Kentucky news

• 48 years: Nance retires from First United Methodist Church

  12-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  Most every Sunday across the last 48 years, Roy Nance was on the organ bench for the opening of the traditional worship service at First United Methodist Church, 211 Washington St.
  That run ended with the postlude on Aug. 16 and Nance’s retirement.
  Reflecting on the day, Nance said he had no regrets, and he didn’t feel sad.
  “The choir loft was filled with members of the current choir and many of those who’ve sung with me across the years. And I know I will be back to fill
  
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• Screening of award-winning documentary features Frankfort-based Red Oaks Forest School

  19-09-2026 21:10 via state-journal.com
  
  The award-winning documentary “In Our Nature” will make its second Kentucky debut with an outdoor family-friendly movie night at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 at The Boathouse at River Row, 608 Hawkins Drive. The viewing is a unique opportunity to experience the documentary featuring Red Oaks Forest School, a local nonprofit that provides hands-on environmental education and nature experiences for families and kids of all ages.
  All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Red Oaks Forest
  
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• A Grand gift that keeps on giving

  19-09-2026 21:09 via state-journal.com
  
  A friend recently asked Bill Cull why he continues to retain the word “save” in “Save the Grand” releases and publications since the music and entertainment venue on St. Clair has obviously been “saved.”
  Cull, who has practically dedicated his life to the project, sounding like an evangelist on Sunday but in a much lower key, said he disagrees and feels it needs to be “saved” again every day.
  “That’s why we keep ‘save’ in th
  
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• Rev. Ron Moore Jr.: Hotter than fish grease — Part two

  19-09-2026 21:08 via state-journal.com
  
  Editor’s note: This is the second part of a series of columns titled “Hotter than fish grease” by Rev. Ron Moore Jr. Read the first column here.
  All too often I hear someone say, “I think Hell is what we are living on Earth.” There is no doubt that we are living in some tough times. It appears as though the very moral compass of society is blurred to the point of right and wrong appear to be undefined.
  In some places and to some people, evil has become a way of life
  
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• Planting by the signs ….and other things: Time to plan to bring favorite plants in for winter

  19-09-2026 21:07 via state-journal.com
  
  Quick Takes
  • Please note: While it’s still hot, anything planted in the unprotected outdoor garden has a very small chance — if any at all — to make it to harvest before frost and freeze time arrives.
  • Remainder of today through Sept. 23: Fertile, Capricorn/knees, Aquarius/legs, all with light moon ruling for above-grounders
  • Sept. 24-25: VERY fertile, Pisces/feet, above-grounders
  • Moon change: Sept. 26, 12:49 p.m., light to dark
  • Sept. 26-28: No p
  
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• Paul Sawyier Public Library News — Sept. 20-26, 2026

  19-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  Sunday
  2 p.m.: Frankfort Civil War Round Table — General Grant by Himself (for adults). Join living historian Dr. Curt Fields as he portrays General Ulysses S. Grant. Sponsored by the Frankfort Civil War Round Table, Capital City Museum and PSPL. Register at www.pspl.org.
  Monday
  5:30 p.m.: Let’s Talk About It (for adults). Join Focus on Race Relations (FORR), Frankfort Anti-Racism Advocates (FARA) and PSPL for a community discussion of race-related issues in Frankfort and beyond. We
  
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• Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church to host ‘Devoted Girls Night Out: Into the Deep’ Sept. 25

  19-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church will host “Devoted Girls Night Out: Into the Deep,” a free girls night out event for women of every age and stage of life, from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the church located at 480 Duckers Road, Midway. The doors will open at 6 p.m.
  Participants will enjoy worship and listen to a speaker.
  The event is free and open to any woman in the community. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997878404088.
  
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• Student of the Week: Second Street’s McDonald is dedicated to succeed

  18-09-2026 19:49 via state-journal.com
  
  Alex McDonald’s work ethic in academics has led to success, and she has been named the Student of the Week.
  Alex, an eighth-grader at Second Street School, has always put her academics first, according to Tami Stone-Stroble, an English Language Arts teacher at the school.
  “She excels in all her classes because of her hard work and attention to detail,” Stone-Stroble wrote in her nomination. “She asks questions for clarification and self-advocates. Her writing skills are f
  
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• I-64 collision leaves Versailles woman dead

  18-09-2026 19:48 via state-journal.com
  
  Kentucky State Police Post 12 in Frankfort is currently investigating a two-vehicle fatal collision that occurred at 9:46 a.m. Thursday on Interstate 64.The preliminary investigation indicates traffic on I-64 in the westbound lanes was heavy. The collision occurred near the 61-mile marker in the westbound lanes of I-64 in Woodford County. The investigation indicates a white GMC Yukon SUV was traveling westbound in the right lane of travel. There was slow moving traffic due to construction in the
  
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• Fiscal court pays respects to two former leaders

  18-09-2026 19:47 via state-journal.com
  
  The fiscal court on Wednesday unanimously approved the hiring of new Franklin County Fire Chief Raymond Canafax. He will take on his new role in November.
  The court began its scheduled session with a moment of silence for former Franklin County 4th District Magistrate Allen “Harold” Robinson and former Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Roger Crittenden.
  “They will both be missed — they were huge people in this community,” Judge-Executive Michael Mueller told the c
  
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• Franklin County’s boys golf team wins Hilen Cup

  18-09-2026 19:45 via state-journal.com
  
  Franklin County’s boys golf team captured the Hilen Cup Wednesday at Juniper Hill.
  The Flyers finished the event with a score of 302, and Frankfort was runner-up with a score of 312. Western Hills didn’t have a team score.
  The Hilen Cup is an annual event among FCHS, FHS and WHHS. The teams played nine holes Tuesday and Wednesday.
  FCHS’ Myles Williams took medalist honors with a two-day total of one-over par 71. Rounding out the all-tournament team were the Flyers’ Noah C
  
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• Police, fire blotter (Sept. 17)

  18-09-2026 19:43 via state-journal.com
  
  The following calls were received by the Frankfort Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Frankfort Fire and EMS, and Franklin County Fire Department on Thursday:
  • At 8:26 a.m., officers took a vandalism complaint on Fairview Avenue. A caller reported a Toyota 4Runner was vandalized and a tire was stabbed two nights before.
  • At 8:28 a.m., deputies took a theft report on Highwood Drive. A caller reported a Ford F150 extended cab had been stolen.
  • At 8:49 a.m.
  
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• Franklin County’s girls golf team finishes second in Kentucky 2A State Championship

  18-09-2026 19:43 via state-journal.com
  
  After 18 holes Monday at the Kentucky 2A State Championship, Franklin County’s girls golf team found itself in a tie with Taylor County.
  Both teams shot 330 at the Owensboro Country Club, and Taylor County won on a scoreboard playoff.
  FCHS’ Emerson Bowling was runner-up with a three-over-par 75. Corbin’s Makena Myatt won the tournament with an even-par 72.
  The Lady Flyers received a pep talk after the first nine holes.
  “We told them, ‘don’t quit, give 100%,&rs
  
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• ‘My time has come’: Family speaks about late daughter’s mental health struggles

  18-09-2026 19:40 via state-journal.com
  
  Taliyah LaShae Thomas was born Nov. 30, 2006, to Troy and Tracy Thomas. Arriving at just 28 weeks, she only weighed 2.2 pounds and became the youngest of three. Her older brothers are Trey and Tavion Thomas.
  Her first year was filled with appointments and challenges that she faced due to being born prematurely. By the time Taliyah turned 14, she had already faced more battles than most adults. But her last battle, no one could stop.
  “Taliyah was such a loving child,” Tracy said.
  She
  
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• Marguerite Elaine Wordell

  18-09-2026 14:38 via state-journal.com
  
  Marguerite Elaine Wordell, 80, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Frankfort, Kentucky, on September 12, 2026, surrounded by those who loved her.
  Marguerite was born on June 24, 1946, in East Providence, Rhode Island, the daughter of the late Charles Franklin Wordell Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Perry Wordell. She graduated from St. Gertrude High School in Richmond, Virginia, in 1964 and went on to earn her B.A. in Economics from Trinity University in Washington, D.C.She later obtained
  
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• East Todd residents advocate for lower speed limit after recent crashes

  18-09-2026 04:43 via state-journal.com
  
  Pointing to two recent motor vehicle accidents, three South Frankfort residents raised safety concerns about the East Todd and Logan Street intersection at Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting.
  Shortly after noon on Tuesday, Aug. 19, a two-vehicle crash between a motorcycle and a truck injured the biker.
  Tara Bissell, who, along with her husband, owns Andy’s Artisan Bread at that intersection, recounted the “very intense” accident.
  “We all heard the entire thing
  
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• Local softball players compete in Premier Girls Fastpitch Super Select Fall Championships in Indianapolis

  17-09-2026 23:59 via state-journal.com
  
  Local softball players competed in the Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) Super Select Fall Championships Sept. 12-14 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
  TN Mojo 2034 — coached by Morgan Gilbert, Megan Gabbard, Joe Hyatt and Sammy Trainor — played in its first fall tournament, the USSSA Labor Day Classic, in Georgetown Sept. 5-6. After going 4-1 in pool play on Sept. 5, they earned a two seed heading into the bracket. After three back-to-back games, they fell short in the championship game to KY Ch
  
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• FPB sees an increase in assets

  17-09-2026 23:54 via state-journal.com
  
  On Tuesday, the Frankfort Plant Board Chief Financial Officer David Denton discussed August’s financial statements at Tuesday’s meeting. The plant board gained $259.8 million in assets, a figure that has been up 6.2% year after year.
  “You’ll notice the story we talk about over and over — the main driver of increase in assets year to year is our investment in property and equipment,” Denton explained to the board of directors. “If you look at just the fir
  
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• Police, fire blotter (Sept. 16)

  17-09-2026 23:53 via state-journal.com
  
  The following calls were received by the Frankfort Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Frankfort Fire and EMS, and Franklin County Fire Department on Wednesday:
  • At 6:39 a.m., officers, city fire, and EMS were called to a stabbing at KOI Auto Parts on East Main Street. A caller reported a 45-year-old male was stabbed in the leg.
  • At 8:30 a.m., officers, city fire, and EMS responded to a non-injury motor vehicle accident on Diagnostic Drive.
  • At 8:45 a.m.,
  
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• CARTOON: Trump removes climate pollution limits on power plants

  17-09-2026 23:06 via state-journal.com
  
  CARTOON: Trump removes climate pollution limits on power plants
  
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• Kentuckians for the Commonwealth to host Hoedown Throwdown Friday

  17-09-2026 22:38 via state-journal.com
  
  Kentuckians for the Commonwealth will host Hoedown Throwdown: People-powered Music and Arts Festival from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at West Sixth Farm, 4495 Shadrick Ferry Road.
  Kentucky musicians, artists, poets and speakers will take the stage to show off their creativity.The lineup includes Anna Kline, Cait Justice, Ekknowledge, Jaret Ellis, Jeri Katherine Howell, Joan Brannon, Kill Devil Hillbillies, Shannon Vetter, Tia Woods and more.
  Enjoy an afternoon to sing, boogie and two-step with fa
  
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• ‘Raising hope’ for couple battling cancer together

  17-09-2026 05:13 via state-journal.com
  
  Melissa and Eric Rogers have been together since 2011. As the pair each fights their respective cancer diagnosis there’s a belief that it has strengthened their love.
  “He’s always been my rock. (When we got his diagnosis) I was scared of losing my best friend, my husband,” Melissa noted. “But I firmly believe this experience has deepened my bond, and my love for him.”
  Melissa was first diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2019. Then five years later, her
  
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• Guest columnist: Be present, listen to teens

  17-09-2026 05:05 via state-journal.com
  
  Back-to-school season can present challenges and opportunities as a parent. Relaxed summer schedules are replaced with classes, homework, and extracurriculars, and the transition to a new semester can be both exciting and stressful.
  Fortunately, the school year is full of everyday moments parents and caregivers can use to check in on their kids. Whether it’s an early breakfast before school, the commute home, or an after-school FaceTime call from work, these small moments can let kids know
  
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• Guest columnist: The real value of journalism

  17-09-2026 05:01 via state-journal.com
  
  The news earlier this month that 13 skilled journalists in Lexington were laid off was heartbreaking but also frightening.
  The suggestion that AI can replace reporters who are trained to observe, interpret, and ask the tough questions is unrealistic. AI is a tool and a resource, but it cannot replace a human reporter.
  The real danger here is the declining number of journalists in the field. It is not just newspapers. We have witnessed veteran broadcast journalists who have been sidelined as TV g
  
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• Guest columnist: Enrollment cliff can create pathways for working Kentuckians

  17-09-2026 05:01 via state-journal.com
  
  For years, higher education leaders in Kentucky have been discussing and preparing for the “enrollment cliff,” the long-anticipated decline in the number of traditional college-age students following the Great Recession. That moment has arrived. The number of U.S. high school graduates peaked in 2025 and is projected to decline in the years ahead, prompting institutions everywhere to rethink enrollment strategies and long-term sustainability.
  The demographic challenge is clear. But t
  
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• Tommy Druen: That’s how we’ve always done it

  17-09-2026 05:00 via state-journal.com
  Every August, a man in the small Scottish town of South Queensferry gets covered head to toe in burrs. Yes, burrs, those prickly little nuisances that stick to your socks. Thousands of them. His neighbors weave flowers into the mass, press a decorated staff into each of his hands, and parade him through town for seven miles and nine hours.
  He stops at pubs along the way. This is Scotland, after all. Since his face is completely covered, he drinks the free whiskey offered him through a straw.
  It
  
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• Police, fire blotter (Sept. 15)

  17-09-2026 05:00 via state-journal.com
  
  The following calls were received by the Frankfort Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Frankfort Fire and EMS and Franklin County Fire Department on Tuesday:
  • At 5:43 a.m., officers took a theft report on East Main Street. A caller reported the driver’s door of a Nissan Versa was wide open.
  • At 9:53 a.m., deputies at the sheriff’s office on River Bend Road took a fraud complaint.
  • At 1:20 p.m., deputies took a theft report at Shell Five Star o
  
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• Letter: Comer should release unredacted Epstein files

  17-09-2026 05:00 via state-journal.com
  Dear editor,
  In the course of human events there comes a time for people to rise up against the injustice committed against them.
  As citizens, we know there are certain crimes which cannot be excused or forgiven — crimes attacking our children. Therefore, we must act and compel those who can to act.
  We must force Rep. James Comer, representing the 1st Congressional District of Kentucky, to act. As chairman of the House Oversight Committee, with one wave of his pen he can force the Departme
  
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• Carl Pryse Williams Jr.

  16-09-2026 23:31 via state-journal.com
  LAWRENCEBURG — Services for Carl Pryse Williams Jr., 94, will be 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at First Baptist Church, 111 N. Main St., Lawrenceburg. Burial will follow in Lawrenceburg Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be noon until the time of service Friday at the church. Williams died Sunday, Sept. 13.
  
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• Janice Johnson

  16-09-2026 14:49 via state-journal.com
  
  Janice Carol Montfort Johnson, age 76, passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2026. Services will be held at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Lee Meadows officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Thursday.Janice was born in Frankfort on September 17, 1949, to the late Dallas Clarence Montfort and Edna Mae Hammond Whisman. She retired from Gene
  
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