Area deaths

Thelma G. Melton, 91, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at Crittenden Health Systems in Marion. Services will be held Wednesday at Melton Funeral Home in Providence.

Minnie May Lane, 80, of Marion died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 at Regional Medical Center in Madisonville. Services are scheduled for Wednesday at Gilbert Funeral Home.

Donnie Belt, 59, Marion died Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 at his residence. Graveside funeral services are Wednesday in Mapleview Cemetery. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Area death

Alberta G. Wright Tyner, 84, of Tolu died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 at her home. Funeral services will be Tuesday in the chapel of Boyd Funeral Directors.

Bald eagle struck by vehicle rescued

UPDATE: 6:10 p.m., March 1

From Eileen Wicker of Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky, Inc., "She's getting stronger, but weirdly, she is not eating unless she is hand-fed. Then she wolfs it down. But if we just leave the food, she doesn't eat it. Very unusual. She goes in for a recheck at the vet Friday."

Officer Josh Hudson with the Kentucky Department of Fish and
Wildlife secures an injured bald eagle Friday as Crittenden County
Deputy Sheriff Greg Rushing helps home deposit the raptor for rescue.

A mature American bald eagle was rescued late Friday afternoon in northeast Crittenden County after being hit by a vehicle. The injured eagle, with white plumage on its head and tail, was left alongside the highway until officer Josh Hudson with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife was able to respond.

The eagle, the national symbol of the United States, was removed from the scene by Hudson along with the help of Crittenden County Deputy Sheriff Greg Rushing  and taken to Eddyville where the Fish and Wildlife officer awaited a courier from the Raptor Rehabilitation Center of Kentucky in Louisville to pick up the injured bird of prey. There, the bird will be nursed back to health, if possible.

Though addled, the raptor did not appear to have suffered life-threatening injuries. It was able to make its way from the shoulder of the roadway after being struck on Ky. 365 near Sturgis to tall grass about 10 feet off the road. The driver of the vehicle that struck the bird called local authorities as well as Fish and Wildlife after striking the low-flying bird. He was later released.

Rushing stayed with the bird until Hudson arrived in order to help him put the eagle in a box for transport. A blanket was first put over the bird to calm it and also to allow Hudson to corral the fighting raptor as he placed it in the box.

The bald eagle, once listed as endangered, was taken of the threatened list in 2007. Despite, the raptor remains protected by law and to intentionally kill or possess the bird is illegal.

Once rehabilitated, the bird should be released near where it was hit in Crittenden County. It was not clear whether the eagle was a male or female.

PHOTO BY PAUL BEARD

County plans community meetings

Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom is planing four community meetings similar to the one held at the courthouse earlier this year in order to address the county’s financial situation and proposed solutions to fund EMS, senior citizens programs, parks and recreation and other efforts, as well as a potential mandate to provide health insurance for all county employees under Obamacare. An occupational tax has been introduced to help fund these items.

Those meetings are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., on the following dates:

• Tuesday at Mattoon Volunteer Fire Department;
• Thursday at Tolu Community Center;
• March 6 at Shady Grove Volunteer Fire Department; and
• March 8 tentatively at Dycusburg Baptist Church fellowship hall.

These meetings will give residents across the county a chance to weigh in on the issue before the taxing ordinance would be enacted with a second reading, probably at next month’s fiscal court meeting on March 20.

Sen. Ridley to, indeed, keep Crittenden County

LRC PUBLIC INFORMATION 

Sen. Dorsey Ridley (far left) will remain Crittenden County's
senator in Frankfort until 2015 after a Kentucky Supreme Court
ruling Friday upheld 2002 district boundaries ruled used by a
Franklin Circuit judge in January. Also pictured with Ridley during
a visit to Capital Hill Wednesday are (from left) Crittenden County
Judge-Executive Perry Newcom, Marion Mayor Mickey Alexander,
Crittenden County Economic Development Corp. Board Chairman
Terry Bunnell, Crittenden Health Systems CEO Jim Christensen and
Rep. Mike Cherry.

The Kentucky Supreme Court has blocked implementation of the newly drawn boundaries for state legislative districts. In a two-page order issued a few hours after hearing oral arguments in the case Friday morning, the state’s highest court upheld Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd’s ruling that this year’s redistricting was unconstitutional.

The court said districts enacted in 2002 remain in place, meaning Sen. Dorsey Ridley (D-Henderson) will, in fact, remain a Senate District 4 lawmaker until 2015, representing Crittenden, Livingston, Caldwell, Union, Webster and Henderson counties instead of urban Lexington which was called for in redistricting legislation.

For the complete story, visit The Herald Leader online.

Area death

There will be a memorial service next month in Illinois for Dr. Arthur Gene “Art” Kupisch, 70, of Marion who died at his home Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. The service will be at 11:30 a.m., March 4 at Calvary Cemetery in Mattoon, Ill. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Drug trial today in Crittenden Circuit Court

UPDATE: Just before the trial began, the defendant entered an Alford plea, which means he admits there is enough evidence to convict him, but he does not admit guilt. The plea has a similar effect as pleading guilty. He will be formally sentenced on March 8 by Judge Rene Williams. Commonwealth Attorney Zac Greenwell is recommending a total of 10 years and will not oppose shock probation for Brewer.

A Metropolis, Ill., man will stand trial today in Crittenden Circuit Court on felony drug charges stemming from an undercover investigation in 2010.

Willard C. Brewer is charged with complicity possession of methamphetamine, complicity to manufacture meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jury selection began at 8 a.m.

Senate gaming bill killed on floor

A bill to let the people of Kentucky vote on a proposed amendment to the commonwealth's constitution to allow expanded gaming was killed today on the Senate floor. Senate Bill 151, which would have allowed up to seven casinos in Kentucky if the referendum passed, left the Senate State and Local Government Committee Wednesday with bipartisan support.

LRC PUBLIC INFORMATION

Sen. Damon Thayer, a Republican, speaks to reporters Thursday
about Senate Bill 151's failure to reach passage from the Senate floor.
Thayer was a rare bipartisan supporter for placing an expanded gaming
constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

However, it was defeated 21-16 today in a floor vote. It needed seven more votes to pass and move to the House for approval. Of western Kentucky lawmakers, Sens. Dorsey Ridley (D-Henderson) and Joey Pendleton (D-Henderson) voted in favor of SB 151. Sens. Ken Winters (R-Murray) and Bob Leeper (I-Paducah) opposed the measure.

There are still measures in the House addressing Gov. Steve Beshear's proposal for an amendment to all expanded gaming.

For more on the story, visit The Herald Leader online.

KSP unveils Chevy Caprice cruiser

Have you ever wondered how a police agency chooses their police vehicle? The answers vary and obviously depend on the needs of the agency regarding the type of service delivery and geographical terrain that they routinely patrol in. Price, functionality, style, performance, and appearance are also some of the weighted factors taken into consideration.

While the Kentucky State Police utilize several different types of specialty vehicles, arguably none are more recognizable by the citizens of our state than the familiar gray marked cruiser with the blue bar light. Although we have driven the Ford Crown Victoria for many years, 2012 will reveal a somewhat different look. Last year, Ford announced that it would discontinue the Crown Victoria police package and replace it with the new Ford Police Interceptor.

After establishing a committee comprised of troopers, trainers, mechanics and researchers, each of the three police vehicle packages offered by Ford, Chevrolet, and Chrysler were studied over a several month period. Each vehicle was test driven in a variety of conditions on a controlled test track. Although each of the products tested had numerous attributes, it was determined that the Chevrolet Caprice police package would be the choice for purchase in the 2012 calendar year.

For more on the story and photos, visit Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer's blog online.

State fair board chairman, Workman, keeps job

It appears Harold Workman, Kentucky State Fair President and CEO, will get to keep his job a while longer. Workman, who has ties to Crittenden County, had been asked to resign by Gov. Steve Beshear for unspecified reasons. But in a fair board meeting today, members opted to keep Workman on the job.

Workman's current contract expires on June 30 according to WBRB.com.

Paducah postal processing centers gets axed

Kentucky Press News Service


Eight postal service mail processing centers around Kentucky will be closed. In a press release Thursday, the postal service said processing centers in Somerset, Paducah, London, Hazard, Elizabethtown, Bowling Green, Campton and Lexington will close beginning in mid-May. Mail will now be processed at other facilities.



The U.S. Postal service has been fighting massive losses in the billions and looking to close facilities across the nation to stay profitable.

Meanwhile, the American Postal Workers Union is encouraging its members to voice their opposition to the postal service's decision.

"The union is continuing to oppose USPS plans to slash service, eliminate 35,000 jobs, and destroy the mail distribution network," according to a statement on the union's website.

Fifteen jobs from the Paducah plant will be moved to Evansville, which will now process virtually all of Crittenden County's mail.

Area death

Joan Love Thomas, 80, of Marion died at Crittenden Health Systems Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012. Graveside services will be Sunday at Love Cemetery. Boyd Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

Debra Gail Sullenger, 56, of Villa Park, Ill., died Jan. 23. There will be a memorial service Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11:30 a.m., at First Baptist Church in Fredonia.

Some not so happy about new U.S. 641

Gov. Steve Beshear speaks with Joyce Winters Claghorn of Fredonia last Wednesday at the Ed-Tech Center in Marion after a formal dedication of the new, four-lane U.S. 641. Claghorn, a Crittenden County native and sister of state Sen. Ken Winters (R-Murray), is unhappy with the possible path of the second leg of the road from Fredonia to Interstate 69 which could claim her home.

Actual work on the $18.6 million grade and drain construction phase of the first 5.2-mile leg — Marion to Fredonia — began in mid-December in Crayne.

Last week’s “ground-breaking” was simply ceremonial.

For more on the U.S. 641 story, see this week's issue of The Crittenden Press.

Newcom urges broadband survey participation

The Kentucky Office of Broadband Outreach and Development and the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts has launched a new survey as part of Broadband KY initiative to obtain direct input from the public about broadband access and use across the commonwealth.

The survey is part of a rigorous broadband mapping and planning project for Kentucky that will provide comprehensive, current, and accurate information on how Kentuckians use broadband. Surveys will be accepted through March 7.

“I have been trying to find a way to provide internet access for the entire county as I believe that it would greatly enhance our educational opportunities for all our citizens and provide a greater level of business opportunities, said Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom. “Hopefully, this type of survey can add more credibility to the fact that we are in desperate need of access for our area.”

Surveys will be solicited via email, but can be taken by any Kentucky citizen using the website or paper surveys. More than 100,000 businesses, non-profits, health organizations, local governments, and households in Kentucky have received email messages this asking them to participate in the survey.

Anyone can participate by visiting www.broadband.ky.gov.

Area death

Lila D. Williams, 57, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, after a brief battle with cancer. Funeral services are Friday at Gilbert's Funeral Home.

Former Livingston Judge-Executive, Smith, dies

Ralph Smith

Former Livingston County Judge-Executive and Sheriff Ralph Smith, 87, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012.

Smith graduated from Livingston County High School in the class of 1943, and entered into the field of farming and raising cattle – a life-long passion. Even after he entered into Calvert City Convalescent Center, he was aided by his loyal driver/helper to continue to visit his herd of black angus and “count heads.”

Once the state’s youngest sheriff, he retired as the oldest county judge. He was a charter member of the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Association.

Smith’s first term as sheriff was in 1954, with a salary of $400 a month and from that amount he had to hire his own deputy and use his personal vehicle. Before 1985, there was a rule that sheriffs could not succeed themselves, so at the end of his term Smith ran for county judge and won. With only one four-year interruption (1974-78), Smith flip-flopped in the two offices until 1981. He was elected county judge-executive in 1982 and held that position until he retired from office in 1999. In all, he spent 16 years as sheriff and 25 years as the county chief executive.

On Aug. 2, 2002, the Interstate 24 Cumberland River Bridge which connects Lyon and Livingston counties, was renamed and dedicated as Ralph Smith Bridge.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at Smith Funeral Chapel in Smithland.

Area death

Phillip Gordon "Babe" Sutton, 71, of Eddyville, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah. Services are Tuesday at Lakeland Funeral Home Chapel in Eddyville.

Water line work to disrupt traffic on Main Street

Traffic on North Main Street may get frustrating at the end of the month. Marion City Administrator Mark Bryant said extension of the city’s new water main to near Sturgis Road will begin Feb. 27.
Installing the line will take about five weeks Bryant said.

“I don't know if that means every-day flagging,” he said.

Local traffic can be routed through side streets, but large trucks will simply have to wait for clearance to pass.

Area death

Polly Herrin, 80, of Marion died Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah. Funeral services are Monday at Myers Funeral Home.

NRCS offers soil health workshops

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) along with Conservation Partners will hold five soil health workshops next month. Workshops will increase participants' understanding on how soils function and reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers, pesticides and fuel.

"Last year, we held four workshops in Kentucky with great attendance," Karen Woodrich, state conservationist said. "We feel that the health of the resources in the commonwealth starts with the understanding of how our soils function. We want to share this knowledge with our farmers and partners."

Two nearby sessions will be:

• March 8 from 8:30 a.m., to 4 p.m., at the Hopkins County Cooperative Extension Office at 75 Cornwall Drive in Madisonville; and
• March 9 from 8:30 a.m., to 4 p.m., at the Marshall County Cooperative Extension Service at 1933 Mayfield Highway in Benton.

For more information or if you require alternative means of communication, call John E. Graham, NRCS Soil Health Specialist at (859) 224-7438 or e-mail at john.graham@ky.usda.gov.