What? A diamond ring on a tine!

Whitetail deer shed their antlers in the late winter and regrow them over summer.

In this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press, find out the story behind a deer antler found in a Crittenden County pine forest with a diamond ring attached. 

Join us in celebrating National Ag Week

Father and son farming team Cody and Van Hunt are making a major investment in a grain leg, large-capacity bin and new drier as their hopes for a strong future for local agriculture revolves around what Van calls a “parlay bet.”

In this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press we take a look at the State of Local Agriculture from a variety of perspectives. 

In our celebration of National Agriculture Week, which begins Sunday, we've interviewed farmers, bankers and suppliers to see what they think about the past, the now and the future of farming.

Also, find out who is the local Agriculture 10 Under 40 honoree as The Press kicks off its second annual recognition of people under 40 years old who are making an impact in their community and on their profession.

Today's newspaper will be on newsstands around noon, but you can have it emailed, mailed or even texted to your phone. 

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 2024

The Crittenden Press

Local traffic should detour I-24

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has completed a traffic configuration change for westbound traffic in the Interstate 24 Tennessee River Bridge work zone near the 29 mile marker.

Westbound traffic now has two-11 ft. lanes.  Eastbound traffic also has two-11 ft. lanes.  The work zone will continue to have a 13 ft.-6 in. maximum height restriction and an 8 ft.-6 in. maximum load width restriction for both directions of travel.

Local commuters who travel this section of I-24 are asked to self-detour via U.S. 62 and KY 453 between Calvert City Exit 27 and Grand Rivers Exit 31 to help reduce the likelihood of delays - particularly during peak travel periods.

Due to the narrowed lanes, motorists should use appropriate caution while traveling through this work zone.  There are no lane changes in the work zone on the bridge deck.

Additionally, the contractor has extended the length of the work zone 200 ft. to create an equipment and employee staging area in the median at the west end of the bridge.

This work zone continues to include a 55 mile-per-hour speed limit, enhanced enforcement, and double

Farmers' most tenured employee retiring

Farmers Bank extended best wishes in retirement to longtime employee Sheryl Watson.

Watson has been employed at Farmers Bank in Marion for 46 years.

Watson, in fact, is the bank's most tenured employee. 

Best wishes in retirement, Sheryl.

First United supporting Rocket Foundation

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First United Bank in Marion is giving back to its community.

During March, the bank will give $20 to the Rocket Foundation for every new account opened at the bank.

Affiliated with Crittenden County Schools, the Rocket Foundation helps pay for dual credit classes for high school students as well as fund industry certifications and testing for students enrolled in trade programs.

Mapleview Cemetery mowing to begin

REMOVE ITEMS BEFORE CUTTING SEASON

Area residents with loved ones buried at Mapleview Cemetery are being alerted that items on the ground in front of monuments will be removed during mowing season.

By Easter, which is March 31, all figurines, flower vases and other items placed on the grass should be removed in advance of mowing season. 

According to the cemetery’s bylaws, only shepherds hooks and concrete benches may be placed on the grass. Any flower arrangements or vases must be placed on monuments or will be removed by mowing contractor.

Mowing expenses at Mapleview Cemetery are $1,700 for each mowing, which is performed every seven to 10 days.

Former Marion Man Working on World Record

This is a news report about Jim Wigginton, formerly of Marion, working on another world record.

Time to spring ahead

Daylight Saving Time officially begins in the wee hours of the morning Sunday. 

You’ll need to move your clocks ahead by one hour before going to bed Saturday night, March 9 in order to meet the formal change at 2 a.m., Sunday. 

Your smartphones will automatically make the move. Daylight Saving Time will continue to be observed until Nov. 3.

Get material quote from Lone Star Building Supply

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Lone Star Building Supply in Princeton offers a full lumber yard and sells building supplies for all types of construction.

Musgove Overhead Doors is part of the business, and both divisions offer free quotes.

Lone Star Building Supply is located on U.S. 62 between Princeton and Eddyville.

Old Kentucky Hayride Saturday at Fohs

Cutter and Cash and The Kentucky Grass present their biannual Old Kentucky Hayride starting at 7 p.m., Saturday at Fohs Hall. 

A music and variety show, the local band uses the event to raise money for Crittenden County Food Bank. 

Cutter and Cash and The Kentucky Grass will be performing for the last time in front of a hometown crowd before they appear on the Grand Ole Opry in April. 

Tickets to the Hayride are available by calling 270-704-5296 or 270-704-2591.

Roe Wafford Road closing early next week

ROAD IS CLOSED WEDNESDAY TOO

Due to repairs, on Monday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 12 and Wednesday. Roe Wafford Road in northern Crittenden County will be closed to through traffic between Mt, Zion Church Road and Turkey Knob Road intersection, and to one-half mile north of the Turkey Knob intersection 

Clerk suggests GoVote.ky.gov

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Now is a good time to register to vote or change personal information such as your address.

If you are not registered to vote in Crittenden County, you can register online at GoVote.ky.gov. 

Other updates to your personal information can be made at the same website. 

If your voting location changes because of redistricting, the Crittenden County Clerk's Office will notify you by mail.

County clerk no longer sells licenses

Crittenden County Clerk's office no longer sells Kentucky hunting and fishing licenses and permits.

March is renewal month for hunting and fishing licenses in the commonwealth.

Hodge's Sports and Apparel on Sturgis Road sells licenses and they can be purchased online at any time by going to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ website at fw.ky.gov

Bridge closed on KY 295 near Dycusburg

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has closed a section of KY 295 at the Lyon-Crittenden County Line between Eddyville and Dycusburg to ensure public safety after engineering inspections identified structural issues on a bridge. The section will be closed to traffic until further notice while engineers determine if the bridge can be repaired or replaced.  

Big News Brewing at Local Hospital

Crittenden Community Hospital will be experiencing some major changes in the coming days.

A new designation will affect in-patient stays, swingbed and other services. 

See this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press for all the details.

Waste Tire Disposal Days

Crittenden County will be accepting waste tires on three straight days beginning Thursday. 

Tire collection will be at the County Road Department next to the County Convenience Center. 

Drop off is from 8 a.m., to 3:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday and from 8 a.m., to noon on Saturday. 

Any Kentucky resident is eligible to participate in this program with the exception of tire retailers, scrap or salvage yards and recycling facilities. 

See further information about what type of tires are not accepted in this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press. 

Fiscal court meets on tax increase

Crittenden County Fiscal Court will meet in special session at 3:30 p.m., Friday at the county office complex to discuss a number of items, including an amendment to the county insurance tax ordinance. 

The county’s budget committee has proposed raising the insurance tax from 2% to 4%.

Clerk's office offers March time-saver

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March is a busy time in the Crittenden County Clerk's Office.

For the convenience individuals who need to renew 

their fleet of commercial or farm vehicles, the clerk's office is offering a time-saving service.

Documents may be dropped off to be processed and a member of the clerk's staff will call for payment when the renewal process is complete.

Cats could have Z for postseason

By Larry Vaught

Kentucky assistant coach Chin Coleman believes that every good team has an X factor who can “completely change the direction of a game” at any given moment

For Kentucky, it might be more of a Z factor with the way freshman Zvonimir Ivisic has started to play more consistently. The 7-2 Croatian had to wait two extra months to be admitted at Kentucky and then spent close to three more months waiting to be cleared by the NCAA to play.

“Z could have a huge impact beyond SEC play. SEC play is brutal and really physical. I think once we get outside of our conference (and in the NCAA Tournament) we will pay different teams with different styles and I think Z will be able to take advantage of that,” Coleman said.

The 225-pound Ivisic has been bullied at times by older, stronger SEC players but in the last two weeks has tried to play more physically and it has paid off. He had 18 points, five rebounds and four blocks against Alabama in 18 minutes. He played 21 minutes in the win at Mississippi State and had two points, four rebounds and three blocks. He came back against Arkansas with 12 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 19 minutes.

“Z is giving them good minutes and making it more difficult take him off the floor,” UK Radio Network analyst Jack Givens said. “He needs to be more aggressive on offense. He knows if makes a play to hurt the team he might have to come out, so I understand some hesitation on his part. But if he gets 20 minutes a game he will have some big games.”

Kentucky coach John Calipari has seen his improvement but continues to stress the need to improve on defense. Against Mississippi State Calipari said he “got thrown to the floor three times” but fought and did block shots.

“The best thing is, if (Ivisic) rolls to the rim, he is big. He catches and reacts quickly. You can throw it to him and he can make the right play,” Calipari said.

Ivisic is UK’s most skilled center. He can handle the ball. He can knock down 3-pointers. He can block

Chamber planning Eclipse Party in April

Marion’s proximity to the path of totality is prompting the Crittenden County Chamber of Commerce to plan a viewing party of the April 8 solar eclipse.

President Shanna West hopes the event will create an influx of people and give Marion businesses a showcase opportunity.

“We have a definite geographic advantage being this close to I-69, being on the very edge of totality and being only one of a handful of Kentucky towns even in totality,” West said.

She said geographically, Marion is the easiest and closest route for nearly all Kentuckians to reach the path of totality.

She thinks there are many people interested in seeing the eclipse who will appreciate seeing it in a small town with small-town activities and avoid additional driving to hectic, larger cities.

The chamber plans to have a viewing party from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday, Aug. 8 and is offering booth space to organizations looking to offer food or other types of sales. She encourages businesses in the community to have special sales as well to attract visitors.

Booth reservations can be made at https://crittcochamber.ticketleap.com/eclipse/.