Friday, May 31, 2024

Walking across ferry for social justice

Rachelle Zola, a 76-year-old woman, embarked on a pilgrimage on April 2 walking from Chicago to Montgomery, Ala., and she will be crossing the Cave In Rock Ferry Sunday afternoon, entering Crittenden County.

She is making the southerly march to bring awareness to social and racial injustice.

Zola invites communities along her route to join in conversation, reflection, and solidarity. 

A life-long advocate, Zola works with children with special needs and their families. She’s captured national attention in the past. In 2021 she garnered recognition for a 40-day hunger strike demanding Congress pass H.R. 40: Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act. 

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Our Graduation Special and More this Week

Country music legend Jeannie Seely gave the
keynote address at this year's graduation. 
The Crittenden Press will publish its annual Graduation Special Section this week with photos of every graduate, special recognitions and text of valedictorian speeches. 

Despite the Monday holiday, your newspaper will be published on time.

This week's community newspaper also takes a look at where Marion is now after a few more million dollars are being earmarked for drinking water. 

In local sports, Rocket baseball was at the regional tournament on Memorial Day and the CCHS track and field team will take several qualifiers to the state tournament Thursday in Lexington.

Our annual Fallen Heroes tribute to Crittenden Countians lost at war will be in this week's full edition.

And... don't forget this weekend's Rock Show at the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Mr. Paint dedicated to excellence

Mr. Paint LLC is transforming the home improvement scene with its comprehensive and high-quality painting services. Known for their meticulous approach and use of top-tier brands like Valspar and Emerald paints, Mr. Paint is rapidly becoming the preferred choice of residents in Marion and surrounding counties.

Mr. Paint offers an impressive range of services such as walls, ceilings, trim and furniture and challenging projects on metal roofs, chimneys and fences. It also offers wood staining, ensuring that both new and old decks receive the perfect finish. Mr. Paint's licensed and insured teams operate multiple crews, guaranteeing efficiency and reliability on every job.


What sets Mr. Paint apart is its systematic and customer-focused process. Each project undergoes rigorous planning and supervision, with final inspections personally conducted by the owner alongside homeowners. This decision to excellence and customer satisfaction is making waves, positioning Mr. Paint as a game-changer in the local home improvement industry.

Get your estimate today by calling (270) 454-4088. You can also visit us at Mr. Paint Homes mrpaint.homes or by clicking the link provided on the button on The Crittenden Press blogspot.




Screenings May 30 at Chapel Hill Head Start

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Chapel Hill Head Start will conduct preschool screenings on Thursday, May 30.

Qualifying students must be three years old on or 
before Aug. 1.

Appointments are accepted by calling (270) 965-1568.



Monday, May 27, 2024

10 Under 40: Public Service - Todd Perryman

 
This spring The Crittenden Press honored 10 of the brightest in their field 
with the 10 Under 40 community recognition program. 

 Today we're celebrating Todd Perryman in the Public Servant Category.

In case you missed it, you can read a feature story about Perryman in the April 25 issue of 
The Crittenden Press. Subscribe.


Thank you to our 10 Under 40 sponsors:

Vaught: Pope's recruiting strategy

ESPN recruiting director/basketball analyst Paul Biancardi likes what he’s seen from new Kentucky coach Mark Pope’s recruiting strategy.

“Every coach recruits to their personal liking. Not every coach goes after one-and-done players. Some are comfortable recruiting, coaching and developing talent,” Biancardi said. “Others want highly recruited players to mix with a returning group and transfers. 

“Every coach loves retaining players but that’s just not the way it is any more. You don’t know if a player is unhappy with his role or if it is NIL but there is no guarantee of retention. That’s why the transfer portal and high school recruiting is so important. Pope is different from (John) Calipari who is different from (Tom) Izzo. Everybody is different.”

Biancardi knows the “market price” for players is escalating due to NIL.

“Players and families can ask for more if they feel they deserve it and it is up to universities to decide how much money to give out. You can lose a player due to NIL or maybe get a player you would not normally get because of NIL,” Biancardi said. “NIL has leveled the playing field to some degree. Blue bloods still recruit off tradition but you still have to be competitive in the NIL world.

“This is a business. Guys who do not show promise and work may not have NIL for a second season. It’s a lot for parents to comprehend when people are offering so much money. That’s why it is important for a recruit to go to the right coach and right program. You should not make a decision just on money but a lot do. It is causing chaos for everyone.”

* * *

Former UK track star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone showed at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix that she was Olympic ready for a dominating win in the 200-meter dash in 22.0 seconds, the second-fastest

County gets grant for poured rubber

Details have not been finalized on a playground upgrade at Marion-Crittenden County Park; however, $75,000 has been secured for its purpose.

As part of Gov. Andy Beshear’s announced $847,878 in grant funds awarded to 23 counties for projects using recycled rubber, Crittenden is getting about half of what it needs to install a poured-in-place rubber base for its new, large playground.

The grant money comes from the Waste Tire Trust Fund, established by the 1998 General Assembly, which receives $2 from the retail sale of each new tire in the state. The fund helps manage the approximately 5 million scrap tires generated in Kentucky each year and promotes the development of markets for recycled tire products. 

“With projects like these, we are creating a new Kentucky,” Gov. Beshear said. “We are backing innovative solutions that support important values of sustainability and concern for the next generation.” 

Another joint project between the Park Board and Tourism and Recreation Commission aims to build a small pavilion inside of the new playground’s perimeter fence. It will be constructed in the next 30 to 60 days and will include electricity.

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Tornado | Storms causing area damage

Down Power Lines in Fredonia

UPDATE 2 | Sunday night 
According to WPSD-TV, the National Weather Service, has confirmed a tornado touched down in northern Lyon County and western Caldwell County about 8:08pm. Based on the television station's weather maps, it appeared the tornado touched down near the West Kentucky Correctional Complex and the Crider community. 

UPDATE | Sunday afternoon 
Power companies have gotten electricity back on for many customers, but a few hundred remain without it as night nears and another storm appears to be headed this way.

ORGINAL POST | Sunday morning
Kenergy and Kentucky Utilities customers are without power due to intense Sunday morning storms.

Kenergy's website shows about 2,500 customers without power in a triangle between Kuttawa, Marion and Princeton. 

Kentucky Utilities' outage map shows an affected area between Marion, Eddyville and Madisonville.

Friday, May 24, 2024

Demolition appears near on old school

The arrival of heavy equipment signals demolition is drawing near of the former Marion Junior High on South College Street in Marion.

A Webster County contractor will raze the structure owned by Tommy Wright. The building has been vacant since it closed in 1980 after completion of  Crittenden County Elementary School.

County government holiday closings

Crittenden County government offices are closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. This closure includes the Road department, Marion Convenience Center and Animal Shelter.  MCC and Animal Shelter will also be closed Saturday.

Area Memorial Day Service Schedule

Multiple Memorial Day Weekend events are being planned for the upcoming national holiday. Following is basic information for those events this weekend in Marion and around the area:

•Blackford Veterans Memorial will host a Memorial Weekend service at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 25. Pastor and veteran David LaNeave will be keynote speaker and former mayor Mickey Alexander will be master of ceremonies. Music and a food truck will be there around 9 a.m.

•Burna American Legion will host a Memorial Weekend service and breakfast at 8 a.m., Sunday, May 26 at its location on US 60.

•American Legion Post 217 will host a Memorial Day Service at 10 a.m., on Monday, May 27 at Mapleview Cemetery.

•Shady Grove Cemetery will host a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m., with lunch to follow at Shady Grove Volunteer Fire Department. District Judge Ben Leonard will be the featured speaker, Lacie Duncan and Kayla Maxfield will provide music and Clay Stevens will play taps.

•Fredonia will host a Memorial Day Service at 1 p.m., which will include a flyover by AirEvac and flag changing ceremony. U.S. Navy veteran Doug Keel will be master of ceremonies and keynote speaker.

Country Music Icon to Speak at CCHS graduation

Country music legend Jeannie Seely and her husband Gene Ward will deliver the commencement address at tonight's Crittenden County High School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony. 

Seely is a Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and record producer from Nashville.

She has developed a tie to this community as producer of rising Marion entertainers Cutter and Cash and The Kentucky Grass. 

The band's Cutter Singleton is among more than 100 seniors who will graduate tonight at Rocket Arena.

Tickets are limited due to capacity of the building. Each senior has 11 tickets to provide their family members. 

Commencement begins at 6pm.




Marion, CLWD gets more water money

Marion and Crittenden-Livingston Water District have received around $4 million to bolster their efforts to provide drinking water security in the city and across the region.

Announcements made yesterday about two community block grants by Gov. Andy Beshear are being met with applause by local leaders.

These recent financial awards bring Marion and Crittenden-Livingston Water District's financial windfall to about $16 million at this point, and insiders say there is more to come to help improve the availability of drinking water.

Get more details in next week's full edition of The Crittenden Press.



Mineral show in Marion June 1-2

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Make plans to attend the 17th Ben E. Clement Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show June 1-2 at Fohs Hall in Marion.

The show features vendor tables at Fohs Hall and free activities for children. On Saturday, June 1, the Fluorescent Mineral Society will fill the Crittenden County Senior Center across the street from the museum will magnificent glowing minerals.

Tours of the museum are available for a fee.

The gift shop at the museum will be open, and there will be hourly drawings for door prize.



Thursday, May 23, 2024

Public hearing on Fohs project Friday

Fohs Hall Inc. and Crittenden County Fiscal Court have agreed to a grant application for a Recreational Trails Program for the walking trails, landscaping and restrooms phase of the Fohs Hall Park Project.  

The proposed walking trail will extend from what’s known as the Hayward House property across from Fohs Hall to behind the nearby Senior Citizens Center. Fohs Hall is applying for a $250,000 gran, 20% of which will be from local funds or  in-kind services.  The project also has the support of Crittenden County Tomorrow and Marion Tourism Commission, Fohs Hall leaders said in a recent news release. 

A public hearing will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, May 24 at Fohs Hall to hear comments on the proposed grant application.

Fohs Hall was recently notified that a grant it applied for last year to build a rotunda on the site had been denied. So it’s regrouping and devoting efforts toward a different part of its longterm plans to develop the property across North Walker Street from the historic cultural arts center.

Weather forecast moves graduation indoors

Crittenden County High School has chosen to move its commencement ceremonies Friday into Rocket Arena based on the forecast of rain.

Graduates have been given 11 tickets for their respective families. 

Building fire code restrictions have prompted that limitation because this will be a large graduating class.

 

Check with Lone Star for building materials

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Lone Star Building Supply in Princeton offers a full lumber yard and sells building supplies for all types of construction.

Musgove Overhead Doors is part of the business, and both divisions offer free quotes.

Lone Star Building Supply is located on U.S. 62 between Princeton and Eddyville. 

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Salem demoliiton underway

The first of four buildings being razed in downtown Salem was torn down and hauled away before 3 p.m., Tuesday.

The buildings are being removed to make way for Cumberland River Homes' construction of a training facility, office space and a cafe.

The buildings are adjacent to the Salem Post Office on the south side of Main Street.

Hearell honored with retirement reception

Donna Hearell (center) was honored Monday, May 20 during her first official day of retirement from Williams, Faughn and Associates. 

Hearell worked at Larry Orr CPA and subsequently Williams, Faughn and Associates in Marion for 40 years.

Pictured from left are Rick Williams, Jesse Rea, Hearell, Michael Faughn, Thomas Riley and Karen Vaughn, a 37-year co-worker of Hearell.