing communication on all aspects of the city government that affect our lives. We have to continue to move forward with competent, bold and decisive leadership.
Councilwoman Phyllis Sykes, 75, was among three individuals who had met a June deadline to file for the mayoral race. She died unexpectedly last week, leaving Councilman Donnie Arflack and Job Corps instructor Austin Valentine Jr., as the only candidates in a race for mayor during the November general election.
Browning has served six years on the city council. She is a materials buyer and planner at Siemens in Marion.
Stay tuned to The Crittenden Press for further details.
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| Gov. Beshear talks with guardsmen at the bottled water distribution center. |
Gov. Andy Beshear was in town this morning. He visited the former armory where bottled water is being given away and talked with local leaders about the response to the water crisis.
The Crittenden Press will have complete details of his visit and all of the latest news on the water crisis in this week's full edition, which will be on newsstands Wednesday.
