Jail holding state inmates
By today, the new $7.6 million Crittenden County Detention Center will be home to at least 42 inmates.
Jailer Rick Riley gave county magistrates an update on the new facility during the fiscal court meeting Tuesday. Riley said jail employees are currently undergoing a week-long training and once that is complete, the jail will be opening up to even more inmates.
The jail, which has 130 beds and can house even more if necessary, is banking on getting an influx of paying inmates from the State of Kentucky and perhaps others doing time for federal crimes. The state and federal governments pay handsomely for inmates to be kept in such facilities.
Riley said the county had picked up 22 state inmates this week – those in which the county is paid about $32 a day to house. The facility also includes about 20 local inmates. The county foots the bill for those prisoners.
The 26,077-square-foot detention center was completed last month. County magistrates reviewed the debt obligation of the new jail with Keith Brock, a representative of bond company Ross Sinclair, during its meeting this week. Brock outlined the county's payment schedule over the next 30 years. It begins with a $211,350 payment May 20. The county will make two payments each year for an annual total of slightly more than $500,000. By the time the bonds are paid off on Nov. 20, 2037, the county will have spent $15.7 million on principal and interest.

Marion Bobcats hire first skipper
With a grip that could squeeze the sawdust out of a bat, Marion Bobcats manager Steve Fowler extends his hand to greet his prospective players.
On Saturday, Fowler left Marion with Gordon Guess to offer his handshake in the hope of adding more talent to his lineup. After a few such visits, countless phone calls and some networking with old contacts, Fowler entered Monday with commitments from 16 players for summer league baseball action.
Now just more than a week after the last of 18 investors signed on to give birth to Marion's first organized baseball club in 59 years, general manager Guess and Fowler have more than two-thirds of the new 22-man baseball team lined up. And Marion Baseball Club, LLC won't begin KIT League action for another five months.
When "Kitty" League action starts in June, Fowler will bring more years of baseball experience than the age all his players. The 46-year-old skipper began coaching high school in 1988, but grew up in a baseball atmosphere. His father played in the original Kitty League in the Chicago Cubs organization, setting the course for his son.
"He raised me to play baseball," Fowler said of his dad.
Fowler left for college with four years of the game under his belt from Madisonville North Hopkins High School. From there, he played at Wabash Valley Junior College, Kentucky Wesleyan and the University of Evansville. With a stout frame, firm grip and a strong 92 mph toss, Fowler settled into the catcher's position.
At the age of 20, he was offered a shot with the Cincinnati Reds. Following his 1981 tryout at Riverfront Stadium, a team scout offered an invitation to Florida for spring training. His performance in the Sunshine State was good enough to earn a place on a low-level farm team in Virginia, but with a wife and baby, he declined a paltry bonus and slim $1,000 a month salary.
"There comes a time when you have to grow up," he said.
Add to the mix a collision at home plate that wrecked his throwing arm and Fowler's playing career was finished. But he wouldn't give up the uniform or the game.
"Baseball is my passion," he said of America's pastime.
Fowler will bring that passion and an aggressive style of baseball to the Bobcats when the season begins. His roster will be filled with hard-nosed players not afraid to get their uniforms dirty.
"I want guys who still want to work and bleed," he said. "I don't want any prima donnas."
Most of his players will come from the junior college ranks and Division II NCAA colleges. Since the Kitty League is a summer collegiate league, players must be college-eligible amateurs. He will also explore some Division I options, but most of the players will hover around the age of 20.
"I want a team of mules pulling the wagon every day," he said.
So far, Fowler has signed or gained commitments from players at colleges in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, as well as from Millersville University in Pennsylvania, Stony Brook University in New York and the University of Tennessee-Martin. He's willing to build a team around power or speed.
"One year, we stole home 12 to 14 times, and the next year, we hit 15 homes runs," Fowler said of his eight years leading the Tradewater Pirates, a Kitty League team from Dawson Springs.
That's where Fowler met Guess 10 years ago. Fowler was the first manager the Pirates hired. During his eight years at the helm, he got to know Guess as a radio personality calling the games for WMJL. Their relationship made Fowler's decision to head another new team easy.
"Anything Gordon does, he does well," Fowler said.
After taking a couple of years off from baseball, Fowler said he's ready to return. So, he dusted off his ragged folder full of baseball contacts and notes and is ready for the first pitch.
On the field, he tallied 187 wins with the Pirates and six titles that earned berths to national tournaments, the top being the National Baseball Congress World Series Championship in Wichita, Kan. That's his ultimate goal for the Bobcats.
He has scouted for the Tampa Bay Devilrays, providing the first report on Major Leaguer Brad Wilkerson and has had two of his players drafted by the "Bigs" and two more signed to play professionally in the Frontier League. He has also helped 187 kids earn collegiate athletic scholarships.
"That's my biggest high point," he said of the scholarships.
Off the field, Fowler is married with two grown sons and two grandchildren. He is an alternative school teacher in Muhlenberg County and at church leads the singing and teaches a Sunday school class.
"I love God, my family and baseball," he said.