Monday, January 16, 2023

Conservation District seeks to fill board vacancy

Crittenden County Conservation District is seeking persons interested in filling a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors. 

Candidates must reside in Crittenden County and a background in agriculture or conservation is preferred. 

Call 270-965-3921, ext. 3, or drop by the Conservation District office at 118 E. Bellville St., Marion for more information. Deadline to respond is Jan. 31.


Saturday, January 14, 2023

Retirement reception honors former sheriff

A retirement reception for former sheriff Wayne Agent was held Saturday at Marion Baptist Church Family Life Center. 

The come-and-go event celebrated Agent’s long career in law enforcement. Agent got his start as a lawman for the City of Marion before he was elected sheriff in 1988. Agent, who retired on Dec. 31, was the longest serving sheriff in county history.

Memorabilia from Agent’s life and career was on display at Saturday's event. Pictured with Agent is former law enforcement colleague Greg Rushing as they looked over photos and items on display. 

Two-day archery event packs former armory

Youth archers from across the commonwealth packed into the former armory in Marion Friday and Saturday for a regional S3DA shooting competition. 

The tournament was hosted by Marion's Inside Out Archers and attracted 176 shooters and their supporters.

This is the second year for the regional event to be held in Marion. Last year's shoot brought in about 100 archers and turnout was decided lower than normal due to wintry weather in January 2022. 

On Feb. 4, the local archery club will host another statewide shoot.

Veterans Wall will be developed at Rocket Arena

A group of school and community leaders is developing a plan to bring a Veterans Wall to Rocket Arena.

Former U.S. Army Ranger Denis Hodge, who is a longtime teacher and coach at Crittenden County High School, is heading up the committee.

Plans are to create a lasting tribute for veterans who went to school here, grew up in the county or currently reside in the community.

Hodge hopes hundreds of photographs and profiles of local veterans will be  submitted once the project is ready to accept entries for the wall.

“The school doesn’t have any type of permanent display to salute our veterans,” Hodge said. “We think this is an appropriate means and location to recognize their service.”

The meeting room in Rocket Arena will have one wall dedicated to the project. Eventually, the committee will solicit donations to fund the program.

Hodge hopes to hang the first photos on the wall by May 1. 

Friday, January 13, 2023

Three county roads affected by high water

Three Crittenden County roads are affected by rising rivers, creeks and streams. Those with water over the road are all in the eastern part of the county and affected by the Tradewater River or its tributaries. 

Enon Church Road, Cool Springs Road and Providence Road each have water over them, according to the Crittenden County Road Department. 

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Members re-sworn to board of education

Two Crittenden County Board of Education members were re-sworn to office this week during a working session of the local board.

Ryan McDaniel and Eric LaRue took the oath. Both were unopposed in the November General Election and were re-elected to serve on the school board.

The board of education meets monthly in regular session and also has at least one working session each month.

Other members of the five-person board are Chairman Chris Cook, Bill Asbridge and Tim Grau. Their seats were not open for election in 2022.

Find out what's happening in the school district by reading your local newspaper. We will have coverage from this week's meeting in the upcoming issue. 


Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Don't wait for the mail, get The Press by email

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State police looking for missing Harley

Kentucky State Police are asking for the public's help to find a motorcycle missing from Salem.

Police received a call from a Livingston County resident on Dec. 27 reporting that his motorcycle had been stolen. The motorcycle was reportedly stolen from the area of Nelms Lane in Salem between Nov. 27 and Dec. 25.

The motorcycle is described as a 2018 black Harley Davidson Road Glide Special. There was damage to the front faring, front forks, and engine of the motorcycle from a previous collision. The motorcycle has black 12″ Lucky Daves T-Bars, a Screamin’ Eagle heavy breather, a black Saddlemen Step-Up seat with red stitching, and Thunderheader exhaust.

Anyone with information about the theft or whereabouts of this motorcycle is asked to contact KSP Post 1 by calling (270)856-3721. The investigation is ongoing by Trooper Bloodworth

Here's What's in the News This Week...

Marion City Council filled a vacancy Monday.
See this week's newspaper for details.
Lots of news this week in the full edition of The Crittenden Press!

From city council to fiscal court, and what's happening with plans for the new courthouse, this week's newspaper will get you caught up on issues the community is facing in the new year.

In sports, the basketball teams opened play in the All A Classic, and there's a big archery event this weekend. 

Our county's new senator has a column in The Press, some Dean's lists are out for the fall semester and the school district is working on a remarkable plan to celebrate veterans. 

Stay informed by reading the full edition of your community newspaper. 

The Crittenden Press is your primary source of news and information for this community. We’re proud to serve our community and we take great pride in bringing you real news, sports reporting and other information that helps you know what’s going on in town and across the county. Help ensure that real reporting continues in this community by subscribing today. You can subscribe online to the full version of the newspaper for only $2.95 a month. Try our new e-Edition newspaper emailed straight to your inbox every Wednesday. Click here to subscribe.


Copyright 2023

The Crittenden Press

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Livingston man faces multiple theft, burglary charges

In September, Livingston County Sheriff’s Deputy Bobby Beeler began assisting Union County authorities an investigation into some stolen survey equipment from Union County. Deputy Beeler and the Union County authorities were able to identify Warren Luetke, 50, of Hampton as a suspect. When sheriff’s deputies approached Luetke’s residence in Hampton to question him about the matter, Luetke fled from the residence.

This resulted in a manhunt for Luetke that involved multiple law enforcement agencies and lasted several days in and near the Hampton community with Luetke evading capture.

In October of 2022, Warren Luetke was arrested in Clarksville, Tenn., for burglary after shoplifting at a local Walmart. Luetke was then extradited back to Kentucky by the Livingston County Sheriff’s office and initially charged with the theft of the survey equipment and drug charges.

Deputy Beeler continued this investigation which has recently led to several other charges which include the theft of a dump truck, backhoe and pintle hitch trailer from the Livingston County Road Department in 2021. Luetke was also charged with the theft of a side-by-side UTV from an electrical substation in Burna in 2022.  Luetke was recently indicted by the Livingston County Grand Jury for these thefts as well as other charges listed below.

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department is currently working with other agencies in an attempt to recover this property.

Luetke’s charges are as follows: Once count of Receiving Stolen Property $10,000 or more.  One count of Trafficking in a controlled substance first degree 1st offense. One count of Possession of Burglary Tools. One count of Theft By Unlawful Taking Over $10,000 or more/ One count of Theft By Unlawful Taking Auto Over $10,000 or more. One county of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree.

Luetke is lodged in the McCracken County Jail.

VAUGHT: UK target Jackson to play at Mercer in Feb

Why would Cardinal Hayes coach Joe Lods bring a team from New York to Harrodsburg to play one high s

chool game in early February?

“Our best player (Ian Jackson) is getting recruited by coach (John) Calipari. We thought it was an opportunity to play a game and then watch a (Kentucky) game because they are playing that night (against Florida),” said Lods. 

“Kids like to travel. Adults do not want to travel but we have gone to Texas, Arizona and Massachusetts to play. Now we’ll be coming to Kentucky. What can I do when your best players want to travel.”

Cardinal Hayes is part of the Grind Session Thoroughbred Classic at Mercer County High School Feb. 3-5 in Harrodsburg. Cardinal Hayes will play Louisville Moore at 3 p.m. Feb. 4.

Jackson is the No. 2 overall player in the class of 2024 according to the 247Sports Composite and has scholarship offers from Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, Oregon, Arkansas, Connecticut, UCLA, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Pittsburgh, LSU Kansas State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and others.

He was at UK’s Big Blue Madness in October and has also taken official visits to Oregon, LSU and North

Monday, January 9, 2023

School launches security operation when bullet found

Local law enforcement and school personnel launched a security operation today after a .22-caliber bullet was found on the Crittenden County Elementary School campus. 

Below is a statement issued by the school district.

Earlier today, a Crittenden County Elementary School teacher discovered a bullet on the gym floor between class transitions, near a stack of student coats. While no danger or threat was suspected at any time, our School Resource Officer John Shofner, along with Crittenden County Sheriff Evan Head and district and school administrators, immediately launched a search of involved classrooms out of an abundance of caution and safety.  
Additionally, dogs trained in sniffing for ammunition searched the entire school for an extra layer of security. After these measures were taken, and after speaking with students in the involved classrooms, it was determined that no danger or threat was evident and the finding appears to be accidental from a weekend sporting activity.
We are very proud of our students for their behavior and cooperation. As always, our student and staff safety remains our top priority, and we always will take swift action to ensure that. Transparent and accurate communication also is a priority for us, and we appreciate your understanding of the time it takes to correctly and effectively complete safety checks prior to information being shared.
Trained K-9 service dogs will periodically visit all Crittenden County Schools during unannounced visits to further ensure safety in our district.
We wish to thank not only Crittenden County Sheriff Evan Head and SRO John Shofner, but also the Lyon County Sheriff Department for assisting today.

Cardiology clinic opens at Livingston Hospital

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A new cardiology clinic at Livingston Hospital now is accepting patients. 

Scheduling for cardiology visits with Dr. Sajay Bose are accepted by calling (270) 988-4434.

Working alongside Dr. Bose are cardiac nurse practitioners Kristee Shoulders and Stephanie Mundy.

The cardiology clinic sees patients with diagnoses of high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, high cholesterol, chest pain, congestive heart failure and heart disease.

Deer season's final week needs to be good

If Crittenden County wants to beat last year's deer harvest, archers will need to step up their game over the next few days.

The county, which in 2021 suffered through its worst whitetail season in more than a decade, is on pace to do much worse this go round.

Next Monday will be the final chance for hunters to bag a deer. Archery season – the last of the whitetail opportunities – ends Jan. 16 along with bowhunting turkey season and deer crossbow.

So far, Crittenden hunters have checked 2,649 deer, lower than last year’s lackluster harvest of 2,747. 

A year ago, Crittenden did not finish among the top three deer harvest counties in Kentucky for the first time in memory, perhaps ever. The county currently ranks seventh in the state in total harvest.

Hunters here have bagged 1,282 bucks and 1,367 antlerless deer this season. The annual 16-day rifle season was in November. Archery season is the longest. It lasts from September through mid January. 

Crittenden County's 2021 harvest was 8.5% below the previous season and 6% lower than the yearly average this century. It looks like the numbers will be even worse this time.

Friday, January 6, 2023

Here's a budding local stock market genius?

Crittenden County Middle School students have shown a penchant for reading the future and making money.

One seventh-grader, Caleb Mahns, was catalyst for a remarkable showing in a recent stock market contest sponsored by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA).

In this week's full edition of the newspaper, read about his attractive returns and how he solved the market's riddle.


The Crittenden Press is your primary source of news and information for this community. We’re proud to serve our community and we take great pride in bringing you real news, sports reporting and other information that helps you know what’s going on in town and across the county. Help ensure that real reporting continues in this community by subscribing today. You can subscribe online to the full version of the newspaper for only $2.95 a month. Try our new e-Edition newspaper emailed straight to your inbox every Wednesday. Click here to subscribe.


Thursday, January 5, 2023

Yellowstone's Marion Connection

You really shouldn't miss the first newspaper of 2023. 

In addition to the routine news and information in our first edition of the New Year, readers will find the annual memorial list of obituaries from the entire previous year. 

Making big news this week is our front page article that will leave you spellbound by Marion's connection to perhaps America's hottest television series.

Don't miss an issue of The Crittenden Press in 2023. We work hard to keep you informed on community news, information and sports. Over the past two weeks, four weekly newspapers in Kentucky have closed. Help us continue our community work here by subscribing to the online edition or our eEdition that's emailed directly to your inbox.  You can subscribe online to the full version of the newspaper for only $2.95 a month.  Click here to subscribe.

Patching crews working along US 60

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews plans a mobile work zone for pothole patching along US 60 today and tomorrow in Livingston County from Ledbetter to Salem. Motorists should be alert for one-lane traffic with alternating flow controlled by flaggers.  Some delays are possible during the movement and placement of equipment to facilitate the work.

Additional area highway crews will be mounting pothole patching efforts as weather allows over the next week or two.  

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Ferry shuts down for high winds

UPDATE : The ferry resumed operation about 5pm Wednesday. 

ORIGINAL POST
Cave In Rock Ferry closed shortly before 2pm today due to high winds on the Ohio River.
The ferry will resume operation when it's safe to cross the river.


Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Obituary: Vicki Kirk

Vicki Lee Kirk,  59, of Marion passed away Monday, January 2, 2023 at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah.

She was retired from Crittenden Health Systems where she worked as a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 20 years. 

Kirk was a member of Life in Christ Church in Marion and enjoyed crafting and vacationing with her daughter who is a travel nurse. She loved spending time with her family and helping others.

Surviving are her husband of 37 years, Robert Paris Kirk; children, Megan E. Kirk of Marion, Melissa N. Kirk of Marion, Michael P. Kirk of Marion; grandchildren, Anderson Tucker Hardin and Rowan Dale O’Brien both of Marion; and a brother, Jeffrey Blackburn of Marion. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Wanda Blackburn and a brother, James Randall Blackburn

Services will be held at Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 5pm until 8pm and Friday, January 6, 2023 from 9am until service time at 11am. Interment will be at Maple View Cemetery in Marion. A webcast of the funeral services will be available at www.Gilbertfunerals.com.

More than 3 inches of rain washes out culverts

Crittenden County officials say there are currently no roads covered by water this morning after about three inches of rain fell overnight. Precipitation will continue until around noon today, so conditions could change.

Erosion, culvert washouts and some fallen trees met county road crews this morning.

UPDATE: All Livingston County roads previously reported as under water are now clear.