First snow cancels school for Monday

The area's first measurable snowfall of the year has prompted Crittenden County School District to cancel classes on Monday.

Snowfall totals ranged from one to two inches in the community late Saturday night and into Sunday morning. A number of churches canceled services on Sunday.

The school district issued an announcement about 5:30pm Sunday saying that due to icy side roads and continued freezing temperatures, classes are off to start the week. 

"This will be a true snow day, so stay safe, have fun, and we hope to see our in person learners back in our buildings, and our virtual learners back online, on Tuesday," the school announcement said.

CRP general sign up ends Feb. 12

Agricultural producers and private landowners interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) can sign up for the popular program which began January 4, 2021 and will continue until February 12, 2021.  The competitive program, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes.

This signup for the Conservation Reserve Program gives producers and landowners an opportunity to enroll for the first time or continue their participation for another term,” CED Nina Hunt said.  The program encourages conservation on sensitive lands or low-yielding acres, which provides tremendous benefits for stewardship of our natural resources and wildlife.

Through CRP, farmers and ranchers establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat on

Voter rolls updated following 2020 elections

 State and Local Party Breakdown

• Statewide, Democratic registrants represent 47 percent of the electorate with 1,677,174 registered voters. Democratic registration dropped by 3,400 since Nov. 30, a 0.20 percent decrease. Locally, Democrats comprise 35.9 percent (2,425) of registered Crittenden County voters.
• Statewide, Republican registrants total 1,577,561, or 44 percent of voters. Republicans saw a decrease of 1,051 registered voters, a decline of 0.07 percent from Nov. 30. In Crittenden County, the 3,727 Republican voters are equal to 55.4 percent of total registration.
• In addition, 9 percent of statewide voters are listed under other affiliations, which saw an increase of 2,033 registrants, a 0.62 percent climb. Those voters (582) comprise 8.7 percent of the local voter roll.

  Secretary of State Michael Adams has announced that Kentucky’s electorate declined in December as more voters were taken off the rolls than were added. Likewise, the voter roll in Crittenden County was also cleaned up, says County Clerk Daryl Tabor.

  While 671 new voters registered statewide, another 3,089 voters were removed between November and December of 2020. Of them, 2,625 were deceased voters, 287 nonresident voters, 174 voters who voluntarily de-registered and three others had felony convictions. That meant 2,418 fewer voters on the rolls as of Dec. 31 than there were on Nov. 30, a 0.07 percent decrease.

  In Crittenden County, the number of voters fell from 6,741 to 6,734, a decrease of 0.1 percent.

KSP beefing up patrols for Super Sunday

Kentucky State Police are preparing for the big game by participating in Operation C.A.R.E (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) on Super Bowl Sunday. KSP, along with law enforcement across the country, will have increased visibility on interstates and highways to keep drivers safe.

KSP troopers and officers will put a high emphasis on all traffic enforcement violations, including speeding, failure to wear seat belts, impaired and distracted driving. During this one-day nationwide blitz, troopers across the country will have the same team goal in mind – keeping motorists safe.

“One crash is too many and its important Kentuckians stay safe while they are traveling. We urge people to celebrate at home in lieu of going out on the roads. If you should host a Super Bowl party, have a game plan and designate a sober driver for your guests,” said KSP Spokesperson Sergeant Billy Gregory.

The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety reported that impaired drivers caused 22 crashes that resulted

Underdown presents program on 206-year-old church

Local historian and Crittenden Press columnist Brenda Underdown will present a program at 11 a.m., Sunday at  Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

The program will trace the church’s 209-year history. 

It is open to the public.

Bowtanicals is ready for Valentine's Day

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Make your Valentine have heart eyes with flowers or other pretties from Bowtanicals in Marion or Salem.

If flowers are what you're shopping for, call by Monday, Feb. 8 to secure free delivery in Marion or Salem.

Bowtanicals will wow her with roses or seasonal plants of your choice or choose from a variety of romantic gifts like bath bombs, candles, chocolate-covered strawberries, cookies or candy.

Call either Bowtanicals location today!

20th COVID death confirmed in county

Another COVID-related death has been announced in Crittenden County.

The Pennyrile District Health Department released its latest COVID-19 figures today, which includes the 20th death related to the virus in this county since the pandemic began last spring. There were 13 deaths here in January that have been attributed to the coronavirus, now one this month. 

There have been a dozen new cases of the virus diagnosed in the county over the past two days, bringing its pandemic total to 571. 

Over the seven-day period between Jan. 29 and Feb. 4, there were 23 new cases reported here.

P&H Cattle Co. has your Valentine meal covered

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Premium beef – maybe it's what should be for dinner this Valentine's Day.

P&H Cattle Co. in Eddyville will have the fine cuts of beef available just in time for Valentine's Day.

P&H Cattle Co. has a wide selection of premium beef. Call to reserve your favorite cut today!

P&H Cattle Co.'s meat store is located on 647 W. Dale St., in Eddyville.

Chops helping pay way to state tournament

Crittenden County's Lady Rocket basketball team will be selling grilled pork chop sandwiches at the Farmer Market from 9:30am until lunchtime on Saturday.

The girls are working to raise money to pay for their trip to the All A Classic State Basketball Tournament at Richmond starting Feb. 15. Due the pandemic, the team has not been able to conduct its typical fundraising campaign, so this weekend's sale is particularly important to financing its trip.

Donations will also be accepted. 

Cooking with Extension Agent Janeen Tramble

Crittenden County Extension Service

Cooking with Janeen Tramble, Family/Consumer Science Agent

Marion City Administrator Adam Ledford

Rocket basketball in quarantine

Crittenden County’s boys basketball team will sidelined until Feb. 13 because a player the Rockets encountered on Tuesday during a game at Hopkins Central has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Although both Crittenden County boys’ and girls’ have had to shuffle schedules this season due to opponents being quarantined, this is the first time a Crittenden County High School basketball team has been sidelined due to close-contact protocol. 

Crittenden will lose 3 games over the period it will be sidelined on quarantined. It was not immediately clear whether any of those games will be made up later. Opposing teams affected by cancelations are Graves County and Dawson Springs, twice. A game scheduled for Saturday against Tilghman was already called off because of a COVID issue at the Paducah school, and the same true for one next week against Hopkinsville. 

The Rockets are scheduled to play at Calloway County on Feb. 13.

Local COVID cases up a bit at mid week

Crittenden County reported eight new COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing its seven-day total to 22 cases. That is a bit higher than the seven-day average over the previous week or so.

The county has reported 19 deaths and 567 cases of the virus since the pandemic began. Almost 6.5 percent of the county has been diagnosed as having the virus since April.

Individuals age 70 and over can now call the local health department to schedule a vaccine. 

Debra Bostick-King now preparing taxes

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A familiar name has returned to the tax preparation scene.

Debra Bostick-King, who is well known in Crittenden County in terms of bookkeeping and tax preparation, is now accepting new clients.

If you are looking for someone to help prepare your 2020 tax return, contact King at (618) 287-8999.

Does your internet service stink?

Does your internet stink? 

Is it slow? Too expensive for what you get?

Here is how you can help local leaders improve internet service in Crittenden County. 

TAKE THE ONLINE SPEED TEST

Crittenden and surrounding counties are pushing for residents to participate in two surveys. One is this online version promoted by the State of Kentucky. The other is an access survey that can be done on paper. It is available at various locations in town, including the courthouse, city hall, schools and The Press. 

These surveys will help rural areas qualify for funding and assistance in bringing more powerful, less expensive broadband to homes and businesses. 

Local health department accepting vaccine appointments

Pennyrile District Health Department is now vaccinating for COVID-19 in each of tis five counties, including Crittenden and Livingston.

Individuals age 70 and older can receive an inoculation as vaccine becomes available, Pennyrile Public Health Director Elisha Kite said today in announcement to area media.

"Please call your health department in Caldwell, Crittenden, Lyon, Livingston and Trigg counties to be added to a list for persons 70 and older," Kite said in the announcement. "We will have limited doses for each county.  Please be patient, as we do have times when the phone lines are tied up, or health departments may be closed or short staffed due to conducting COVID vaccine clinics at other locations." 

Phone numbers: 
Crittenden County Health Department (270) 965-5215
Livingston County Health Department (270) 928-2193

Crittenden County Judge-Executive says it is prudent to continue calling if you fail to get through the first time or two. "

"Department personnel are being moved around the five-county area to be able to accomplish vaccinations," Newcom said, which could lead to unmanned phones at particular offices on some days.

Temporary phone outage planned at schools

Beginning at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 4 and continuing until about noon, phone communication with any Crittenden County schools may be intermittent. 

This interruption in phone access to local schools is due to a routine system upgrade. 

Service should be completely restored within a couple of hours. 

The school district issued a statement on Wednesday saying, "During this time, if you need to get in touch with someone at CCES, CCMS, CCHS or Central Office, we encourage you to use our email in this format:  first.last@crittenden. kyschools.us or the Messenger function of any school or district Facebook page. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."

Accident temporarily closes U.S. 60 East

Update: AirEvac has been called to the scene to transport one patient, the driver of a rock truck that rolled over. 

ORIGIANAL POST

U.S. 60 East at the intersection of Ky. 365 near Mattoon is blocked as a result of a rollover accident that occurred around 3:40 p.m.

First Responders, EMS, Crittenden County Rescue Squad and law enforcement are en route and the area should be avoided temporarily.

All safe after bus mechanical mishap

Crittenden County School District officials are praising the quick action of a school bus driver after a mechanical issue this morning caused a bus to be evacuated.

The district released the following statement:

"While in the lineup at Crittenden County Elementary School this morning, Bus 1514 blew a heater hose, resulting in a brief expulsion of fire from the side of the bus. Transportation director Wayne Winters praised driver Tina Newcom for her swift action in evacuating all students from the bus and moving the vehicle to an area away from the school and people. Thanks to her diligence, all students and herself were safe and unharmed from the mechanical failure."

In Crittenden 133 register as organ donors in 2020

Kentucky Circuit Clerks’ Trust For Life is celebrating a successful year of providing hope to communities across the Commonwealth. In 2020, nearly 60,000 names were added to the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry.  Today, over 64 percent of Kentucky residents are registered organ donors.

The continued support of Melissa Guill, Crittenden County Circuit Court Clerk, has made saving the lives of Kentuckians through organ donation possible.

In 2020, Crittenden County registered 133 residents to the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry and raised $900.62 for public education and awareness. This contribution is vital to advocating for community members who are in desperate need of a life-saving organ transplant.

In addition to growing the registry and funding education, Crittenden County supported the Satterwhite Patient Assistance Fund, a grant program that assists Kentucky transplant recipients who have fallen on financially difficult times. Due to the generosity of the Circuit Court Clerks and their communities, 65 organ transplant recipients received a financial grant, relieving some stress during a very difficult year.

“2020 emphasized the value of life. Despite difficult circumstances, Crittenden County has proven that hope is priceless. By registering as an organ donor, you are providing hope to our community,” said Guill.

Despite unique working conditions and limited contact, Crittenden County has proven that dedication to the Trust For Life mission has a ripple effect within their own community. In 2020, the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates, one of Trust For Life’s vital partners, saved over 500 lives through organ donation and 575 tissue donors healed thousands of lives with their gifts. This is a 30 percent increase in lives effected, relative to 2019. The Circuit Court Clerks’ efforts to grow the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry is imperative in ensuring such success.

Join the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry in one of the following ways:

 Online 24/7 at www.RegisterMe.org

On your Apple iPhone, go to your Health App and toggle to “organ donor.”

Decisions now will affect 2022 elections

County Clerk Daryl Tabor empties ballots
from voting machines. New machines are
needed as these begin to age out.

Crittenden County currently has a dozen voting precincts and it's about time to buy new voting machines. They are expensive, to say the least.

There are 5 voting precincts in Marion, 2 in the Frances area and 1 each in Fords Ferry, Sheridan, Tolu, Rosebud and Shady Grove. Could there be fewer in order to save money?

There were 22 precincts in the county as late as November 1953, and 20 until November 1959. The precinct total settled at the current 12 in May 1962.

When pandemic concerns forced consolidation of Crittenden County's voting places and prompted greater opportunities to cast ballots in person ahead of election day, it got folks to thinking. And those thoughts could eventually lead to changes in how we vote. 

Will the legislature do something this secession?

Many political, social and financial issues are at play when it comes to what the next election cycle will look like in Crittenden County. It's not a crystal ball, but get a copy of this week's full edition of The Crittenden Press and you might have a clearer picture of future elections.