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Get your week started with local news and sports
Monday, March 10, 2025
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Sen. Jason Howell | Legislative Update
At this point in the session, we’ve shifted our focus to hearing a large batch of House bills in committee and on the Senate floor. Just as the House is working through Senate bills, we’re carefully reviewing their legislation to ensure it aligns with the priorities of Kentuckians.
This week also brought a great reminder of why this work matters, as students from across the state visited the Capitol for Kentucky Youth Advocacy Week. It’s always inspiring to see young Kentuckians engage in the legislative process and share their vision for the future.
Below are several bills we passed in the Senate this week that the Kentucky state House of Representatives may now take up.
I was honored to sponsor Senate Bill 237 which removes the physical agility test requirement for individuals seeking peace officer certification in Kentucky if they have prior law enforcement experience in another state and meet specified criteria. This change streamlines the certification process for experienced officers while maintaining professional standards. This reform helps address law enforcement shortages by making it easier for experienced officers from other states to become certified in Kentucky, ensuring agencies can recruit qualified personnel without unnecessary barriers. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and heads to the House for consideration.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 244 which I sponsored will finalize the transition of child support enforcement and administrative hearings from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Attorney General’s Office to ensure these functions are properly integrated. The bill formally establishes the Department of Child Support Services within the Department of Law to manage child support programs and clarifies the role of the Office of Administrative Hearings under the Attorney General’s authority. The bill places the Office of Data Privacy to oversee and protect sensitive information within the department. The bill primarily makes technical changes, such as renaming agencies and aligning statutes with the restructuring approved last session. If approved by the House and SB 244 becomes law, these changes would take effect July 1.
The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 63 honoring cancer patients, survivors, and their families, remembering those who have been lost to cancer, and declaring Thursday, March 6, 2025, as Suits and Sneakers Day in the Senate. Countless families across the commonwealth have been impacted by cancer. My daughter is a survivor of childhood cancer. I am forever grateful to the doctors, nurses, researchers, caregivers, and advocates who work every day to save lives and provide hope for a world free of cancer.
Senate Bill 1 establishes the Kentucky Film Office within the Cabinet for Economic Development to attract more film and television productions to the commonwealth. The office will serve as a central hub for filmmakers and coordinate with local film commissions and tourism agencies to streamline permits, incentives, and workforce development while marketing Kentucky as a premier filming destination. The bill also creates the Kentucky Film Leadership Council, which will oversee tax incentives and set industry
Monument sale through March 31
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Monuments paid in full at time of purchase qualify for this winter discount.
Call (270) 965-4514 to learn more.
Friday, March 7, 2025
Lady Rockets 2 wins from Sweet 16
🏀 Game Night Alert! The Crittenden County Lady Rockets are just one step away from returning to the Girls’ Region 2 Basketball Tournament finals for the second time in three years. They face off against the Christian County Lady Colonels tonight at Lyle Dunbar Gym in Hopkinsville.
🔄 Road to the Semifinals
Crittenden County secured their spot with a 46-39 victory over Union County on Tuesday.
Christian County advanced with a 70-51 win against Madisonville-North Hopkins.
🏆 Team Breakdown
Lady Rockets (22-7) ✨ 3-game winning streak | District 5 champions
Lady Colonels (18-9) ✨ 8 wins in last 9 games | District 8 champions
💪 Key Matchup: The teams met earlier this season, with Christian County narrowly winning 56-49. Lady Rocket head coach Shannon Hodge highlights rebounding and physical play as crucial elements for success tonight.
🏅 History at Stake
Crittenden County was last in the regional title game in 2023 when they finished runner-up to Henderson County (71-53). Crittenden won the region in 2011, its only championship.
Christian County is eyeing its first finals berth since 2011, when they fell to Crittenden County (53-49).
⏰ Tipoff at 7:45 p.m. | 🎧 F&M Bank Pregame Show at 7:30 p.m. on 95.3 The Farm
📺 Can’t make it to the game? Watch it live on NFHS Network!
🔥 Bonus Action: The first semifinal at 6 p.m. features defending champion Henderson County battling Hopkins County Central.
Statewide Tornado Drill Today
Kentucky statewide tornado drill is set to take place today at 9:07 a.m., after being postponed earlier this week due to the threat of actual severe weather.
During the test, weather radios and some mobile phones will display a TOR code alert. Radio and television stations will also broadcast the drill, and first responder organizations will conduct a communications test.
Crittenden and other area counties are aligning their storm siren tests with the statewide drill to ensure systems are functioning properly.
School phones, other services remain out today
UPDATE: Service has been restored to the schools
ORIGINAL POST
Damage to an AT&T fiber line has already created a couple of days without some technology, internet and phone service at Crittenden County Schools.
School officials now say the outage is expected to continue through today (Friday).
"Unfortunately, we anticipate the internet and phone outage will extend throughout the school day tomorrow, Friday, March 7. Please continue to use the contact emails below to contact someone at the schools or district office. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your continued patience," the district said in correspondence with student families on Thursday.
Email addresses of key individuals at the schools are as follows:
CCES:
sarah.riley@crittenden.kyschools.us
rheanda.deboe@crittenden.kyschools.us
julie.champion@crittenden.kyschools.us
CCMS
heidi.hicks@crittenden.kyschools.us
cathy.oliver@crittenden.kyschools.us
CCHS
josh.cook@crittenden.kyschools.us
staci.blackburn@crittenden.kyschools.us
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Salem Springlake hiring for dietary
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Full- and part-time positions are available at
competitive wages.
Apply in person or on indeed.com.
Apply in person or on indeed.com.
First deadline Friday for Ag Investment Program
Farmers in Crittenden County have an opportunity to enhance and diversify their operations through the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP), which is now accepting applications.
Funded by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, CAIP provides cost-share assistance to agricultural producers, helping them invest in various aspects of their farm businesses. The program covers a wide range of agricultural enterprises across 11 investment areas, including large and small livestock, forage, horticulture, timber, technology, energy efficiency, farm infrastructure, water enhancement, marketing, and value-added production.
This year, Crittenden County has been awarded $28,500 in funding. Eligible producers can qualify for a prorated reimbursement of up to $1,000. Farms of all sizes are eligible, but applicants must have a Farm Service Number, which is available from the Farm Service Agency office in Salem. A new requirement this year mandates that all applicants be Kentucky residents, as verified by documentation.
Completed applications will be scored based on responses and values provided by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The first cut-off date for applications is March 7. After that, funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the allocation is exhausted.
For more information, visit the Crittenden County Conservation District office at 118 E. Bellville St. in Marion or call 270-965-3921. Additional details and guidelines are available online at www.kyagr.com/agpolicy.
Ferry has reopened
Cave-in-Rock Ferry has reopened following a temporary closure due to high winds.
It reopened on Thursday morning.
Herron has online auction ending Sunday
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sold during an online auction ending Sunday, March 9.
The home was built in 2020, has 1,200 square feet including two bedrooms, one bath and open concept living room and kitchen.
Visit HerronAuctions.HiBid.com for more information.
The home was built in 2020, has 1,200 square feet including two bedrooms, one bath and open concept living room and kitchen.
Visit HerronAuctions.HiBid.com for more information.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Round 2 offers coupons for future purchases
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$35 – that's the savings offered by Round 2 Boutique
on Main Street in Marion.
Round 2 is located next to Mike & Stoner's Barber
Round 2 sells children's and adult's clothings at oh-so affordable prices.
Round 2 is located next to Mike & Stoner's Barber
Shop on South Main Street.
Round 2 sells children's and adult's clothings at oh-so affordable prices.
Women's conference Saturday in Marion
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on Ky 1668 just west of Marion.
Guest speakers are Pauletta Yarbrough and Jessica Bouland.
To RSVP, contact Amy Quertermous at (270) 969-0381.
Guest speakers are Pauletta Yarbrough and Jessica Bouland.
To RSVP, contact Amy Quertermous at (270) 969-0381.
Windy conditions close ferry today
Wednesday, 3/5/2025
FERRY IS CLOSED
The Cave In Rock Ferry is idle today due to high west winds. High west winds cause turbulent river conditions. The ferry will remain closed until further notice.
Cash consignment auction is Saturday
Acceptance of consignment machinery will be Wednesday, March 5 through Friday, March 7 at the Fairgrounds in Mayfield located at 1007 W. Housman St.
Tractors of all sizes and brands, dozers, backhoes, trucks, implements of every description will be sold on Saturday, March 8.
Call James R. Cash Auction at (270) 623-8466 for more
information.
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
From Lyon County Sheriff Brent White
LYON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MEDIA RELEASE
- On Monday, February 24, 2025, around 9:35am, Sheriff Brent White responded to a non-injury collision involving two commercial vehicles at the intersection of US 62 West and KY 810 South in Suwanee. His investigation revealed a 2003 Kenworth semi-truck and trailer hauling lumber and driven by Andrew R. Coffey (26) of Columbia was West on US 62 when the driver failed to realize a 2021 Chevrolet Express, with a box trailer in tow, driven by Blake J. Mooney (38) of Madisonville, was stopped in traffic West bound on US 62 and waiting to turn onto KY 810 South.
- When Coffey realized the vehicle was stopped and he could not stop his commercial vehicle in time to avoid a collision, he steered left and into the oncoming lane of US 62 before losing control and colliding with the Chevrolet and a guardrail resulting in his load of lumber shifting and spilling onto the highway and off the shoulder of the roadway. No injuries were reported; however, post-crash inspections resulted in numerous citations being issued.
- Coffey was charged with Violation of Part 396 of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations – Inspection/Repair/Maintenance when it was discovered his federal safety inspection proof document had expired in April of 2024. Mooney was charged with Violations of Parts 390, 392, 393, and 396 of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations as it pertained to his company’s DOT number, safety inspection, gross weight registration, no breakaway cable, and parts needed for safe operation. It was also discovered the brake lights and turn signals on Mooney’s trailer were not working at the time of the collision and the equipment on the trailer was inoperable. This was determined to be a contributing factor in the collision. The Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, the Kuttawa Fire Department, and the KYTC Department of Highways assisted Sheriff White at the scene.
- On Sunday, February 23rd, around 2:51am, a Kuttawa resident called 9-1-1 to report an unknown white male had kicked in the front door to the home they shared with 3 other adult family members. When the burglar kicked in the door to the home, it struck an adult female on the interior who had been looking through the peep hole to see who was outside her home. Family members attempted to keep the offender from entering the home any further by pushing against the door. When one family member yelled to another to call 9-1-1, the offender fled the home on foot.
- Deputy Shannon Oliver responded immediately; however, the offender had fled the area in a silver,
Monday, March 3, 2025
Sen. Jason Howell | Legislative Update
From there, the kids explored the state Capitol, participated in a scavenger hunt, played on a static display provided by the Kentucky National Guard, and tested their skills on flight simulators courtesy of the Kentucky Aviation Museum. After enjoying lunch, they were welcomed into the Senate chamber, where they assisted with the final filing of legislation and experienced floor proceedings firsthand.
Military Kids Day is always a special occasion which offers these remarkable young people well-deserved recognition for their sacrifices as part of military families. We hope they leave Frankfort knowing their contributions are valued and, perhaps, that some of them may one day return—not as guests, but as state lawmakers, championing this event for the next generation of military families.
Several bills cleared the Senate in week five.
SB 22 updates licensing and enforcement standards for cosmetologists and estheticians, to improve access to the profession while strengthening oversight. The bill expands testing opportunities for individuals seeking licensure and allows professionals from U.S. territories to obtain reciprocal licenses in Kentucky. It also enhances enforcement by permitting penalties beyond warnings for businesses that knowingly employ unlicensed nail technicians. Additionally, it removes the requirement that the Board of Cosmetology’s executive director be a licensed cosmetologist which broadens the pool of qualified candidates for the role.
SB 57 targets excessive speeding while funding key health care initiatives. It defines "super speeders" as drivers exceeding the speed limit by 25 mph on any highway. Offenders face a $200 fine, with revenues allocated to trauma care (40 percent), rural hospital preservation (20 percent), EMS education (30 percent), and school AEDs (10 percent). Unpaid fines result in license suspension. These measures aim to improve road safety and support critical healthcare services statewide.
SB 60 protects religious freedom by prohibiting government actions substantially burdening an individual’s religious exercise. It defines substantial burdens, including withholding benefits, imposing penalties, or restricting access to programs or facilities. Exceptions are allowed only if the government proves a compelling interest and uses the least restrictive means. Individuals with violated religious rights can seek relief, including damages and legal fees. The bill applies to all government actions, past and future, and waives governmental immunity for violations. A severability clause ensures the law remains effective even if parts are invalidated.
SB 65 nullifies two administrative regulations related to Medicaid services that were found deficient
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Cash consignment March 8
Acceptance of consignment machinery will be Wednesday, March 5 through Friday, March 7 at the Fairgrounds in Mayfield located at 1007 W. Housman St.
Tractors of all sizes and brands, dozers, backhoes, trucks, implements of every description will be sold on Saturday, March 8.
Call James R. Cash Auction at (270) 623-8466 for more
information.
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