School district seeks bus drivers

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The Crittenden County Board of Education his hiring bus drivers.

Transportation positions pay $16.15 per hour, and there are benefits for full-time employees. 

If interested, contact the district at (270) 965-3866 or visit www.crittenden.kyschools.us.

Marion native seeks staircase record

Marion native Jim Wigginton, of Van Buren Township, Mich., climbed the stairs in Columbia Center Tower in Seattle on Sunday, the tallest building in Washington, as part of his goal to set a record for climbing staircases in the tallest building of every state.

His mission is to raise awareness and contributions for Folds of Honor, which provides scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled veterans and first responders. In the last 17 years, Folds of Honor has provided over 53,000 scholarships. He is also raising awareness for the Punya Thyroid Cancer Foundation at the University of Michigan, named for his late wife.

Wigginton, a CCHS graduate, climbed 69 floors in 21 minutes last weekend to win first place in his age group.

There are 34 more states and buildings on his quest, but three will be conquered over the next week. 

Sheppard has tough call to make

Reed Sheppard joined John Wall (2010) and Anthony Davis (2012) as the only Kentucky players ever to be named the United States Basketball Writers Association Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Year.

It was a well deserved honor for the former North Laurel star who had a sensational season that didn’t end the way he wanted when UK lost 80-76 to Oakland in the NCAA Tournament and Sheppard scored only three points on 1-for-5 shooting.

“He had a great year and it was really cool to see what he has accomplished,” Sporting News columnist Mike DeCourcy said. “Hopefully we will see the high school scouting community readjust evaluations so the ability to put the ball in the basket from great distance is valued at the level colleges and NBA value it.  The game is about the shot and he’s a great shooter.”

Sheppard averaged 12.5 points per game but shot an amazing 52.1 percent (75 of 144) from 3-point range. 

“It’s ridiculous he shot over 50 percent from 3. It was ridiculous when he was doing that in January and you just knew it was going to trickle down when conference teams started getting after him but it didn’t,” DeCourcy said. 

“Reed has good size for a point guard and he is not undersized at the two guard. He’s physically strong, has a great basketball background, was a state high school hero and at minimum an A- athlete. Yet he was not a top 20 player in the rankings.”

The 6-3 Sheppard also led UK with 148 assists, the eight most in a single season in UK history. He also

Methodist church hosts March 28 communion

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Marion United Methodist Church is hosting an Easter service Thursday, March 28 to commemorate the lat supper with disciples before Jesus' crucifixion.

Communion will be served during the come-and-go service. The communion table is everyone and will be served between 5-7 p.m., in the church sanctuary located at 112 S. College St., in Marion.

Fire destroys garage, damages car, home

Marion Fire Department and Crittenden County Volunteer Fire Department responded to a blaze today on East Carlisle Street that destroyed a garage and damaged a vehicle and a neighboring home.

The blaze spread from a small garden fire.

Outdoors burning is prohibited from 6am to 6pm at this time of the year.

Clerk offers March timesaver

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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.

SBDM has principal selection training

The Crittenden County High School Site Based Decision-Making Council (SBDM) will meet Monday.

The special-called meeting begins at 3:30 p.m., in Rocket Arena conference room for the purpose of undergoing principal selection training. 

Egg hunt March 30 hosted by MBC

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Marion Baptist Church is hosting its annual Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 30.

Egg hunts will be divided among age groups, with the first hunt beginning at 10 a.m.

All activity will be centered around the soccer fields at Marion City-County Park.

Buntin accepting items for spring consignment

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It's spring consignment time at Buntin Auction Service in Sheridan.

Auctioneer Curt Buntin is accepting consignments for his spring farm machinery and tool auction.

The sale will take place at 9 a.m., April 6.

Contact Buntin about your consignment at (270) 704-0726.

Painting offered in Marion area

Does spring have you in the mood for freshening up the house?

Local painting services offers free estimate.

Call Brad today and get ready for a new look.

Boil Water Order in Fredonia

Boil water order issued for Fredonia after a line was damage near the new solar farm construction on US 641.

First United is Rocket Foundation sponsor

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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.

Can Cats have NCAA Tournament success?

Was Kentucky’s 97-87 loss to Texas A&M in the Southeastern Conference Tournament no big deal going into NCAA Tournament play or was it a major reason for concern?

Former Kentucky All-American Jack Givens worries it exposed UK’s weaknesses again after the Cats flexed their muscle in a road win at Tennessee to close the regular season.

“It just reminds teams of what could be the best way to beat Kentucky,” Givens said.

Sporting News columnist Mike DeCourcy has a little bit different take on the Texas A&M loss.

“The loss shows that Kentucky remains vulnerable on defense, particularly to guards who can both attack the lane and score from the perimeter,” DeCourcy said. “The Wildcats have won too many significant games, particularly lately, to forget what they're capable of achieving. 

“But they'll need to continue to disguise their flaws. It's too late to fix them.”

The biggest flaw for Kentucky has been on defense and that has to be a major concern going into NCAA play. The Cats rank 108th nationally in Ken Pomeroy’s adjusted defensive efficiency. In the last five years, there has not been a team reach the Final Four with a defensive efficiency mark of 100 or higher

“I’m excited about going into this tournament. I am. When you can score the ball, you got a chance. Now, c'mon, let's just guard a little bit. And we did it at Tennessee. Tennessee is one of the best teams in the country. We did it at Auburn. Alabama in the end. So we can do it. It's are you locked into that more than anything else?” Kentucky coach John Calipari said after the loss to Texas A&M.

One also has to remember that Kentucky was not the only ranked team to lose in conference tournament

H&R Block offers free eclipse glasses

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H&R Block is offering free eclipse viewing glasses.

Between March 18 and April 8, three local H&R Block locations – including Main Street in Marion – will be giving away a limited number of safety glasses.

Stop by and get yours. Available while supplies last.

Courthouse shrubs, fixtures, etc., will go

Sundown coming for courthouse

County officials last week okayed a plan to donate shrubbery around the former courthouse to the Phyllis Sykes Reading Garden at Crittenden County Elementary School.

Sykes, a former teacher and city councilwoman, tragically drowned in her backyard pool almost two years ago.

Volunteers plan to dig up the ornamental plants and reuse them at the school.

Additionally, the county has hired Buntin Auction Service to sell furniture, fixtures and any other valuable metals or items from the former courthouse in a public auction tentatively planned for April 20.

The courthouse in the center of town will soon be torn down to make room for a nearly $20 million justice center.

Motor Coach drivers needed

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Drivers are needed for West Tennessee Motor Coach.
The locally-owned company pays $250 per day and offers per diem and health insurance reimbursements 

for full-time drivers. Part-time pay is $200 per day.

West Tennessee Motor Coach provides transportation for school, community and church groups traveling 

for a number of purposes including sporting events, cultural events and more.

Clerk offers March timesaver

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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.

Church seeks nursery attendant

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Marion United Methodist Church is looking for a nursery attendant.

Anyone over age 14 can apply. Pay is $10-$15 per hour depending on experience. Some training is required.

To apply, call or email the church.

Weight reduction on Main Lake bridge

Inspectors this week have lowered the weight limit for a bridge at the east end of Main Lake Road in rural, southern Crittenden County.

The limit is now 3 tons.

The bridge is near the intersection of Main Lake Road and KY 855 South.

Originally a 33-ton bridge, its weight reduction will affact most non-passenger vehicles such as buses, farm equipment and some emergency vehicles.

See next week’s full edition of The Press for further details as we continue to track the repair schedule on this bridge.

Marion Baptist plans egg hunt at park

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Marion Baptist Church is hosting its annual Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 30.

Egg hunts will be divided among age groups, with the first hunt beginning at 10 a.m.

All activity will be centered around the soccer fields at Marion City-County Park.