-News from Sept. 24, 2009 issue

Local News
The Crittenden Press Full Version (PDF)

408 line up for flu shots in Marion
A steady flow of residents kept four nurses busy unloading their syringes last Thursday at the Crittenden County Health Department’s flu shot clinic at the Marion Ed-Tech Center.
The Health Department’s Alfreda Wheeler said the volume of flu vaccinations administered during the one-day clinic was more than normal.
“Flu season is here earlier than usual,” Wheeler said. “I think that’s one of the reasons. We usually give about 250 to 275.”
Nurses administered 408 inoculations from 8:30 a.m., to 4 p.m.
Wheeler also said the H1N1 flu has received so much media attention that people’s awareness is greater this year. The flu shots given last week do not include the antibodies to prevent H1N1. That vaccine should be available in a couple of weeks.
“I will get one of those when it’s available,” said Robert Lee White, who was lined up at the clinic to get his shot last week. He and many others who came Thursday say they get a flu shot annually.
John Rufli was visiting from out of town, attending a Murray State University function at the Ed-Tech Center. He took time out of his schedule to get a flu shot.
“I get one every year,” he said.
If you missed that opportunity, shots are still available to walk-ins at the Crittenden County Health Department at 402 North Walker St. No appointment is necessary. Shots are $20 unless you have Medicare, Medicaid or qualify for the Kentucky Children’s Vaccine Program.
The local health department received 700 doses of the flu vaccine. It will continue to offer them until the vaccine is gone or until flu season ends.

STAFF REPORT
Speed crackdown on Fords Ferry Road
Speeders beware! If you’re driving fast on Fords Ferry Road just inside the Marion City Limits, there could be trouble.
Marion City Councilman Jim Brown told fellow council members Monday at the group’s regular meeting that he has received a number of complaints regarding speeders on the newly refurbished portion of Fords Ferry Road.
The road, which juts off to the north at Curve In on Sturgis Road, is wider now and has new pavement. The posted speed limit is 35 mph inside the city. About a half mile of the road is inside the city boundaries, however, the widening and repaving project extends another two-tenths of a mile into the county.
At its widest point, the road is now 24 feet broad.
Marion Police Chief Ray O’Neal said a combination of factors promote speeds over the limit. Coming from the county road where no speed limit is posted into a wider, smoother surface tends to keep folks running in a high gear. But they need to start braking, the chief said.
“It’s all down hill, too,” O’Neal said. “We’re going to start watching it more closely.”
Each of Marion’s police cruisers is equipped with radar and officers will be checking speeds on Fords Ferry Road in the coming days.
“With the fine and court costs, a speeding ticket can run about $200,” O’Neal said. “We just want motorists to be aware that we’re going to actively enforce the speed limit there starting this week.”

Bank seizes CeraTech assets
A local bank has received a court order allowing it to seize property owned by CeraTech Media, Inc., of Marion. Accompanied by Sheriff Wayne Agent, representatives of The Peoples Bank exercised a writ of possession Monday, taking control the property at 811 Moore Street. CeraTech, which had loans at The Peoples Bank in excess of $370,000, ceased operations this summer, leaving more than a dozen workers out of a job.
CeraTech’s owner and president, Florence Sumner of Atlanta, Ga., has 10 days to seek legal authority to repeal the writ of possession. Otherwise, the bank will retain the property until it is released or sold to satisfy the debt.