By DARYL K. TABORMANAGING EDITOR

While one western Kentucky countyinvestigates a blaze that destroyed its25-year-old courthouse and many of itsrecords, Critenden County’s nearlyhalf-century-old center of governmentremains without fire protection.

Kentucky State Police have deter-mined arson was the cause of a fire thatgutted the Carlisle County courthouseDec. 26, but no one had been charged

for the crime at press time.Meantime in Marion, vital county

documents and the courthouse itselfhave little protection from any potentialfire. Opened in 1961, the concrete blockand brick building has no fire alarm,sprinklers or fire suppression system ofany kind, according to Judge-ExecutiveFred Brown. There is also no fireproofvault for storage of legal or historicaldocuments or other essential items.

“That’s what worries me,” said

County Clerk Carolyn Byford, whoseoffice maintains the bulk of the coun-ty’s legal and historic documents.

However, Brown said his office backsup computer files daily on pocket-sizedmemory sticks that are taken out of thebuilding. Those files include payroll andother electronic documents.

Brown also said case evidence col-lected by the sheriff’s department istypically stored at Marion City Hall,which has alarms and fire-suppression

devices. Those fire-prevention methodsare state-of-the-art in the new building,said City Administrator Mark Bryant.Sprinklers and fire alarms wereinstalled during construction, as well asa fireproof vault for records.

“That thing is 100-percent fireproof,”Bryant assured.

Byford is in the process of applyingfor grants to transfer the last of the

Highway fatalities down across Post 2More than 850 people were killed on

Kentucky highways during 2007, with45 – three fewer than the year before– of those occurring in the seven-county Kentucky State Police Post 2area, according to Trooper Stu Recke.Five of those fatalities were inCrittenden County.In responding to accidents last year,

Donnie Arflack of Crittenden CountyRescue Squad reported 12 responsesand three EMS assists (getting patientfrom remote location) for a total of 172hours. Also, an additional 173 hours oftraining for the year were undertakenby rescue squad volunteers.

Marion’s VFW Post begins bingo nightThe Marion VFW post on College

Street will host bingo beginning at6:30 p.m., Monday. All money raisedwill be donated to charitable work ofthe veterans group.

Smoke-free Illinois begins in new yearThe Land of Lincoln has become a

little less smoker-friendly inthe new year.

The Smoke-FreeIllinois Act bans smok-ing in bars, restau-rants and other publicworkplaces anywhere

in the state. The lawwent into effect at the

stroke of midnight Tuesday.Smokers who break the law could be

fined from $100 to $250, while busi-nesses that break the law again andagain could be fined at least $2,500.

State legislatureunder way Tuesday The 60-day session of the Kentucky

General Assembly begins Tuesday,and next week, The Crittenden Presswill take a look at some of the issuesas related to the county. Sen. DorseyRidley and Rep. Mike Cherry sharetheir outlook on the session, which willinclude tackling a new two-year bud-get and possible casino gamblingamendment. The Press will continueto follow the legislature throughout thesession. Meantime, KET will offer full-day live coverage online, selected livecoverage via digital broadcast and anightly highlights program on KET1each day of the session.

Ledbetter bridgeweight limits drop Weight restrictions on the U.S. 60

Tennessee River bridge in Ledbetterremain lowered to 28 tons, accordingto Keith Todd, public information officerwith the Transportation Cabinet.Also known as the George Rogers

Clark Memorial Bridge, weight limitswere lowered from 35 tons late lastmonth while the aging structure wasreinforced. While the work is done, itcould be the end of the month beforeinspections allow a return to 35 tons.

75 CENTSA home-owned newspaper since 1879

VOLUME 128, NUMBER 26 - 14 PAGES

TheCrittenden PressW W W. T H E - P R E S S. C O M

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2007©MMVIIIPrinted in Marion, Ky., on recycled paper with soy inkUSPS 138-260 • MARION, KY 42064

Remembering those we lost in 2007 • 2B

WeatherReported by UK Ag Weather Service as of Wednesday at Princeton,online at wwwagwx.ca.uky.edu.

ForecastTHURSDAY FRIDAY

6 am Mostly clear, 12° Mostly clear, 21°Noon Mostly clear, 28° Mostly clear, 40°6 pm Clear, 27° Cloudy, 41°9 pm Clear, 24° Partly cloudy, 39°

Precipitation reportLast 7 days .......0.42 For 2007 ........47.92Last 30 days ...10.03 Deviation.........-3.21

Newsprint is a renewableresource. Recycling bins arelocated at the disposal centeron U.S. 60 east of Marion.

Contents ©2008, The Crittenden Press, Inc.

OnlineVisit the-press.com24-7 for updates on yourlocal and breaking news, including full-colorvideo and slideshows of various event. Sendnews tips to pressnews@the-press.com.

By CHRIS EVANSPRESS EDITOR

Right now the possibilitiesappear endless for Xtreme Tracker.

The maker of a cellular-linked,Web-based GPS tracking device forheavy equipment will begin manu-facturing operations in Marionwithin in a few months.

The company, located at the for-mer Tyco building which is nowTyler Manufacturing in the indus-trial park, will hire several people inthe coming year. Its presidentJeremy Breedlove, 31, of Eddyvilleanticipates $25 million in salesduring the first year.

Xtreme Tracker has developedone model to date – the XT1 –which is an electronic device thatcan be mounted on the dash orother surface of a piece of equip-ment such as bulldozer, loader,trackhoe or tractor. Xtreme Trackertakes information from themachine and sends it to anInternet-based data center whichprovides maintenance and securityinformation to the owner of theequipmenet.

A radio-frequency identificationcard, which looks much like a hotelkey card, will virtually replace theignition system for such equip-ment. By using the cards or a 10-digit code, the operator will be ableto crank the machine. Data is sentfrom the XT1 to the company Website where owners can monitor theusage of their equipment and eventrack its location via global posi-tioning satellites.

Xtreme Tracker officials hosteda product-launching meeting at theMarion Ed-Tech Center the weekbefore Christmas. Plans regardingproduction of the device were laidout by Breedlove and many of thecompany's partners, which includePar 4 Plastics and TylerManufacturing – two local manu-facturers. Par 4 and Tyler will be inon the plastic molding of the hous-ing and final assembly of the unit.The two Marion companies werealso involved in the initial develop-ment of the device.

Between new hires at Xtreme

Tracker and Tyler Manufacturing,there will be about 40 jobs createdover the next year.

Job applications will be acceptedat a later date for various positions.The company will make anannouncement in a few weeksregarding how and where applica-tion may be made.

Google, Siemens, nPhase/QUALLCOMM, AT&T and GenieIndustries are among the otherpartners on the project. It has beena highly technical process, requir-ing many of the brightest engineersin the country to develop the XT1.

Prototypes of the device havebeen tested in the field for the pastseveral months in Ohio,Pennsylvania, West Virginia, St.Louis and Eddyville. The companyis gearing up for a pre-productionrun of the units which will help ittroubleshoot and fine-tune thedevice before full production beginsthis spring.

In addition to the manufacturingand final assembly of the XT1,sales and data monitoring serviceswill be handled from the Marion

headquarters. Round-the-clockmonitoring will be conducted inMarion for the anticipated thou-sands of units that will be sold thefirst year alone.

Breedlove said the device willsell for about $1,250 per unit andthere will be a monthly connectionfee, much like the subscription forcell phone service. The XT1 hasvarious applications for the heavyequipment owner or rental compa-ny, but among its most redeemingvalues will be its security features.

If a piece of equipment fittedwith an Xtreme Tracker device isstolen, the unit sends out an alertand the equipment can be trackedvia GPS. If the XT1 is disabled ortampered with, it stores vital infor-mation in its memory board whichcan be retrieved at a later time.Also, if the XT1 is disabled or tam-pered with the equipment will notstart.

Breedlove said that $3.2 billionworth of equipment is stolen eachyear in the United States, making

To the Xtreme

PHOTO BY CHRIS EVANSJeremy Breedlove is president and CEO of Xtreme Tracker Inc., a company now operating in the Tyler Manufacturingplant (former Tyco building). Xtreme Tracker and Tyler Manufacturing will ramp up to hire about 40 employees with-in the next year. Below, Joe McDaniel, president of Par 4 Plastics, and Kris Carlson, chief information officer forXtreme Tracker, are among several local individuals who have been instrumental in the development of the XT1.

City Hall fire-ready, courthouse not

Innovative use of technologylaunches new Marion company

See XTREME/page 3A

See FIRE/page 3A

Iraq warhomefronttop newsBy DARYL K. TABORMANAGING EDITOR

From the war in Iraq to a deadly diseaseamong the whitetailed deer population, ourtop 10 news events from 2007 featuredheroes and legends, openings and closingsand one hot, dry summer.

1While it marked the country’s fourth yearof fighting a war in Iraq and an ongoing

second deployment for Marion’s KentuckyArmy National Guard unit, last year broughthome the best and worst of battle.

The news of an extended deployment inthe Middle East was hard to take for thefriends and families of the 44 soldiers whoserved with B Company, 2nd Battalion,123rd Armor. It became more difficult whenon March 19 two of those soldiers wereinjured, one critically, by aroadside bomb.

The entire unit was wel-comed home in July by morethan 500 people gathered atthe Carson DavidsonNational Guard Armory, butthey would not forget thoseinjured and a Leitchfield, Ky.,native, Sgt. Thomas W.Clemons, who died of a heartattack while in Iraq.

Spec. Chase Matthews ofDycusburg and Sgt.Jonathan McMackin, aMarion native, as well as aMinnesota soldier runningconvoy protection with thelocal unit, all sufferedwounds from the Marchattack.

Matthews would lose aportion of both legs andnumerous other injuries, including a badlydamaged left arm. The soldier underwentmany surgeries and continues rehab atWalter Reed Army Medical Center inWashington, D.C., but returned home for avisit the first time in August to a huge wel-come home and 23rd birthday party.

McMackin suffered a broken leg thatrequired a lengthy recovery. But, inNovember during an official military recogni-tion of the Guard unit’s effort in Iraq,McMackin received a Bronze Star for hisefforts to save his fellow soldiers while fight-ing off insurgents in the March 19 attack.

The unit returned to duty after a three-month layoff from training, and continuestransformation from a tank unit to a detach-ment of A Company, 206th EngineerBattalion in Leitchfield.

2Weather woes came in as the No. 2entry on the top 10 list.

From a spring freeze to the hottest Augustever for Crittenden County, Mother Naturebattered farmers and pocket books at thegrocery store.

Farmers had to cope with the one-twopunch of a spring hay harvest lost to a hardApril freeze followed by one of the driest,hottest summers on record. Keeping live-stock, which number twice the human pop-ulation of Crittenden County, fed andwatered became an exercise in futility. Tosurvive, farmers sold off record numbers ofcattle at local livestock markets.

The pinch was felt at the grocery, too, ascrops of seasonal fruits and vegetables with-ered in the summer heat that gripped muchof the Southeast. The effects on meat andproduce prices could linger for years,according to some economic forecasts.

Locally, August daily temperatures aver-aged 83.7 degrees, almost 2 degrees warmerthan the next hottest August – 1980.

3The $7.7 million construction of a newcounty jail was the costliest venture to

10TOPstories of 2007

See NEWS/page 8A

Matthews

McMackin

ThePressNews&Views 2AThursday, January 3, 2008

The Crittenden PressUSPS 138-260

125 E. Bellville St. • P.O. Box 191Marion, KY 42064-0191 • 270.965.3191

Open weekdays from 8 a.m., to 5 p.m.www.the-press.com • pressnews@the-press.com

Editor and Publisher Chris EvansOperations Manager Gina Brown

Managing Editor Daryl K. TaborAdvertising Manager Marty KaresPressroom Manager Ken Sharp

Graphic Design Brian HuntSports Writer Chris HardestyReceptionist Lee Ann Miniard

Pressroom and Delivery Faye Conger, Missy Myers and Carolyn Cannon

Published every Thursday. Periodicals class postage paid inMarion, KY 42064. SUBSCRIPTION rates in Crittenden, Livingston,Lyon, Caldwell, Webster and Union counties are $30 per year; else-where in Kentucky are $35 (includes $12.50 postage fee); and out-of-state subscriptions are $45. Address all mail, including subscrip-tion requests, changes of address, Form 3579 and letters, to P.O.Box 191, Marion, KY 42064. The management of this newspaperreserves the right to reject any advertisement at its sole discretion.

Firefighters worthy of better treatment

(Editor’s note: The followingletter is in referecne to a housefire Dec. 18, 2007, onAdamson Lane just north ofMarion.)To the editor:

I’d like to state some factsabout our county fire depart-ments.

All local firemen are volun-teers. They must attend class-es, sponsor fundraisers tokeep the local departmentsrunning. They not onlyrespond to fires, they respondto other disasters, leavingtheir own homes and families.

Ninety-nine percent of thevolunteers have full-time jobsand potentially risk their livesevery time they are called out.

The equipment does notalways work properly. Being arural county, sometimes thesevolunteers take a minute ortwo to get to the fire, butwhen the pagers sound, thesevolunteers drop everythingand run.

They first must get to the

fire station, remove the equip-ment from the station anddrive to the scene before theycan begin firefighting.

On Dec. 18, David Travis, adisabled coal miner, picked upthe tanker truck and wentdirectly to the fire scene. JodyHerrin – my son who worksthird shift at Three RiversQuarry, works another jobcattle farming and is marriedwith two small children –responded in his personalvehicle, coming directly from

the cattle field, leaving hisfeeding unfinished. Uponarrival, both experienced acomplication with the pumpin the truck. Working furious-ly they soon got it started.

I understand the home-owner’s state of mind. I expe-rienced this situation myselfmany years ago. My husbandand myself were called backhome with our two-year-old(Jody) in tow and me preg-nant with our second child,just before Christmas, to find

our home in flames. Just asthey did on (Dec. 18), the vol-unteers did everything in theirpower to save our home butwere unable to overcome thefire.

Neither, I nor my husbandscreamed obscenities at thepeople trying to help us. Wedidn’t berate them, nor tellthem how ignorant they were.This wasn’t the case (Dec. 18).This is not the first time thathomeowners or members oftheir families have abused thevolunteers.

The article in The Presspointed out that there was aproblem with the pumper.This problem was compound-ed by the individual who con-stantly berated the firemenand instead of being gratefuland staying out of the way,made their job even more dif-ficult.

So the next time you hearabout or experience a fire ordisaster, remember what hasgone on behind the scenes inorder for help to be available,voluntarily.

Diana HerrinMarion, Ky.

The Press Letters to the Editor

The Crittenden Press acceptsand encourages letters to theeditor on a variety of subjects.Letters should be submitted by5 p.m., Friday the week beforepublication.

Letters must include theauthorʼs name, address, phonenumber and signature. Phonenumbers will not be published.They are for our records only inorder to authenticate a letterʼsauthor.

Letters should be written ingood taste and in most cases

should not exceed 300 words.Letters will be edited forspelling and grammar and TheCrittenden Press reserves theright to reject or edit letters forclarity, brevity and otherwise atour discretion. Writers shouldlimit their letters to no morethan one per month. Originalcopies of submitted letters willbe retained in our files.

Letters may be brought intoour office, sent to P.O. Box 191,Marion, Ky., 42064 or pressnews@the-press.com.

The Press Letters Policy

Fiscal courtproactive onnoise issue

As the drums of corporate progress continue tobeat toward gas and oil exploration in CrittendenCounty, it's gratifying to see that our elected lead-ers are showing good judgment in planning forsome protective measures that will safeguard thepeace and integrity of our rural countryside.

During its December meeting, Crittenden FiscalCourt approved first reading of an ordinance aimedat requiring gas and oil companies to mitigate dis-turbing noises from potentially loud compressorstations that would transport products taken fromarea wells – if and when those companies strikepay dirt.

The court's carefully-crafted ordinance protectsthe peace and harmony of the county while allow-ing corporations to continue in their pursuit of gasand oil here. The ordinance does nothing to prohib-it normal activities such as drilling, mining ortransmission of gas and oil. It does, however, pro-vide some needed safeguards against excessivelyloud practices and machines that never cease,such as compressor stations.

Whether we're talking about chickens, oil or gas,there's one thing for certain – big business didn'tget to be big business by worrying too much aboutannoying smells or loud noises.

Depending on who you talk to, government's rolein our democracy is to protect and serve the citi-zenry. Certainly, corporate America is not in chargeof shielding the average person from nuisances.

As we know from hindsight, our local leadershave at their disposal the tools for protecting citi-zens from corporate greed (e.g., Tyson chickentrial). It is much less costly and less troublesomefor corporations if they and everyone else under-stand the ground rules before anyone steps ontothe field of play.

The five magistrates and county judge-executivewho are in favor of placing some pre-game restric-tions on gas and oil companies are to be commend-ed. What they have learned through research isthat compressor stations can be very loud – to thepoint of being a nightmarish nuisance. The com-pressors generate pressure in pipelines to keepnatural gas and oil flowing from wells and alongpipelines. If gas companies find what they're look-ing for in sufficient volume, we can expect com-pressor stations and pipelines stretched across thelandscape.

These compressors – driven by a turbine, motor,or engine – would operate ‘round the clock everyday of the year, as long as gas or oil is flowing.

Now, we fully understand the need for Americato reduce its dependancy on foreign gas and oil.However, let's do it in a manner respectful to manand nature. This is not too much to ask.

With that in mind, our county government hasproposed putting into place a few measures thatwill protect the solitude of our countryside.

Engineers have proven that compressor stationsdon't have to be loud to be effective and efficient.Sometimes, though, it's easier and cheaper to usethe overly audible versions and avoid other respon-sible measures such as providing noise barriersaround the units. When profits are at stake, whocan you can count on for protection?

Here are a couple of comments we gleaned fromthe Internet relating to compressor stations:

� This comes from a Kansas resident, “Has any-one else had enough of the noise from the naturalgas compressor station on the south side of town? Iam on the computer in my office because I cannothear the TV over the noise of the station.”

� Here's another from Gillette, Wyo., “Nowcomes the second phase. The dreadful noise gener-ated by a nearby large compressor station. Noisethat was so loud that our dog was too frightened togo outside to do his business without a lot of coax-ing. Noise that sounds like a jet plane circling overyour house for 24 hours a day. Noise that is con-stant. Noise that drives people to the breakingpoint. My neighbor called the sheriff, state officialsand even the governor and was told nothing couldbe done about the noise.”

Fortunately, we have the benefit of hindsightwhen it comes to corporate nuisances (e.g., TysonChicken issue 1997 to 2003). Our leaders areindeed doing something now, before it is too late.

Thank you, fiscal court, for having the foresightto protect us from the potential for another “chick-en” debacle.

The Press Editorial

The joy brought by some ofthe battles won this past yearover atheists, greed, cowards,and sin is sweet to the soul.

Recent past years saw asubtle and slow creeping ofevil to stamp out the verymention of the wordChristmas, because it hadChrist's name in it.

But people began to standup, led by some in the media,mainly Bill O'Riley of FoxNews, and Christian organiza-tions who said: “Enough isenough.”

It was so disheartening in2006 to see the greed, sin,cowardice or ignorance in somany store owners who want-ed the money that Christmasshopping brings them, butwho were intimidated to usethe word Christmas in theiradvertising. Many did noteven permit their employeesto say Merry Christmas, allbecause the atheists toldthem to do it.

But 2007 saw a big rever-sal back to recognizing that

the only reason we haveChristmas is because ofChrist, His birth, suffering,death, and resurrection whichChristmas is all about.

Sin makes anyone act stu-pid. I know, I've been thereand done that. For anyone tothink we could haveChristmas with all its perks –paid days off, joy in manyhearts, and all the benefitsJesus gives us in all our lives– and to strip Him out of it isludicrous.

The great national reversalwas beautiful to behold. Itwas also heart-warming todrive our streets and see morenativity scenes this year.

It was wonderful to see“Merry Christmas” on themarquees of Food Giant and88 Dip, and the ad in ThePress from Conrad’s with thewords "Merry Christmas."

But it is still grievous tosee so many businesses noteven use the name in thissmall town, and to see somany houses still have a lot ofdecorations, and the pagansymbols of Santa, trees, rein-deer and snowmen with alltheir beautiful and expensivelights, and not one mention ofthe only reason for Christmas.

These people need to talkto Christians in Africa, the oldSoviet Union, China, NorthKorea, and the Middle Eastand learn how horrible it is tolive in a country where theatheists and Muslims havenot only stripped every sem-blance of Christ out of theirculture, but where ChristHimself has left them to theirown devices.

This condition would beour lot if people do not take a

stand and remind all that thisnation was built on theGospel of Jesus Christ andwhen we leave Him out of it,He will accommodate us andstay out. Then what kind ofcountry would we have?

Freedom is not free. Ask allwho have ever served in themilitary and their families. Weall must speak up, stand up,or be shut up.

My hat is off to all whohonored Christ this year. I'llguarantee all of you, you didnot lose a dime over doing it,but I know for a fact, some ofyou gained just because of it.

May God give you all ablessed and wonderful year of2008 and be thankful enoughfor all Jesus has and is doingfor all of us every day that youwill serve Him with your livesand lead others to Him beforeit is too late.

(Editor’s note: Lucy Tedrickis pastor at Marion Church ofGod. Her column appearsweekly in The Press.)

Rev. Lucy

Tedrick

Religious Views

Crittenden Press guest columnist

2007 marked return to God

203 W. Main St. • Princeton, KYJanuary 4 - January 10

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While a few Christmaswish lists around the worldmay have included democra-cy, that’s a treat with whichSanta is fairly stingy.

If you don’t already have itsocked away in the back ofthe closet with gifts ofChristmas past, you’d just aslikely receive a lump of goldfrom St. Nick. Just ask thepeople of China, Iran, Sudan,Pakistan or – dare I say it –Russia.

While Time Magazine wasbusy anointing RussianPresident Vladimir Putin astheir exalted Person of theYear for 2007, Americans con-tinued to die keeping the hopefor democracy alive in Iraq.The same magazine that inthe past has chosen You andAdolf Hitler as their Man, err,Person of the Year, has joinedthe rest of the left-leaningmass media in deriding thewar in Iraq.

And perhaps, rightfullyso... at least to a degree.

Wish as we may for theworld to enjoy the freedomswe accept as second-nature,most are not ready for such.Perhaps our next presidentwill have learned from the

failings of the current admin-istration that our democracycannot be forced upon others.

That’s not to say that to aperson those who have notknown freedom do not wantit, but the culture in whichthey live may not readily allowfor such. Take Pakistan,where elections scheduled fornext week have been pushedback due to the killing of anAmerica- and democracy-friendly Benazir Bhutto.

The former prime ministerwas the leader of an opposi-tion party seeking parliamen-tary power to help bring aboutchange in what could be clas-sified as a tyrannical Muslimnation. Two political figureswith ties to Crittenden County– men who had the opportu-nity to meet Bhutto lastMarch – agree that the loss of

the charismatic leader is sig-nificant.

“It’s a big loss for democra-cy and the Pakistani people,”said Ken Winters, a native ofthe county who now lives inMurray and serves in thestate senate.

Alan Stout, a GOP stalwartand former county attorneyagrees: “She embraceddemocracy and talked ofchanging the global land-scape. It’s a blow to world pol-itics.”

Both Stout, a Murray StateUniversity alumnus and cur-rent chairman of the board ofregents, and Winters, a formerprofessor at the college, metBhutto last winter when sheappeared as the speaker forMSU’s presidential lectureseries that has also featuredPolish revolutionary LechWalesa, as well as FrederikWillem de Klerk, who helpedengineer an end to SouthAfrica’s apartheid.

“She had a passion anddesire to make her people bet-ter,” Winters said of Bhutto.“Her enthusiasm was conta-gious.”

Stout, as a regent, had theopportunity to sit down along

with his daughter Katie to adinner with Bhutto.

“She was a revolutionarywithin the whole Muslimworld,” Stout said, impressedwith her grace, intelligenceand presence in touting theimportance of education andwomen’s rights in stark oppo-sition to Muslim principles.

Bhutto, like our ownfounding fathers, put her pas-sion before her life, as Stoutindicated. Her passion was tomake a better life for her fel-low countrymen, knowing itcould end her own life.

“That’s a thread commonto America,” Winters agreed.

Without another Bhutto tofill the vacuum there,Pakistan will likely remain inthe Dark Ages of democracy.And, with Pakistan’s impor-tance to our war on terror,both politically and geographi-cally, it’s likely that nation willbe a major focus of our nextpresident.

You might want to considerthat in 2008 as you mull overyour November vote.

(Editor’s note: Daryl K.Tabor is managing editor atThe Crittenden Press. His col-umn appears periodically.)

Daryl K.

TaborJust My Opinion

pressnews@the-press.com

Bit of Bhutto needed in 2008 election

bulky deed books to microfilm,which will remain onsite andin Frankfort at the KentuckyDepartment for Libraries andArchives. She already has a$12,000 grant in place tomicrofilm all but 10 books.

Computer files that includevoting records and vehicle reg-istrations are backed up night-ly and accessible from aremote site in Frankfort. Deedroom records are backed up inPaducah.

Other historic documents,such as old marriage recordsand court dockets remainunprotected, stored in thebasement of the courthouse.Those would probably be lostin a fire, she said, even ifsprinklers were installed.

“Sprinklers aren’t necessar-ily a good mix with paper andink,” Byford said.

More recent marriage docu-ments are kept locally and atthe Vital Statistic Division inFrankfort.

The Crittenden CountyCourthouse has a history ofbeing destroyed by fire.

The first Marion courthousewas burned by ConfederateGen. Hylan Lyons on Jan. 25,1865, during the Civil War. Asecond courthouse burned inMay 1870. It was rebuilt in1871 and used until the cur-rent courthouse opened.

the Xtreme Tracker a real value forthe heavy equipment and relatedindustries.

The U.S. government is alsointerested in the XT1 for its militaryand military contractor benefits.Henry "Hawk" Ruth, a senior mili-tary analyst with the U.S. Army inFort Campbell, was among thoseattending the recent meeting inMarion. He said the XT1 has manycapabilities when it comes to gov-ernmental applications.

In Iraq, for instance, Ruth saidthe government contractors such asHalliburton are charged with allsorts of construction projects thatofficials here would like to moreclosely track.

"That's a great marketing areafor Xtreme Tracker," Ruth said.

Additionally, Ruth said thedevice could be used by the militaryin vehicles like the Humvee.

"If a pilot of a helicopter looksdown and sees that Humvee ... hecould find out information such aswho is driving the vehicle andwhere it's going and what radio fre-

quency it's on so he can communi-cate with the driver.

"There are lots of capabilities likethis," Ruth added.

The XT1 will include a variety offeatures including remote disablingof a piece of equipment, theft alert,electronic activity logging, mapping,real-time software updates, remotecommunication, maintenance dataretrieval and something called Geo-fence violation.

The Geo-fence feature allows theowner of the equipment to set para-meters for where and when themachine can be used. In otherwords, the owner of a bulldozercould require that it be in a certainone-acre area and operated onlyduring pre-determined hours. Ifgoes outside the designated area orGeo-fence, the XT1 can shut downthe machine. Similar features couldreplace time cards for operators. Atrackhoe, for instance, armed withan XT1 would know exactly howlong a particular operator wasbehind the controls.

"It's a remarkable product for acompany with two pieces of equip-ment or one that is responsible forthousands of pieces of heavy equip-ment," said Todd Cook, of Precision

Product Design of Elizabethtown,Ky.

Cook's company was responsiblefor the housing design of the XT1.

"It's all Web-based so anyonewith a computer and Internet canoperate it," Cook added.

Kris Carlson of Marion is chiefinformation officer for XtremeTracker. He has been active in thedevelopment of the Web-basedmonitoring system.

"Even if someone tries to steal apiece of equipment, we have sen-sors that let us know if the XT1 istampered with and if they try to cutthe battery cables, the XT1 has itsown 30-day power supply," Carlsonsaid.

While much of the design anddevelopment work has been done inMarion by Breedlove, Carlson, Par 4president Joe McDaniel, and Par 4and Tyler Manufacturing employ-ees, there have been countlessother private contractors and con-sultants that have worked on theproject. Breedlove said XtremeTracker currently has two full-timeemployees, but he's already startingto hire sales associates and otherworkers.

Wednesday crashsends 1 to hospital

A single vehicle crash atthe Crittenden-Lyon Countyline sent the driver of the SUVto the hospital Wednesday.

Evan W. Rhodes, 20, ofEddyville, wreckedWednesday morning around10:30 on Ky. 295 about fourmiles south of Dycusburg.According to state police,Rhodes was headed southwhen his 2002 Jeep GrandCherokee left the roadway.The SUV overturned severaltimes and came to a restupside down in a ditchagainst a tree, temporarilytrapping Rhodes inside.

First responders were ableto help the man from the vehi-cle. Rhodes was believed tohave at least suffered a bro-ken leg and was taken toWestern Baptist Hospital inPaducah.

Fredonia accident injures Crayne man

A Crayne man was injuredin a head-on collision Dec. 19just outside of Fredonia.

According to The TimesLeader newspaper, FranklinM. Jones, 65, of Crayne washeaded south in a 1988 Fordpickup on U.S. 641 when heattempted to pass anothervehicle and met an oncomingpassenger car. The car wasdriven by Miranda M.Murphy, 28, of Eddyville.

The accident occurred at10:41 p.m., about a mile fromthe Lyon County border,according to the newspaper.Both drivers were transportedto Crittenden Hospital fortreatment of their injuries.

ATV-related deaths continue to rise

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) –More than 260 people inKentucky were hurt last yearwhile riding an ATV. Therewere at least 30 ATV-relateddeaths last year – more thantwice as many deaths asoccurred five years ago.

There were no ATV deathsin Crittenden County last year.

An analysis by TheCourier-Journal says allKentucky ATV driversinvolved in fatal crashes lastyear ignored at least one safe-ty guideline. The mistakesinclude riding without a hel-met, carrying passengers ordriving the vehicle on publicroads.

Salem man crashesinto propane tank

A Livingston County manwas charged with DUI andjailed in McCracken Countyafter an early morning colli-sion with a propane tank.

Jack E. Elder, 56, of Salemwas arrested after a wreck onHook Lane around 4 a.m.,Sunday. According to a reportfrom Kentucky State PoliceTrooper Chris Smith, Elder

was traveling down Hook Lanewhen he ran off the road anddrove through a yard, strikinga propane tank. He thenattempted to get back ontoHook Lane, but got his vehiclestuck in a ditch.

Crews who first respondedto the accident reported Elderwas still in his car, revving themotor while attempting to getout of the ditch.

Elder, who was not injured,was charged with first-offenseDUI and no seatbelt.

Marion man hurt in Fredonia wreck

A Crittenden County teenwas treated and released fromCrittenden Hospital forinjuries received in a Fredoniawreck Sunday evening.

Wesley Hughes, 19, ofMarion was injured in a sin-gle-vehicle accident near theCrittenden-Caldwell Countyline. According to The TimesLeader, Hughes was headedinto Fredonia on U.S. 641when he ran off the shoulderof the road, losing control ofhis 1993 Nissan Altima. Afterrunning off the road, the carbegan to slide sideways andoverturned numerous timesbefore coming to rest in a fieldalmost 200 feet from the high-way.

Hughes was helped fromthe vehicle and initially treat-ed by members of theFredonia Fire Department.

The accident occurred justbefore 5 p.m.

Business owner injured in accident

The owner of a Marionwelding business is recoveringafter a wreck last week inrural northern Lyon County.

Brad Long, 37, of Marionwas flown from LourdesHospital in Paducah toDeaconess Hospital inEvansville for injuries sus-tained in a one vehicle wreckon Ky. 1943 east ofDycusburg. Long owns andoperates Long Welding andMachine on U.S. 60 east ofMarion.

The accident occurredaround 4:50 a.m., and report-ed involved alcohol, accordingto authorities.

Kentucky State PoliceTrooper Chris Smith saidLong was eastbound on Ky.1943, about one mile east ofKy. 373, when he failed tomake a sharp curve, leavingthe roadway and striking atree. The cab of his 1995Dodge truck was crushed inthe collision.Long was charged with DUI bypolice.

THE CRITTENDEN PRESS, Marion, Kentucky 42064, Thursday, January 3, 2008 3A

The Press Traffic Accidents

XTREMEContinued from Page 1A

PHOTO BY CHRIS EVANSTodd Cook, of Precision Product Design of Elizabethtown, Ky., goes oversome of the detailed plans of the XT1.

FIREContinued from Page 1AASSOCIATED PRESS

The U.S. Supreme Courton Monday will begin argu-ments over the death penaltyspurred by two Kentuckyinmates set to die.

The challenge was broughton behalf of convicted copkiller Ralph Baze and ThomasClyde Bowling, who was foundguilty of killing a couple. Thecase will present the questionof whether the mix of lethalinjection drugs and the waythey are administered in exe-

cutions in three dozen statesviolate the Constitution.

This is the first time in morethan a century that the highcourt will address the legalityof a method of execution.Thirty-six states use lethalinjection, and executionsacross the U.S. have come toa halt in the meantime. Thelast time the court considereda challenge to a method ofexecution was in 1879, when itupheld the use of a firingsquad in Utah.

Court to hear execution case

Martin named to MSU committee

Murray State University hasnamed a 21-member regionalstewardship advisory commit-tee, which includes Bobby C.Martin of Crittenden Countyand Darrell Jones of Livingston

County.T h e

K e n t u c k yCouncil onPostsecondaryE d u c a t i o ndeveloped theregional stew-ardship initia-tive to promoteregional devel-opment.

The list of 150 names wasnarrowed to 42. Universitypresident Dr. Randy Dunnthen selected the 21-membercommittee, according to TheTimes Leader newspaper.

Board of regents chairmanAlan Stout of Marion will alsoserve on the committee as anex-officio member.

Dairy Queen still shut for repairs

One of Marion’s fast foodrestaurants remains closedalmost three weeks after anelectrical fire burned throughthe roof and filled the storewith smoke.

And, it could be some timebefore the restaurant onSturgis Road gets repaired,according to owner BarryNasseri, who said most of thedamage was caused by smoke.

The fire apparently startedin the ceiling near the back ofthe store shortly before 5 a.m.,Dec. 17. Firefighters werequick to the scene, but smokeand flames were already escap-ing the structure.

“It’s going to require somepretty extensive work,” Nasserisaid Wednesday evening.

Nasseri has had troublefinding a contractor to com-plete the work, which becauseof updated codes requires thatwiring be rerun throughout thebuilding so that it is containedwithin conduit. Consideringthe work to be done, he did notanticipate re-opening anytimebefore next weekend.

Fed cuts may hurt drug task force

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP)– Funding cuts for drug taskforces in the current federalbudget could result in the lossof four to six of the agencies inKentucky.

According to estimates fromthe Kentucky NarcoticsOfficers Association, nationalfunding for the Edward ByrneMemorial Justice AssistanceGrant program is expected tobe cut from $520 million to$170 million.

Tommy Loving, director ofthe Bowling Green-WarrenCounty Drug Task Force andexecutive director of theNarcotics Officers Associationsays that would be a 65 to 70percent loss of the $25 millionreceived by task forces. It'suncertain how the cuts willaffect the Hopkinsville-basedPennyrile Narcotics Task Force,which serves Crittenden,Livingston and 14 other west-ern Kentucky counties.

Marion Police Chief RayO'Neal said the task force is aninvaluable resource for battlingdrugs in Crittenden County.

"They're of great importanceto us," he said. "Any kind ofspecial situation we can't han-dle on our own, they're alwaysthere with money or manpow-er... or both."

Jeff Scruggs, director ofBarren-Edmonson CountyDrug Task Force, says law-makers are pushing taskforces to fund themselves withforfeitures, but those figuresaren't consistent and someagencies get very little in forfei-ture money.

Mine opening may create 900 jobs

MADISONVILLE, Ky. (AP) –A western Kentucky coal mineis being brought back into ser-vice, opening jobs for as manyas 900 miners.

St. Louis-based ArmstrongCoal Co., plans to begin opera-tion at the Big Run Mine inApril.

David Cobb, ArmstrongCoal's vice president of busi-ness development, said whenthe Ohio County mine is run-ning at full production, thecompany will employ 900 min-ers at it and other companyoperations.

"That's what the forecastwas back in June," Cobb said.

A subsidiary of PeabodyCoal ran the Big Run Mine in

Centertown, about 100 mileseast of Marion. Armstrong Coaltook over the mine after receiv-ing up to $16 million in statetax benefits under theKentucky IndustrialRevitalization Act.

Cobb said the jobs will payin the $19 per hour range,some higher and lower, basedon the job.

Two charged with park vandalism

What may have seemed aninnocent, after-dark pick-upfootball game on the highschool soccer field last fall isgoing be costly for two chargedwith damaging property to putthe game under lights.

Thomas Harris, 22, ofCrayne and a 16-year-old malejuvenile were charged Dec. 26by Marion Police with damag-ing a fence and the electricalboxes at the Marion-CrittendenCounty Park field. Their pun-ishment will be to pay restitu-tion to the Crittenden CountySchool Board for repairsalready made to the facility.

About $1,200 in damage tothe soccer complex was discov-ered Nov. 12, the day after theimpromptu night football gamewas broken up by OfficerGeorge Foster after a complaintby a nearby resident. The highschool-owned facility waslocked and closed for the sea-son, so Foster asked about adozen people playing on thefield to leave.

The officer said damage tothe electrical box and fence wasdiscovered the following day.Locks were forced off the boxesand the fence collapsed in threespots where the suspectscrossed over onto the field.

"It's a pretty big case,"Foster said of the lengthyinvestigation.

He said numerous leadsand interviews led to thecharges against Harris and thejuvenile, who were the onlyones believed to have forcedtheir way into locks.

GOP, Dems select House nominees

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) –Republicans have nominated aLyon County attorney to repre-sent three western Kentuckycounties in the state house.

Kentucky GOP spokes-woman Andi Johnson saysMarvin Lee Wilson is the unan-imous choice by Republicanleaders in Lyon, Marshall andMcCracken counties to take onDemocrat Will Coursey in aspecial election next month.

The 6th District seat isvacant after Rep. J.R. Gray, aDemocrat, joined Gov. SteveBeshear's administration asthe Labor Department com-missioner.

A special election to fill thevacancy will be Feb. 5.

Rape center gets $174,050 grant

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Justiceand Public Safety CabinetSecretary General Norman E.Arflack last month announcedthe cabinet has awarded $5.3million in grants to 63 crimevictims groups, including onethat serves Crittenden andLivingston counties. The moneyis allocated through the federalVictims of Crime Act (VOCA).VOCA relies on criminal fines,forfeitures and assessmentsinstead of taxpayer dollars tosupport victim services.

“These funds will go to helpthose most directly and severe-ly affected by crimes,” saidArflack. “Whether it is emer-gency shelter or counseling, weneed to do all we can to helpout people whose lives havebeen affected by a criminal.”

The Purchase Area Sexual

Assault Center with locations inPaducah, Murray and Mayfieldwas one of the biggest recipi-ents, landing $174,050 ingrants. The center offers rapevictim services and assistancefor Crittenden and Livingstonand seven other counties.

Faughn gives 25th gallon of blood

MADISONVILLE, Ky. – DaleFaughn of Fredonia is now a25 gallon blood donor atMadisonville's RegionalMedical Center Blood Bank.On Dec. 22, he gave the finalpint to reach the 25 gallontotal.

To honorhim on thisoccasion, fol-lowing thedonation, thehospital CEOand the bloodbank personnelgave a recep-tion and sur-prised thedonor by having his familythere. They presented thedonor with a plaque that read,"Regional Medical Center BloodBank proudly presents thisoutstanding award to DaleFaughn for sharing the gift of25 gallons of life and inspiringothers to do the same."

Faughn started at the RECas a blood donor on July 24 in1975. He had donated at vari-ous other places before, butwas not participating in anyregular program since therewas no such program inCaldwell County at that time.

Faughn has won many hon-ors for his blood donor efforts.These include various plaquesfrom time to time from theRegional Medical Center, andin 1988 a plaque from theAmerican Association of BloodBanks. In 2004 he was induct-ed into the Baxter Blood DonorHall of Fame.

Dawson Springs to vote on alcohol

DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. –Dawson Springs voters willdecide on the fate of legal alco-hol sales next month. The city-wide vote encompassing threeprecincts will be Feb. 5.

The Hopkins County cityhas been dry for the last 55years, and the last vote to rein-state the legal sale of alcoholfailed in 1956.

Hopkins County is one of 37partially dry or "moist" coun-ties in Kentucky, according toSept. 12, 2007, statistics fromthe state's Office of AlcoholBeverage Control. Fifty-three ofthe state's 120 counties,including Crittenden andLivingston, are dry. Theremaining 30 counties areentirely wet.

Clay school drug incident examined

PROVIDENCE, Ky. – Sevenstudents at Clay Elementarywere treated at RegionalMedical Center in Madisonvillefor allegedly “ingesting anunknown substance” on Dec.21 after the first student, a girl,passed out that morningaround 9 a.m. Another studentcollapsed shortly after.

According to The Journal-Enterprise newspaper inProvidence, a total of threefemale students and four malestudents were treated atRegional Medical Center inMadisonville, with all but oneof the students being taken byambulance. The seventh stu-dent was taken by private vehi-cle.

Webster CountySuperintendent James Kempsaid that he believes “there is acrime involved” but added thatmore information would be

needed to determine whethercharges would be filed.

Webster County SheriffFrankie Springfield saidauthorities determined thesubstance to be a form of pre-scription medication, and thatcriminal charges will likely befiled after authorities have col-lected more informationregarding the incident.

The students involved wereall released from the hospital,Springfield said.

Caldwell hospital gets grant money

PRINCETON, Ky. – DeltaRegional Authority, a federalorganization that serves 240counties across eight states,has awarded a $300,000 grantfor construction of a new hos-pital in Caldwell County.

The Dec. 26 announcementwas reported by The TimesLeader newspaper. HospitalCEO Charles Lovell Jr., said thefunds will aid with constructionof roads at the proposed site ofa new care facility on U.S. 62West behind Wal-Mart.

Pennyrile Area DevelopmentDistrict aided the hospital insecuring the grant.

NewPage finishes $2.56 billion deal

NewPage Corp., which oper-ates a timber yard betweenEddyville and Princeton, hascompleted buying Stora EnsoOyj’s North American paper-making operations.

Announced Dec. 21, the$2.56 billion deal makesNewPage the largest manufac-turer of coated paper in NorthAmerica, based on capacity.The combined companies hadabout $4.3 billion in net salesfor the year ending Sept. 30 forpaper used in corporate mate-rials, high-end advertisingbrochures, magazines andother publications.

The 530-employee Wickliffemill is one of 12 that NewPageoperates in six states andCanada with a total annualcapacity of about 5.5 milliontons of paper.

THE CRITTENDEN PRESS, Marion, Kentucky 42064, Thursday, January 3, 2008 5A

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Local&RegionalBriefs News from the region and state

from AP and staff reports

Advertisement For Crittenden County Local Planning Committee Meeting

The Crittenden County Schools’ Local PlanningCommittee (LPC) will conduct a PUBLIC FORUM onJanuary 14 at 5:30 P.M. CST at the Crittenden CountyMiddle School, 519 W. Gum Street, Marion, KY42064. This is the third and final forum in a series offorums to develop District Facilities Plan forCrittenden County Schools. This public forum will beto solicit public comment concerning a Draft DistrictFacilities Plan. Community suggestions or recommen-dations will be closely monitored by the LocalPlanning Committee and Crittenden County Board ofEducation in the development of a proposed DistrictFacility Plan for the Crittenden County Schools. Thismeeting will be followed by a meeting of the LocalFacilities Planning Committee at this same location.

The public is welcome and invited to this series ofmeetings.

Martin

Faughn

make the list, coming in at No.3. While it could be as early asthe end of this week beforecounty inmates are trans-ferred to the new 44,000-square-foot facility, the 133-bed Crittenden CountyDetention Center was unveiledto the public in December.

Jailer Rick Riley is hopingto begin recouping some of thecounty’s money by housingstate inmates as early as thismonth. Discussions to housefederal inmates are also ongo-ing.

4The announced closure ofthe USDA office in Marion

was another blow to the localagriculture community.

At No. 4, the eventual con-solidation of farm and otherlandowner services offered atthe Crittenden and LivingstonCounty USDA offices into oneSalem location was the secondag story to make top news.While the Marion officeremains open for now, thefinal decision to close the officehas been made at the statelevel, as was discussed inJune by USDA Farm ServiceAgency state director Jeff Hallat a heated public forum.

Susan Champion, supervi-sor of both the Marion andSalem FSA offices, said thedate of closure of the Marionoffice is still uncertain. Shesaid it depends on a number offactors, including passage of anew federal farm bill.

5Marion named a newpolice chief for the first

time in 19 years, making No. 5on our list.

The retirement of 32-yearMarion Police officer KennethWinn as chief made way forthe promotion of AssistantChief Ray O’Neal, who tookover the reins of the policedepartment in August.

Thus far, things have pro-gressed smoothly for the newchief with the help of CityAdministrator Mark Bryant,Mayor Mick Alexander andothers within the city ranks.

“I’ve not been thrown anyreal curves,” O’Neal said,adding that Winn has madehimself available for questionsand guidance as needed. “He’sbeen a big help, and I’m glad tohave somebody around forthat.”

Winn, after a brief stint ascodes enforcement officer forthe city, has now settled into anew courthouse job as trialcommissioner.

Meantime, O’Neal hasimplemented some new polic-ing programs and expects tobegin the search to fill the onlyopen slot in the department in

a few weeks. Officer JerryParker, the newest patrolman,will hit the streets in Marchwhen he graduates from thepolice academy.

6At No. 6, five people diedon Crittenden County

roadways in five separate acci-dents last year. All five killed in2007 wrecks were fromMarion. It's been 11 yearssince more people were killedin county accidents.

On Dec. 2, RobertK. Eanes Sr., 43,died in a single vehi-cle accident on SiscoChapel Road. He wasa passenger in anSUV driven by his18-year-old son,Gary. On Nov. 6,Robert Shawn Tabor,27, died when histruck left Ky. 70 nearthe Mexico commu-nity, striking a build-ing, two signs and anearthen embank-ment. Four monthsprior on July 29,Ronnie Hobbs, 57,died from injuries hereceived in a motor-cycle accident earlierin the day near old Dam 50.On June 12, Doris Ann Taylor,75, died from injuries receivedin a U.S. 641 wreck near MottCity. The first fatality of 2007occurred on Jan. 29, whenCarson Dale Hackney, 53, waskilled on U.S. 60 West inCrittenden County.

7Looking at cost-savingmeasures to help an ailing

budget, the Crittenden County

Board of Education exploredthe option of a four-day schoolcalendar.

This seventh-ranked storydrew lots of ink, but after thefour committees put togetherto gather facts on the propos-al gave their first report, theboard of education decided tonix the idea. Board ChairmanRonald “Red” Howton said the

cost-savings, lessthan $16,000 annu-ally, did not out-weigh the upheavalto lives that arevised calendarwould cause.

Out of the ashesof exploring acad-meic programsundertaken by four-day school systemslike WebsterCounty, CrittendenCounty SchoolsS u p e r i n t e n d e n tJohn Belt has puttogether a standingcommittee of educa-tors to look atchanges in curricu-lum that couldimprove academicsamong students.

8The first CrittendenCountian in 40 years to

earn a starting position on aDivision I college football pro-gram gave Brad Hart the No. 8spot on the list.

No. 55 was part of aground-breaking Kentuckyfootball team. As short- andsometimes long-snapper forthe Wildcats’ special teamsunit, Hart kept his job all sea-son as a walk-on and earneda scholarship to return nextyear to the back-to-backbowl-winning team.

As part of the squad, Hartenjoyed eight wins, includingMonday’s Music City Bowlvictory over Florida State andwins against No. 1 LSU andin-state rival Louisville. UKbroke the AP Top 10 twice fin-ished the year at 8-5.

9Gordon Guess broke thetop 10 with his retire-

ment as head of The PeoplesBank, one of two locally-oper-ated banks in Marion.

Guess retired in May aftercoming back home in 1973 torun the business his fatherfounded 62 years ago. Whileretired from banking, Guessremains active in the commu-nity and in pursuit of person-al interests.

The bank is now headed byTerry Bunnell, a Glasgow,Ky., native, who serves as theCEO and chairman of thebank’s retooled board ofdirectors.

10Rounding out the top10, a summertime out-

break of hemorrhagic diseaseamong the prized whitetaileddeer population threatened

the herd and late-autumndeer season that is an eco-nomic boon to the county. Infact, deer hunting is attrib-uted to having raised ruralproperty values to more than$2,000 per acre.

Local wildlife biologistPhilip Sharp called it the mostwidespread outbreak of hem-orrhagic disease he remem-bers, but ensured that thedisease cannot be spread tohumans, even by consump-tion of deer meat. The virus istransmitted by gnats and fliesand results in fever, laboredbreathing and swelling of thehead, neck and tongue.

As time passed and killingfrosts eliminated the spreadby insects, the worries sub-sided and the2007 huntingseason wasone of the beston record.

� As anh o n o r a b l emention, thecounty’s firstA f r i c a n -American wascrowned MissCrittenden County during theopening night of the fair.

Breanna Cozart, a seniorand star athlete at CrittendenCounty High School, took thecrown in July, beating outnine others in the annualbeauty pageant.

8A THE CRITTENDEN PRESS, Marion, Kentucky 42064, Thursday, January 3, 2008

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1800 KENTUCKY, PADUCAH KY…Midtown office location.Access to bldg. from KY Ave. or thru the alley off 18th St.Professional office bldg. w/ many rooms available. $139,900.1806 KENTUCKY, PADUCAH, KY…Commercial bldg.Located on corner of 19th & KY Ave. Has over 2400 SF ofspace that currently has 1100 SF leased to “Man’s World”barber shop. Balance of bldg. approx. 1300 SF recently hasbeen used as convenience store. Features a storage bldg. inrear w/over 950 SF. Conveniently located near hospital andDR. offices & other professional bldg. This would be a greatinvestment opportunity. $165,000112 S 5th ST., PADUCAH, KY…located in heart of downtownrenovation area. Building was home to “Conway’s” barbershop for over 50 years and bldg. dates back over 100 years.Period architectural designs are still very visible & attractive.$80,000.R E S TORED HISTO R I C A L C O M M E R C I A L B U I L D I N G…located Main St. in downtown Marion. This renovated build-ing has original ornate tin/medallion ceilings,hardwood/mosaic tile flooring, replacement windows pluscentral heat & air. The building has 1 and half baths, 2 storieswith an open staircase leading to the balcony and secondfloor. Excellent for various retail businesses and downtownapartment. Come take a look and began a new business ortransfer your location to this unique building. Call today formore details.GREAT LOCATION… in Salem. Commercial building and lot.Many possibilities. Call for more information.START YOUR OWN BUSINESS…from this 30 x 50 garage.Features (3) 10’ x 12’ overhead doors, office space, propaneheat, exterior lighting, concrete floors, city water. Call for moredetails.

CRITTENDEN HEALTH SYSTEMS“Healing Hands, Caring Hearts”

People of all ages are invited to tour our new, state-of-the-art rehab facility and visit with our friendly, healthcare professionals.

Refreshments • Door Prizes

At Crittenden Health Systems we are celebrating our

65th Anniversaryand you are cordially invited to the

first of many special events in 2008…

Open HouseCrittenden Health Systems

Rehabilitation ServicesLocated in the Crittenden County Hospital’s Annex Building

(Corner of U.S. 60 & Country Club Drive)

Thursday, January 10th3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

FROM AP AND STAFF REPORTThe state is reporting

lower jobless rates in mostKentucky counties.

Unemployment fellbetween November 2006 andNovember 2007 in 106 coun-ties, rose in 12 counties andremained the same in two.

Crittenden County's job-less rate fell to 4.6 percentfrom 5.0 percent the monthbefore. Since November2006, unemployment hasdropped 1.2 percent in the

c o u n t y .M e a n t i m e ,u n e m p l o y -ment in thenine-countyP e n n y r i l eA r e aDevelopmentDistrict is alsodown.

With nosignificant jobnumbers added in CrittendenCounty, Stan Hoover,Crittenden County Economic

Development Corporation'sexecutive director, attributesthe falling unemploymentrate, in part, to the overalleconomic health of theregion.

“So many of our countyresidents commute out-of-county to work that it couldsimply be that employmenthas increased in otherareas,” he explained.

In February 2006,Crittenden County's joblessrate topped out at 7.5 per-

cent. While seasonally-adjusted unemployment hassteadily dropped here sincethat time, Hoover said goodor bad figures do not seem toplay a key role in a business'decision to locate to an area.

“I don’t believe industriesplace a great deal of empha-sis on unemployment figures,unless the numbers are veryhigh, which may signal otherproblems as well,” he said.

Office of Employment andTraining spokeswoman Kim

Saylor Brannock saidWoodford County recorded

the lowest jobless rate at 3.4percent. Boone, Fayette,Jessamine, Madison, Mason,Oldham, Scott Warren coun-ties had unemployment ratesbelow 4 percent.

Brannock said unemploy-ment was below 10 percentin every county in November.Jackson County had thestate's highest unemploy-ment at 9.2 percent. Clay,Harlan, Magoffin and Wolfecounties each had joblessrates exceeding 8 percent.

Jobless ratesAREA 11/07 10/07 11/06

Kentucky .....4.6 ......5.1.....5.2Pennyrile .....5.6 ......6.1.....6.0Crittenden....4.6 ......5.0.....5.8Caldwell.......4.6 ......5.2.....4.8Livingston ....4.3 ......4.4.....6.1Lyon.............5.5 ......6.0.....6.0Webster .......5.6 ......6.1.....4.4Union...........4.5 ......4.9.....5.1

Hoover

Crittenden unemployment falls to 4.6 percent

STORIESContinued from Page 1A

OʼNeal

TrafficfatalitiesYEAR COUNTY STATE

2007 .....5 ......852*2006 .....4.......9132005 .....3.......9852004 .....4.......9642003 .....2.......9282002 .....1.......9152001 .....2.......8432000 .....0.......8231999 .....4.......8191998 .....2.......8691997 .....5.......8651996 .....9.......8461995 .....4.......8561994 .....5.......791

*Preliminary figures

SOURCE: KentuckyState Police

Cozart

Winn