News from October 12, 2006 issue

Heritage Festival activities
Mechanical bull riding, a patriotic program depicting the history of the American flag and a Pepsi give-away are new to this year’s schedule for Heritage Days, Oct. 20-21. Many crowd favorites return to the event – the bulk of which will take place on Oct. 21 – including the annual Graveyard Tour. A carnival for kids will be open between 5:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 20.
The event coincides with the annual Christmas in Marion Arts & Crafts Show at Fohs Hall, Oct. 21-22.
The theme of this year’s community Heritage Days celebration is “Celebrating Our Freedom,” and as always the Oct. 21 events will kick off with an opening ceremony at the courthouse conducted by the American Legion.
“I think we have put together a fall schedule the whole community can enjoy,” says Donnetta Travis, event coordinator.
“Heritage Days is a fun time for the community to gather and celebrate life,” Travis said.
“My favorite part is when the community comes together downtown. It’s one of the neatest things about Heritage Days,” said Travis.
One exciting addition to this year’s festival is Pepsi’s “Wheel of Fortune” Giveaway. The grand prize is a big screen television.
Although money doesn’t grow on trees, one might find it in a stack of hay during this year’s festivities. Back by popular demand is Peoples Bank’s Money-in-a-Haystack. During this game, kids climb into a pile of hay and search for money. It is similar to an Easter egg hunt but for cash and prizes, said Travis.
A crowd-pleasing Heritage Days staple is the Hog Calling Contest, which begins on the main stage at 1 p.m., after the Little Miss & Mr. Heritage Days Pageant.
Southern Fryd, a west Kentucky musical group, is performing a free concert sponsored by the Marion Tourism Commission at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 21.
“We have a really good band this year,” said Travis.
Other highlights of this year’s event include political speeches, a petting zoo, puppet show, the always-popular FFA Pedal Tractor Pull, the NWTF Jakes Day and a book sale at the public library.
“Everybody has worked so hard and worked together so well,” Travis explained.
Both the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum and Historical Museum will be open during Heritage Days, with fresh cider made and served at the log cabin next to the Clement Museum.

Davidson asks for shock probation
Steve Davidson’s attorney is asking Circuit Judge Rene Williams for shock probation, a move that could have freed the former economic development director from jail about a month early.
However, the attorney’s motion was received Monday, four days after the deadline to have the request put on this week’s circuit court docket. Now, the motion is scheduled to be heard by Judge Williams on Nov. 9.
Davidson, 63, pleaded guilty in August to embezzling about $210,000 from the Crittenden County Economic Development Corporation. In September, Judge Williams sentenced Davidson to 60 days in jail. He began serving the term on Sept. 14 in Murray at the Calloway County Jail.
Attorney Andrew Coiner of Paducah said in the motion filed this week at the Crittenden County Courthouse that as of Oct. 16, Davidson will have served 30 days of his sentence. He asked for early release based on several factors, including overcrowding at the Calloway jail and the health of Davidson’s wife. The request for shock probation says that Mrs. Davidson is suffering asthma attacks and has fallen. It also says that Davidson is being “subjected to less than marginal accommodations” because of overcrowding at the jail.