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Crittenden County Schools is looking for bus drivers.
- On Monday, February 17, 2025, at 3:30pm, Sheriff Brent White charged Zackery S. Stephens (38) of Drakesboro with a Muhlenberg District Court warrant charging him with Non-payment of Fines, Fees, or Court Costs associated with a theft conviction. Stephens awaits extradition back to Muhlenberg County.
- On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 6:34pm, Deputy David Carroll responded to a two-vehicle collision on US 62 West in Kuttawa near Days Inn Drive. His investigation revealed a 2020 Jeep Wrangler, driven by Zakary R. Jarrett (26) of Paducah rear-ended a 2016 Ford Fusion, driven by April R. McCraw (38) of Princeton. The collision occurred on a snow-covered roadway in the West bound turn lane of US 62 West. No injuries were reported in the collision.
- On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 9:07pm, Deputy Josh Travis located and arrested Austin L. Wilson (37) of Eddyville at a residence off KY 1055 in Old Eddyville. Wilson was served with a Caldwell District Court bench warrant for failing to report to jail for convictions related to Driving DUI Suspended Licenese-2nd Offense, Ignition Interlock Drivers License Violation, and Failure to Notify DOT of Address Change. Wilson was lodged in the Caldwell County Jail.
- On Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 9:30am, Sheriff Brent White served a criminal complaint on Randy Bradford (40) of Benton, charging him with Flagrant Non-Support out of Calloway District Court. Bradford was located at a Kuttawa business.
- On Sunday, February 23, 2025, around 2:51am, Deputy Shannon Oliver was dispatched to a residential
Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency, and the President approved it to ensure federal resources are available to assist in recovery efforts. First responders, the National Guard, and local emergency management teams continue working tirelessly to conduct water rescues and aid those in need. Reports indicated there were hundreds of water rescues, which saved many lives. Their dedication, and that of local neighbors, in the face of such horrors is commendable, and we are grateful for their service.
In the days and weeks ahead, we must focus on supporting the impacted communities and ensuring they receive the necessary resources. The General Assembly will work closely with state and federal officials to assist in relief efforts, and we urge all Kentuckians to remain vigilant as conditions continue to evolve.
Week four of the 2025 Legislative Session marked the bill filing deadlines for the House and Senate. By the end of the week, the Senate had proposed 267 bills, while the House had introduced 814.
In the upper chamber, the Senate Majority Caucus successfully limited the number of bills each member introduced. For comparison, during the previous 30-day legislative session in 2023, the Senate proposed 282 bills; in 2021, there were 285.
The Senate approved these bills in week four.
I was honored to sponsor SB 28 that targets rural agriculture economic development that is crucial for our rural communities. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and heads to the House for consideration. The bill establishes a new agricultural economic development program within the Department of Agriculture to strengthen Kentucky’s agricultural economy. It creates the Agricultural Economic Development Board to oversee the Agricultural Economic Development Fund, which provides financial support for projects across the state. Importantly, any unspent funds at the end of a fiscal year will carry over and provide long-term support for agriculture initiatives. The program aims to boost agribusiness, create jobs, and promote development in rural areas to keep Kentucky agriculture competitive and adaptable to future challenges. Designated as an emergency measure, this bill will take effect immediately to provide timely support for the state’s agricultural sector.
SB 2 ensures no taxpayer dollars are used for transgender surgeries or hormone therapy for inmates while still protecting access to medically necessary care for conditions like thyroid or hormonal disorders. The bill draws a clear line between essential health care and elective procedures, which prevents state agencies from pushing unauthorized policies behind closed doors.
For nearly three years, an internal memo from the Beshear administration authorized taxpayer-funded
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Friday will mark the fourth straight day students in Crittenden County will be out of school this week for snow.
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Former Salem Mayor Rell Peck died in a house fire early this morning in Salem. His wife was able to escape the blaze.
Peck had served two terms as mayor of Salem.
"I am heartbroken today as we have learned of Rell's passing," said current Salem Mayor Gary Damron, who previously served as mayor pro tem and as a council member under Peck.
"He was a friend, mentor, and someone I looked up to in many ways," Damron added.
The fire broke out just before daylight. No further details were immediately available.
This article (or at least part of it) appeared in the Feb. 20, 2025 full edition of The Crittenden Press. In our haste to meet an early deadline for the newspaper that week, we inadvertently left out part of the article. So, here's a sample of the type of articles you can find in the full edition of the paper, and the secondary reason for posting here is that folks have been calling us wanting the "rest of the story." Our full electronic version has been updated with the entire article.
BY THE CRITTENDEN PRESSMatt Collins, a Marion native and Murray State University graduate, is returning to NBC's Chicago Fire in a new role that spans multiple episodes this season. The 38-year-old actor will appear in episodes 15 and 16, with a potential third episode later in the season.
"I can't talk a lot about it because of spoilers," Collins says of his upcoming role, "but essentially I'm just a regular Joe who's in a car accident, and the person that I hit… Well, it doesn't go well for them."
Collins' journey into acting began at Crittenden County Middle School, where he participated in the speech team. In high school he was part of a production of Shakespeare’s MacBeth. While at Murray State University, he discovered his passion for acting almost by accident.
"I saw an Acting 101 class and thought ‘Sure, it'll be easy, why not,'" he recalls. "Then I got in there and thought 'Okay, this makes sense for me.'"
He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in theater studies.
This isn't Collins's first experience with the Chicago television universe. He previously appeared in episodes of both Chicago Med and Chicago Fire before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the entertainment industry. Living in Chicago, he balances his acting career with work as a leasing agent, which gives him the flexibility to pursue auditions and take acting classes.
Collins has been active in Chicago's theater scene, with his most recent stage role in a play called Southern Gothic. He's taken classes at the renowned Second City, known for its improv training.
"Improv is really, really good on your resume," he notes.
The actor acknowledges the challenges in his field, particularly since the pandemic.
"A lot of the storefront theaters closed because of COVID, so there haven't been as many opportunities," he explains. "The big theaters are still feeling the financial strain, so they've been bringing in bigger name actors from LA and New York. It makes it even tougher, but I just kind of take whatever you can get."
Viewers can catch Collins's upcoming appearances on Chicago Fire later this season on NBC, with the episodes expected to air in the coming weeks. The most episode was No. 12, Collins said.
ticipated in the speech team. In high school he was part of a production of Shakespeare’s MacBeth. While at Murray State University, he discovered his passion for acting almost by accident.
"I saw an Acting 101 class and thought ‘Sure, it'll be easy, why not,'" he recalls. "Then I got in there and thought 'Okay, this makes sense for me.'"
He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in theater studies.
This isn't Collins's first experience with the Chicago television universe. He previously appeared in episodes of both Chicago Med and Chicago Fire before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the entertainment industry. Living in Chicago, he balances his acting career with work as a leasing agent, which gives him the flexibility to pursue auditions and take acting classes.
Collins has been active in Chicago's theater scene, with his most recent stage role in a play called Southern Gothic. He's taken classes at the renowned Second City, known for its improv training.
"Improv is really, really good on your resume," he notes.
The actor acknowledges the challenges in his field, particularly since the pandemic.
"A lot of the storefront theaters closed because of COVID, so there haven't been as many opportunities," he explains. "The big theaters are still feeling the financial strain, so they've been bringing in bigger name actors from LA and New York. It makes it even tougher, but I just kind of take whatever you can get."
Viewers can catch Collins's upcoming appearances on Chicago Fire later this season on NBC, with the episodes expected to air in the coming weeks. The most episode was No. 12, Collins said.
The ferry service notes that it will remain closed until the Ohio River crests and begins to fall to a safe level for operation.
Based on forecasts by the National Water Prediction Service, the river was just over 40 feet at Shawneetown, Ill., this after noon. It is forecast to crest at around 43 feet on Monday, Feb. 24.
Stay tuned to the Cave-In-Rock Ferry's Facebook page for the latest information.
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A significant winter storm is set to impact our region this afternoon with heavy snowfall and dangerous cold to follow. ❄️🌬️
👉 What to Expect:
▪️ 4 to 8 inches of snow for most of the area
▪️ Heavy snowfall at times, making travel hazardous
▪️ Frigid temperatures settling in Wednesday through Friday
⚠️ Travel will be impacted—if you must be on the roads, use extreme caution! Prepare now for bitter cold in the coming days.
Stay safe, stay warm, and stay tuned for updates! #WinterStorm #SnowAlert #StaySafe
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