News from July 6, 2006 issue

The life’s work of a famous and influential Crittenden Countian, Forrest Carlisle Pogue, is forever etched in stone.
“In honor of Dr. Forrest Carlisle Pogue... war journalist, professor, military biographer, researcher (and) pioneer of oral history techniques,” reads the new black polished marble monument in front of the Crittenden County Public Library honoring Pogue. It was unveiled during a ceremony Friday.
“Forest Pogue’s accomplishments eclipse many other Crittenden Countians,” said Chris Evans, publisher of The Crittenden Press and a co-director of the monument project.
“It’s a shame that it has taken us so long to recognize his contributions,” said Evans at the unveiling. “It is fitting that we dedicate a small portion of Pogue’s native land to his memory.”
Pogue grew up here and graduated high school at the age of 14. He was later educated at Murray State, the University of Kentucky and he studied abroad.
Pogue wrote several books on World War II, military generals and United States history. He was often referred to as the “congenial historian” by others in his field. He died in 1996 and is buried at Frances.
Family and friends as well as the community came out Friday afternoon to honor Pogue’s memory.
The monument, which stands three feet high and is three feet broad, is on permanent display in front of the library.
The Braxton McDonald Foundation was the predominant benefactor of the project. Matt Patton, a native Crittenden Countian who has authored local history books, was co-director of the project.
“I think this will be great for younger generations... many of whom do not know who Forrest Pogue was,” said Evans.

Cougar sightings prompt closer look

Cougar sightings throughout Crittenden County are fairly prevalent, according to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officer Randy Conway.
Conway said he was called to a residence near Aunt Jane Tabernacle Road last week to investigate a sighting.
“I’ve had reports from Shady Grove, on U.S. 60 East, Aunt Jane Tabernacle Road, Midway and Levias,” said Conway. “I get them all over the whole county and I have to take the landowner’s word for it.”
Conway said he goes out and investigates most of the reports, but so far he’s found no hard evidence that the cats exist here.
A black bear’s migration from Arkansas to Paris, Tenn., where it was caught last week, has prompted a renewed belief that cougars, also known as mountain lions, may have drifted back into their native lands. The big cats were once common in Kentucky, but as human populations increased, the anti-social felines disappeared.
Stan Hoover, who lives off Aunt Jane Tabernacle Road, said his family has had three encounters with big cats, two in the past couple of weeks. He said a dog helped head off the cat while his elderly mother escaped from the backyard to the house. “It was pretty bold to come into the backyard,” Hoover said.

County Fair opens with 4-H events

Although most of the featured events for this year’s Lions Club Crittenden County Fair will be held July 17-22, many of the 4-H, garden and livestock events begin next week. Next week’s events also include a bike rodeo and youth field games on Thursday, July 13. See this week’s special fair section for details. The nightly features, including truck pulls and the demolition derby will begin the week of July 17. The annual beauty pageant will be held on opening night of the fair at Fohs Hall.