An Easter Song

The following poem was written by Ida M. Roberts and published in the March 20, 1913, edition of The Crittenden Record-Press, the former name of The Crittenden Press. It was submitted by Steve Eskew.

I once did view with dread,
The horrors of the tomb;
But now I see for the righteous dead,
The grave has lost its gloom.

Death is a conquered foe,
Then let him do his worst;
Although he lay this body low,
His fetters I shall burst.

And come forth from the grave
At my Redeemer's call,
Example of his power to save
A victor over all.

A wondrous beauty too,
This figure then shall wear,
for when my Lord appears in view,
His image I shall bear.

My robes shall glistening shine
Far whiter than the snow,
My soul and body all divine,
No trace of weakness known.

As I have borne below,
The withering marks of earth;
My glorious presence then shall show,
A form of heavenly birth.

Crowned with immortality,
I then can ever sing;
O grave where is thy victory
O death where is thy sting.

Area death

Joseph Wayne Cole, 67, of Marion died Thursday at Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services in Salem. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Area death

Shelly Marie (Mullins) Curnel, 39, of Salem, Wednesday in Gallatin County, Ill. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Judd opts out of U.S. Senate bid

KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
A Louisville TV station is reporting that it appears that actress Ashley Judd will not be a candidate for U.S. Senate.

WHAS-TV reported on its 5 p.m. newscast and on its website that Judd tweeted Wednesday afternoon that after serious consideration she has decided her time should to be devoted to her family.

"Regretfully, I am currently unable to consider a campaign for Senate," the station said Judd tweeted.

Judd and her husband announced earlier this year that they planned to divorce.

Area death

Dora E. Clark, 80, of Paducah, formerly of Marion, died today at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Area deaths

Emma Katherine (Kemper) Smith Dunkerson, 97, of Burna, died Tuesday at Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services in Salem. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Norman R. Newcom, 70, of Marion, died March 25 at Crittenden Hospital in Marion. Gilbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Area death

Betty Lou Zimmerman, 83, of Fredonia, died Saturday at Salem Springlake Health & Rehab. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Lawmakers reconvene for final 2 days of session

KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Kentucky's state legislators will be back in Frankfort Monday and Tuesday for the final two days of the current legislative session. It's likely the action will run late into the night on both days.

Lawmakers are likely to work on the state's ailing pension system for state and local government retirees.

There may also be a push to approve the so-called Hemp Bill. The bill has been OK'd by the Senate but has not been before the House of Representatives.

Another bill whose future is uncertain involves legislative redistricting. Other topics likely to be covered during the final two days include voting access for soldiers stationed overseas and health care.

State to auction scores of retired vehicles

KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Nearly 175 vehicles, including more than 60 cargo and passenger vans, are being retired from the state motor pool and will be auctioned off Tuesday.

Approximately 100 used tires, not usually offered at auction, will also be sold.

The public auction begins at 10 a.m. at the State Service Garage, 513 Barrett St. in Frankfort.

“Each year the state turns over part of its vehicle inventory,” said Pete McDonald, director, Kentucky Division of Fleet Management. “Many individuals and organizations can benefit from buying a low-cost car, truck or van at the auction.”

This is the first fleet sale of the year. Vehicles range over years, makes and models, from 1995 to 2007. Vehicles have been categorized with a status of either “runners” or “non-runners.” One of the oldest vehicles on the runner list is a 1995 Ford E-350 Club Wagon with 87,178 miles. One of the newer runner status vehicles is a 2006 Ford Expedition with 111,834 miles. Almost 30 vehicles are classified as non-runners to be sold as salvage.

“Over the years, we’ve seen businesspeople, churches, non-profit agencies and many others buy vehicles at our surplus property auctions,” said Danny Ford, director of the Division of Surplus Properties. “Whether you need a farm truck or a van, you may be able to find something suitable and affordable.”

In 2012 the average sale price of running vehicles was $2,886.46.

People interested in the auction may pre-register and inspect the vehicles from 1:30-4 p.m. EDT Monday. In addition, they may register and view the vehicles on the morning of the sale from 8-9:50 a.m. EDT. Questions can be directed to Fleet Management Inventory at (502) 564-9943. More information and a list of vehicles are available online at http://finance.ky.gov/services/surplus/Pages/publicauctions.aspx.

Full payment is due within one hour after the last item is sold. Payment can be made with cash; cashiers, certified, or travelers checks; money order or personal check with proper identification. Any check over $5,000 must be accompanied by a letter of credit from the bank.

Area death

Allie Cordelia Noel, 77, of Hampton, died Thursday at Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services in Salem. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Mae Dickerson Ramage, 99, of Burna, died Thursday at Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services in Salem. Boyd Funeral Directors in Salem is in charge of arrangements.

Area death

Raymond Duffy, 87, of Marion, died Tuesday at his home. Gilbert Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Sinkhole affects traffic on Ky. 902

KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET

UPDATE
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Caldwell County highway maintenance crew is working to repair a sinkhole that formed yesterday, affecting Ky. 902 traffic about a mile west of Fredonia. The crew has placed special fabric across the hole and dumped about 160 tons of rip rap into it. The fabric allows water to go through, but holds soil in place. Engineers expect it will take another 40 tons or more of rock to fill the hole.

Using a long-reach trackhoe, the crew dug down about 35 feet. They then started back-filling the hole. Once it is filled, they will cap the area with soil and gravel.

-   -   -   -

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) has restricted traffic to one lane on Ky. 902 west of Fredonia in Caldwell County due to a sinkhole.

This is on Ky. 902 at mile-point 0.9 west of Fredonia. This is between Mill Bluff Road and West Dycus Avenue, about one mile east of the Caldwell-Crittenden County line.

KyTC have flaggers on site at this time to control traffic through the area. A track hoe is en route for possible repairs. Engineers are still trying to determine the extent of required repairs.

KyTC expects to have a crew working at the site at least until 5 p.m. today.  The roadway may have to be closed at times as they crew goes about their work.

Motorists should avoid the area, if possible.

Ethics panel charges Farmer with 42 violations

Farmer

KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
Former state Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has been charged with 42 counts of ethics violations by the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. The announcement was made Monday afternoon by the commission, Louisville TV station WDRB reported on its website.

Farmer, a one-time U.K. basketball star and former candidate for lieutenant governor, had been criticized for his spending habits while serving two terms as agriculture commissioner.

Last spring, state Auditor Adam Edelen released an audit that was highly critical of Farmer's terms in office. He was criticized for allegedly having agriculture department employees take him hunting, perform work at his Frankfort home, take care of his dog and for spending state money on fancy hotel rooms for the Sweet 16 basketball tourney when his home was a short distance away, the station reported.

Edelen also said Farmer gave his friends jobs and gave himself gifts.

The sanctions that Farmer will face could result in substantial financial penalties. Another hearing will be scheduled for Farmer and his attorney to face the commission and offer a defense against the allegations, WDRB said.

CCHS students heading back from DC trip

Crittenden County High School students have their picture taken
in front of the White House on a recent trip to Washington, D.C.

Our nation’s history came to life for about 90 freshmen and junior students at Crittenden County High School. Social studies teachers Kim Vince and Shannon Hodge and their students are today on their way back from exploring Washington, D.C.

En route to the nation’s capital, students toured such famous landmarks as Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. Also on the itinerary was a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where students had the opportunity to visit President John F. Kennedy’s grave and view the eternal flame that marks the site.  Students also witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown.

Upon arriving in Washington, students visited the Newseum, known as the world’s most interactive museum where galleries and theaters immerse visitors in the world’s greatest news events. Afterward, a guided tour of the District was planned with stops at such iconic sites as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Jefferson Memorial.

Before the trip, Vince said the journey would give students the opportunity to have the cultural experience of being in the nation’s capital and visiting such important sites such as the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Ford’s Theater where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and the newly-unveiled statue of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks.

On their journey back through the Bluegrass State, students also planned to tour Kentucky’s state capital. Included is a tour of the capitol building, Daniel Boone’s memorial at Frankfort Cemetery and a tour of the governor’s mansion.

“A lot of our kids never even make the four-hour drive to see Frankfort. So we wanted to make sure they did since we can take that path home very easily,” Vince said.

National Ag Day: Impact of agriculture broader than money it puts in economy

Agriculture provides more than 30 percent of Kentucky’s economy, but its impact is even greater than that. “If you eat, you are involved in agriculture,” American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman told the 400 or so people gathered Friday morning for the “Our Farm. Your Plate” breakfast at Bowling Green's National Corvette Museum. Stallman said the comment, borrowed from a bumper sticker two decades ago, points to the importance of agriculture. Nationally, more than 2.1 million people are involved in farming endeavors, he said.

For more, visit the Bowling Green Daily News online.

Area deaths

Christine Montgomery Hughes, 86, of Sturgis  died Saturday at Salem Springlake Health & Rehabilitation Center. Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis is in charge of arrangements.

Margaret  S. Towery, 93, of Marion died Saturday at Crittenden County Health and Rehabilitation Center in Marion. Myers Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Peggy Sue Brown McEuen, 79, of Princeton died at her home on Saturday. Morgan's Funeral Home in Princeton is in charge of arrangements.

Schools preparing for new rules governing the restraint or seclusion of unruly students

Kentucky's public school districts are gearing up for a new state regulation that specifies how and when educators can restrain or isolate students who are unruly. The regulation, which went into effect Feb. 1, allows students to be physically restrained — preventing students from moving torso, arms, legs or head — or placed in a secluded area away from classmates only to protect them from hurting themselves or others. It also bans the use of physical restraint or seclusion as student punishment. Students can be restrained for intentionally destroying property. Advocates have been calling for such rules for years.

For the story, visit The Herald Leader online.

Technology spreads bad news too fast for officials, families

While social media and cell phone technology continue to advance, so does the way people communicate and receive information, both good and bad. These days, news of tragic events spreads faster than ever before, often leaving officials and traditional media in the dust. The long-standing practice of waiting until kin has been notified of a death by officials before releasing information is being trampled by text messages and Twitter tweets that are often incomplete, inaccurate or false. For Garrard County Coroner Daryl Hodge, this is making the already difficult task of notifying family members of a death much more complicated, and potentially harmful for those whose lives have just been shattered.

For more, visit The Advocate Messenger online.

Ranking the top 75 NCAA moments in state's history

For the NCAA Tournament, 2013 is the diamond anniversary year. Across the decades, few states have had a more profound impact on March Madness than Kentucky. Out of the 74 NCAA Tournaments before this year, teams from the commonwealth have been represented in 66 of them. There has been at least one Bluegrass State team in every NCAA tourney since 1963. At least one team from our state has won an NCAA tourney game in every season since 1991.

For the full story, visit The Herald Leader online.

Photography fundamentals taught at WKCTC in April

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is offering a five-week class to teach the fundamentals of photography beginning next month.

Class instructor Jim Ethridge will cover topics such as camera types, ISO and exposure settings, composition, lighting, types of photography, and more.

Ethridge owned and operated a portrait/wedding photography business for fifteen years. Photographs by Ethridge have been used in several books including: “Paducah, Kentucky: A Center for Culture and Commerce,” which celebrates the 65th Anniversary of the Paducah Chamber of Commerce and was published by Turner Publishing and “In Your Backyard,” an article in the fall 2001 issue of Nature Photographer Magazine. Ethridge has also won several local photography contests.

Photographic Fundamentals will be taught each Tuesday evening beginning April 2, and ending April 30. The course will be held from 6-8 p.m. in the Emerging Technology Center, room 112. A short field trip is planned for April 23.

The cost for the five classes is $85. Participants are encouraged to bring a camera. A specific type of camera is not required for the