Crash victims have Crittenden County connection

Two people died and four others were seriously injured in a two-vehicle head-on crash Tuesday afternoon on U.S. 60 at Calendar Flats in Livingston County.

According to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, a 5-year-old boy and a 61-year-old man died from injuries sustained in the collision, which occurred just before 2:30 p.m. east of Ledbetter.

Two additional children and two other adults were airlifted to out-of-state hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not released the names of those involved.

Multiple sources have indicated that several of the occupants involved in the crash have ties to Crittenden County, although officials have not yet released any identifying information.

U.S. 60 was closed for several hours while emergency personnel responded and investigators processed the scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office.

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Agriculture Hall of Fame seeking nominations

Nominations are being accepted for the Crittenden County Agriculture/Rural Leadership Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the county's agricultural community. 

Recipients may be farmers or others who have supported agriculture, including loan officers, government officials, ag-business professionals and farm families. Nominees may be living or deceased. Nomination packets are available at the Crittenden County Extension Office and must be returned by the close of business July 2. 

For more information, call 270-965-5236 or email deanna.brasher@uky.edu. 

Past inductees have been Virgil Cook 2021, Jack Voss 2021, Tommy Chandler 2022, Larry Parish 2023, Wade & Sue Buntin 2024 and Carol Hendrix 2025.

Young Black Bears Roaming Across Kentucky

Kentuckians may be seeing more black bears than usual this summer, and wildlife officials say there's no cause for alarm.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources reports that young male black bears commonly leave their home ranges in eastern Kentucky during late spring and early summer after being displaced by older, dominant males during mating season. These juvenile bears can wander hundreds of miles through unfamiliar territory while searching for food, habitat and potential mates before typically returning to the mountains by fall.

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Bear Program Coordinator John Hast said sightings in neighborhoods, towns and other populated areas are a normal part of this seasonal movement. Young bears are often confused and easily frightened, causing them to move through developed areas before continuing on. Bears can travel 20 miles or more in a single day and have been known to roam far beyond Kentucky's borders.

Officials remind residents never to approach or feed a bear. If a bear poses an immediate threat, people should make loud noises, wave their arms and contact local law enforcement. Homeowners are encouraged to secure garbage, remove pet food from outdoors, clean grills and avoid using bird feeders in areas where bears have been spotted. It is illegal in Kentucky to feed bears or knowingly leave food available to them.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife notes that black bears naturally avoid people and dogs, and serious encounters are extremely rare. More information is available at BearWise.org and through the department's bear resources at fw.ky.gov. Bear sightings may be reported to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549.

Livingston fills both basketball coaching roles

Livingston Central High School has turned to a pair of experienced western Kentucky coaches to lead its basketball programs.

Scott Matlock has been hired as the Cardinals' new boys basketball coach, replacing Matt Hargrove. A Paducah resident, Matlock brings more than two decades of coaching experience and has strong ties to Livingston County, where five of his granddaughters attend school. 

His coaching career includes assistant coaching stints at Paducah Tilghman from 2002-07, Heath High School from 2008-13, McCracken County from 2014-16 and Ballard Memorial from 2016-17 and again from 2022-23. He also served as Ballard Memorial's head baseball coach during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. 

In addition to coaching, Matlock has worked as a high school baseball umpire for 25 years and a basketball official for 12 years, covering the First and Second Regions and western Tennessee.

The Lady Cardinals will be led by Jimmie Holder, who replaces Trent Palmer. 

Holder, a Marshall County native and former standout player for the Marshals, takes over the program after most recently serving as head boys basketball coach at Murray High School. 

Holder graduated from Marshall County in 2004 after setting several school records and later attended Murray State University, where he also served as a student assistant coach under then-head coach Mick Cronin. 

Holder previously coached the Marshall County girls program to a 19-15 record, a 4th District championship and a 1st Region runner-up finish in 2022-23. He also spent three seasons as head boys coach at Ballard Memorial High School and held assistant coaching positions at Trigg County, Murray High School, Wabash Valley College and Kaskaskia College.

Ferry Back to Normal Schedule TUESDAY

Cave-In-Rock Ferry has resolved the temporary staffing issue that prompted a shortened operating schedule. As a result, the ferry will resume its normal operating hours beginning Tuesday, June 23, with service starting at 6 a.m. 

Officials said the temporary schedule is no longer necessary now that the personnel matter has been resolved.

HIGHWAY 60 CLOSED MILE NORTH OF MARION

UPDATE - HIGHWAY IS BACK OPEN

ORIGINAL POST : U.S. 60 East is closed about one mile northeast of Marion after a tractor-trailer hauling tires crashed, leaving the highway impassable. Crittenden County Sheriff Evan Head said the roadway will likely remain closed for an extended period while crews conduct cleanup and recovery operations.

Motorists should seek alternate routes and avoid the area if possible. Drivers are also reminded that the KY 654 bridge east of Mattoon remains closed, making that route unavailable as a bypass between Marion and Mattoon. 

Further updates will be provided as information becomes available. 

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Lyon County Sheriff's Weekly Report

Lyon County Sheriff's Office investigated a series of incidents during the past week, including injury collisions, arrests and a hit-and-run involving a vehicle and boat trailer.

Deputy Josh Travis responded to a single-vehicle collision at about 5:20 p.m. June 11 on U.S. 641 approximately 2.3 miles north of Eddyville. His investigation determined that a 2018 Nissan Versa driven by Aaron C. Hensley, 23, of Princeton, was traveling south when the driver failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway. The vehicle struck a gutter on a shop building and a metal statue, then damaged a parked vehicle at a residence before hitting a mailbox and overturning at least twice before coming to rest on the opposite side of the roadway. Hensley was transported by Lyon County EMS to a local hospital for evaluation after reportedly losing consciousness following the crash. The Eddyville Fire Department and Lyon County EMS assisted at the scene.

At about 12:57 p.m. June 15, Deputy Bobby Beeler investigated a collision on the U.S. 62 Cumberland River bridge near Lake City. The investigation determined that Michael W. Skees, 51, of Fredonia, attempted to pull off the roadway after running out of gas just before reaching the bridge. As he pulled off the roadway, the vehicle nearly overturned on an embankment. Skees was not injured, but deputies determined his driver's license was suspended. He was charged with operating on a suspended or revoked operator's license and was issued a summons to appear in court.

Chief Deputy Sam Adams served a Lyon District Court bench warrant June 17 on Lee Adams, 33, of Kuttawa, for contempt of court in a child support case. Adams remained lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

Deputies were dispatched at about 9:49 p.m. June 17 to a fight in progress at a business on Days Inn Drive in Kuttawa. Upon arrival, deputies detained Todd S. Brummett Jr., 44, of Kuttawa, who was allegedly

Cave-In-Rock Operating on Temporary Shorter Schedule

Beginning Monday, June 22 through Monday, June 29, the Cave-In-Rock Ferry will operate on a temporary 8-hour schedule.

Temporary Operating Hours:
6:00 AM – 2:00 PM Daily

Last Run Times:
• From the Illinois side: 1:40 PM
• From the Kentucky side: 1:50 PM

Normal operating hours will resume on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Operating Hours:
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Last Run Times:
• From the Illinois side: 9:40 PM
• From the Kentucky side: 9:50 PM

This news release was issued by the Cave In Rock Ferry. It also included the following message.

“Please plan your travel accordingly during this time period. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Thank you for choosing the Cave-In-Rock Ferry.”

Editor’s NOTE: This temporary change is not associated with the ongoing ferry contract negotiations.

Clement Mineral Museum is Marion's Gem

Andrea Clement, granddaughter of

museum namesake Ben E. Clement and

“Geology John” show some youngsters

how to make something akin to cave drawings.

MARION, Ky. – Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum is one of Marion’s most unique attractions, housing what is believed to be the world’s largest collection of fluorspar specimens and preserving the history of a mining industry that once made western Kentucky and southern Illinois a global leader.

Earlier this month, the musuem held its annual show, a signature event featuring minerals, gems, jewelry that celebrates the community’s mining heritage.

A new generation of the Clement family is working to elevate the museum to new heights.

Andrea Clement, granddaughter of museum namesake Ben E. Clement, has taken a leadership role at the museum and is spearheading efforts to expand its reach. Her work is already attracting attention.

In May, the Marion Tourism Commission voted to offer up to $25,000 to hire a national consulting and marketing firm to help promote the museum and strengthen its position as a tourism destination.

The investment reflects growing confidence in the museum’s future and the momentum that has developed under Clement’s leadership.

“This place is for anybody,” Clement said during a recent interview inside the museum. 

She said her grandfather and father before her envisioned a museum where anyone from all walks of life could come in and experience the beauty of God’s creation, where anyone could walk in and get a love for learning.

The museum traces its roots to the lifelong passion of Ben E. Clement, a pioneering fluorspar miner, scientist, historian and collector whose fascination with discovery began as a teenager after a sewing

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Frontier Days in Cave-In-Rock this weekend

 

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Frontier Days will return to Cave-In-Rock on Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21, with a full weekend of family entertainment, live music, food, a car show and a patriotic parade celebrating America's 250th anniversary.

Saturday's activities begin at 9 a.m. with gospel music and FFA horseshoe pitching, followed by children's games, fire hose bowling, a dunking booth and free family activities at First Christian Church. The annual car show will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Street, with awards presented at 2 p.m. A free ice cream social honoring Ramona Douglas and the late John Douglas will be held at 3:15 p.m., followed by the Frontier Days Parade at 3:30 p.m. The day concludes with bingo at 5 p.m. and live music by Crossroads from 5 to 9 p.m.

Sunday's activities include a riverfront worship service at 11 a.m. hosted by First Christian Church of Cave-In-Rock, with Minister Brandon McCain delivering the message. Food vendors will be available throughout the weekend, offering barbecue, carnival favorites, hamburgers, brats, Mexican food and sweets. Organizers encourage visitors to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the festivities along the Cave-In-Rock riverfront.

For more information, listen to our Monday podcast at The Press Online.

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The remarkable story of the Tolu Fluorite Statue

One of Crittenden County's most intriguing archaeological discoveries is the famed Tolu Fluorite Statue, a prehistoric Native American carving found near Tolu in 1954.

Believed to date to the Mississippian culture nearly 1,000 years ago, the figure is considered one of the most detailed and realistic fluorite carvings ever discovered and remains one of the most significant artifacts associated with southern Illinois and western Kentucky.

This week's edition of The Crittenden Press explores the statue's discovery, its unique craftsmanship, its mysterious symbolism and the enduring legacy of one of the county's most fascinating historical treasures.

Eat up for US 641 Yard Sale

 

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City council meets tonight in Marion

MARION, Ky. – The Marion City Council will meet tonight (Monday) at 5 p.m., at Marion City Hall with a relatively full agenda that includes surplus property, city lakes regulations, equipment purchases and the proposed city logo.

Council members are expected to consider a resolution declaring city-owned property as surplus, hear the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the city's fishing regulations at city lakes, discuss the purchase of a mini excavator and review the city's logo. Also on the agenda are second readings of the city's 2026-27 budget ordinance and an ordinance updating the pay plan for classified employees and non-elected officials, along with consideration of bids for the Clearwell Tank Rehabilitation Project and the sale of surplus property. Department reports and public comments will also be heard. 

Livingston Board of Ed meeting

SMITHLAND — The Livingston County Board of Education recognized two district administrators for their leadership, discussed the possibility of providing free meals for employees and awarded Superintendent Amy Ramage exemplary marks during its regular monthly meeting June 8.

Board Chair David Kitchens called the meeting to order with all members present.

Before regular business began, Ramage presented the district's June LiveRED Staff Award to Instructional Supervisors Jennifer Gosselin and Kristy Nelson for their service to Livingston County Schools.

Ramage praised Gosselin for her work as instructional supervisor, gifted and talented coordinator and district assessment coordinator, noting her commitment to instructional excellence and student achievement. Nelson was recognized for her leadership as instructional supervisor, child nutrition director and public relations director, with Ramage citing her innovation, creativity and efforts to secure grants and strengthen district programs.

Following approval of consent agenda items, Ramage informed the board that a special called meeting

Lyon County Sheriff's Activity

Lyon County Sheriff's Office reported multiple arrests over the past week, including domestic violence, DUI, theft and weapons-related cases.

On June 7, deputies and a Kentucky State Police trooper responded to a reckless driving complaint involving a suspected rolling domestic dispute on U.S. 62 East near U.S. 641. Authorities arrested Elizabeth A. Jones, 53, of Sedalia, charging her with fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle. Passenger Anthony J. Roberts, 39, of Paducah, was also arrested on a fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) charge. Both were lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

Deputies responded June 9 to a disturbance on Valley Drive, where Trenton D. Riley, 51, of Eddyville, was arrested on a menacing charge after allegedly threatening family members with a multi-tool knife while intoxicated. The sheriff's office said Riley was already on bond from a March arrest at the same location and additional charges are pending.

Sheriff Brent White arrested Meagan N. Edwards, 41, of Eddyville, on June 11 after observing her driving on U.S. 62 East. Edwards was charged with second-offense driving on a DUI-suspended license and lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.

Also June 11, deputies served a Laurel District Court bench warrant on Heather R. Huskey, 27, of

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