Winter storm monitored, expected to go north

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet highway engineers on snow duty are continuing to closely monitor the weather forecast this week, says Keith Todd, spokesman for the Kentucky Department of Highways. A major winter storm that will sweep across the central United States is expected to track north of western Kentucky counties with a winter mix that includes freezing rain and up to a foot of snow across Illinois and Indiana.

Kentucky highway crews will be monitoring the track of the winter storm in case the forecast changes. At this time, western Kentucky is expected to get mostly rain followed by light snow. Rain preceding the winter precipitation will prevent pre-treating by most Kentucky highway crews. However, crews will be on alert and prepared to respond once temperatures drop below the freezing mark.

Motorists should closely monitor the weather forecast for changes that may impact travel across the region. Even a small change in the track of this storm could substantially alter the forecast for western Kentucky, Todd said. Motorists who plan to travel cross-country this week, particularly those traveling northward into Illinois and Indiana, should monitor news media as they travel and pay close attention to the localized weather forecast.

Seniors, parents can attend college aid meeting

There will be financial aid representatives at Crittenden County High School from 9 a.m., to 5 p.m., tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 1) to help high school seniors and their parents complete and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Parents may show up at their convenience. Bring your Pin # (www.pin.ed.gov) and all 2010 tax information.

For more information, contact Jeremey Wheeler at 965-9294.

Conrad's Movie Machine has the latest releases

Before you get snowed in, remember to stop by and get a new release from the Conrad's Movie Machine.

Keep up with the very latest releases all the time at The Press Online.

Just click on the Movie Machine logo on the lefthand side of this page. Click here to go there now.

Area deaths

Clarence V. Adams, 79, of Jasper, Ind., died Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center in Jasper. There is a memorial service today at the Christian Church of Jasper. Funeral services are Sunday at Salem Baptist Church. Boyd Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

Lois Chittenden May, 98, of Hampton died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011 at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation Center. The funeral is Saturday at Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem.

Salem develops plan for community park

Salem City Council discussed moving ahead on a Community Park development during its regular monthly meeting last week.

The ambitious plan calls for a three-phase construction project that will cost about $1.8 million. The project has been on the table for quite some time, and council members hope to kickstart development through an application for a Land and Water Conservation grant.

Salem has applied for state and federal grants in the past, but has been denied in recent attempts.

Phase one of the park would be the most expensive, since it will include a community center, commercial building and a parking lot.

Basketball courts and a picnic pavilion are part of phase two. A walking trail that will encircle the park is the major part of phase three. Also in phase three, are plans for tennis courts, a soccer field and additional picnic areas.

Salem Mayor Rell Peck hopes to begin soon excavating the site for phases one and two.

The community park will be located just west of downtown, off U.S. 60 between Salem and the Tambco Convenience Center.

School open 2 hours late today

Crittenden County school will be in session today, but will open 2 hours later than normal. Bus routes will be delayed on the same schedule, 2 hours later.

One man dies in I-24 wreck this morning

Snow-related traffic crashes in Lyon County this morning resulted in one death, and closed part of I-24 for nearly an hour.

A truck driven by Charles Sivells, 46, of Gilbertsville was westbound on I-24 near exit 40 at 7:50 a.m., when he drove across the U.S. 62 overpass, lost control on the snow-covered roadway and struck a bridge rail. The truck went into the median, hit a guardrail and came to rest. Sivells and his passenger, Clinton Sivells, 21, got out of the truck out of concern for their safety, according to state police.

Five minutes later, state police say a truck driven by Sherry Reed, 31, of Eddyville, crossed the same ice covered bridge and lost control. Her truck went into the median striking Charles Sivells. The truck continued forward striking Sivells’ truck and then the guardrail. He was thrown about 20 feet and suffered a broken left leg and other internal injuries. He was taken to Caldwell Hospital, where he later died. Reed was taken to Western Baptist Hospital with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.

New quilt block goes up in Mattoon

The latest, local tourist attraction has gone up on a carport in rural Crittenden County.

Neil Decker, a representative of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, hung the county’s third decorative, wooden quilt block last week on Virginia McDowell’s outbuilding in Mattoon, next to the old school.

Painted quilt blocks started popping up on barns, outbuildings and public facilities a few years ago as a way for Kentucky to promote rural tourism. The idea was inspired by an Ohio artist, who put a painted block on her family's barn in honor of her mother who had been an avid quilter. The idea caught hold in eastern Kentucky then quickly spread across the state as counties sought to draw curious motorists off the beaten paths of four-lane highways.

The state’s agriculture department got involved to help spur the effort forward. Crittenden County’s FFA class has been helping by designing, constructing and painting the quilt blocks.

The quilt block on McDowell’s garage is a “Mariner’s Compass.” The county’s other two quilt blocks are a “Carpenter’s Wheel” at Marion Inn at 2362 U.S. 641 and a “Barn Lot and Trees” at Crittenden Farm Supply at 312 West Gum Street.

McDowell, who is sponsoring the newest block, learned to quilt from her grandmother when she was nine years old. Her husband, son-in-law and grandson were all Navy men, and at one time, she had quilted the Mariner’s Compass design.

The quilt block is painted on a piece of Alucabond just larger than five foot square.

For more about the quilt block project or for an index of quilt blocks hanging on buildings throughout Kentucky, go online to http://www.quiltindex.org.

Snow creating driving hazards this morning

Western Kentucky counties have been blanketed by anywhere from 1 to 7 inches of snow across the region, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, which has had crews out all night clearing roads. The greatest accumulation was in Trigg County, said highway department spokesman Keith Todd. Crittenden County received from 1-2 inches, depending on the area.

Much of the accumulation in the early hours was in the form of wet snow, Todd said, making it fairly easy for crews to plow off of roadways. Crews are working in conservation mode to help maintain salt supplies, so some travel lanes that would otherwise be mostly clear of snow at this hour may still be snow covered.

Motorists should use appropriate caution and allow extra travel time on the morning commute. Basic winter driving rules apply, buckle up, slow down, and allow extra stopping distances.

Fit Camp cancelled today at FBF

Full Body Fitness has cancelled its Fit Camp today due to the weather.

No school today in Crittenden County

There will be no school in Crittenden County today, Wednesday, Jan. 26. This is the eighth day students have missed this year for snow.

Twin Bridges lane restriction Friday

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to restrict northbound traffic to one lane on the US 41 Twin Bridges on Friday.

All northbound traffic will move to the left-hand or passing lane starting about 8:30 a.m. The northbound lane restriction is expected to remain up until approximately 2 p.m.

The northbound lane restriction is to allow maintenance on barge hit detection sensors on the northbound bridge. Motorists should be alert for slowing and merging traffic near the KY 414/Stratman Road/Wolf Hills Road intersection.

The US 41 Twin Bridges, also known as the Bi-State Viet Nam Gold Star Memorial Bridges, are located at US 41 about a mile south of the Kentucky-Indiana State Line. They carry approximately 40,000 vehicles per day across the Ohio River between Henderson and Evansville.

Lady Rockets win region; advance to state

Crittenden County's girls' basketball team beat Lyon County in the Second Region All A Classic championship game Monday night at Rocket Arena. It was the Lady Rockets' fifth regional Class A title in 14 seasons.

The girls will play in the Kentucky All A Classic State Tournament starting Feb. 2 at Richmond.

Stay tuned for highlights and details at the Rocket Basketball blog, click here.

Upward basketball cancelled

Upward Basketball at Marion Baptist Church is cancelled tonight due to snow.

Area deaths

Glenn Eugene Joyce, 61, of Marion died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011 at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. Graveside services are Thursday at Crowell Cemetery. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Larry Pace Doom, 58, of Salem died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011 at his home. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Clifford Dale Krone, 79, of Marion died Monday, Jan. 17, 2011 at Crittenden Hospital. The funeral is Wednesday in Fort Worth, Texas. Myers Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements.

Faculty, staff not required to work today

Originally, Crittenden County Board of Education faculty and staff were going to be required to work a half day today despite students being out for snow. That has changed. Faculty and staff will not have to report today.

Lady Rockets play for championship tonight

Crittenden County's 12-3 Lady Rocket basketball is playing Lyon County (9-4) tonight for the Second Region Class A Tournament championship. The winner advances to the state tournament next week in Richmond.

Rocket Arena is hosting both the girls' and boys' All A Classic regional championships. The girls' title game is at 6 p.m., and the boys' championship, featuring Lyon County and University Heights, will be at 8 p.m., tonight.

Despite the snow, these games are still on schedule for tonight.

Try these fitness programs this winter

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No school today, faculty and staff will report

There will be no school in Crittenden County for students today, Monday, Jan 24.

However, faculty and staff will report at noon for a half day.

Area deaths

Robert Johnson, 84, of Salem,died Sunday, Jan. 23, at Salem Springlake Health of Rehabilitation Center.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time at Boyd Funeral Directors.

James B. Whitworth, 73, of Salem, died Saturday, Jan. 22 at Livingston Hospital.

There will be no services. Boyd Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements