Kentucky news

• Canda Leigh Ritchey

  12-11-2026 21:25 via State-Journal
  
  Services for Canda Leigh Ritchey, 63, of Lawrenceburg, will be noon Monday, Nov. 16, at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday at the funeral home. Ritchey died Tuesday, Nov. 10.
  
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• Levi Elmer Holmes

  12-11-2026 21:28 via State-Journal
  
  LAWRENCEBURG — No public services for Levi Elmer Holmes, 89, are scheduled. Arrangements are under the direction of Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home. Holmes died Wednesday, Nov. 11.
  
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• Joyce Miller

  12-11-2026 05:04 via State-Journal
  
  Services for Joyce Miller, 75, will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory. Miller died Tuesday.
  
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• Singing for peace, love and the voiceless

  11-11-2026 23:04 via State-Journal
  
  In 1972, racial tensions were still strongly prevalent across America, despite the abolition of Jim Crow Laws in 1965, which was also the year the Up With People non-profit international organization was established to “promote and fund initiatives that unite communities through cross-cultural understanding, service, music, and the arts,” according to www.upwithpeople.org.
  After reaching high school age in 1972, seven Frankfort women — who are still close friends today — joined the Up Wi
  
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• Letter: ‘I was 11 years old when smoking killed my dad’

  11-11-2026 22:58 via State-Journal
  Dear editor,
  In the late spring of 1998, I created a youth baseball league in Kentucky with an unusual message emblazoned across the back of their jerseys: “Smoking Kills.” Instead of receiving community support, our league was abruptly dragged onto the national stage of the American culture wars. National radio commentator Rush Limbaugh blasted the teams on his program, declaring he would be “more than a little embarrassed” to see his child used as an “ideological pawn” by holier-th
  
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• Ernie Lewis: With friends like these

  11-11-2026 22:58 via State-Journal
  
  Ukraine unilaterally disarmed. In 1994, four nuclear powers – Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances. This memorandum, among other provisions, prohibited Russia, the U.S., and the UK from threatening or using military force or economic coercion against Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Between 1993 and 1996, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons, relying on the U.S., among other nations, to protect it. It was left defensel
  
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• Letter: Wake up? ‘You can’t have it both ways’

  11-11-2026 22:57 via State-Journal
  Dear editor,It’s been a while since I have seen a more despicable and Islamophobic screed than Joe Sanderson’s opinion piece “Wake up, America” in the Nov. 7-8 State Journal.From his initial lamentation at the loss of the “good old days” when he slept at night with his doors unlocked and windows open while African Americans across the South slept in fear of a visit from the Klan to his gripe about God being taken out of public schools (he should familiarize himself with the Establish
  
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• Guest columnist: Wendell Berry on war and peace

  11-11-2026 22:57 via State-Journal
  
  “It is the rule that when one has one’s money invested in a machine, one does not wish to see the machine stand idle; the idleness of the machine means economic ruin.”
  Wendell Berry spoke in 1968 about the invention of the atomic bomb and its use in warfare. Why make it if you are not going to use it?
  On Aug. 31, Berry, a Kentucky writer, poet, environmentalist and farmer, passed away at the age of 92. He was a staunch advocate for peace, speaking and writing on the ills of the military co
  
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• Josephine Sculpture Park set to launch annual winter art market

  11-11-2026 22:56 via State-Journal
  
  Join in on the holiday cheer with Josephine Sculpture Park’s first annual Winter Art Market filled with fun, festivity, and a chance for families to come together.
  On Saturday, November 21, Josephine’s Winter Market offers guests an opportunity to discover unique, handmade gifts while supporting local and regional artisans, with as many as 20 making an appearance. From original artwork to handcrafted goods, the market is set to celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of the artisans who h
  
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• Franklin Circuit Court indictments (Nov. 10)

  11-11-2026 04:43 via State-Journal
  
  The following people were indicted by a Franklin Circuit Court grand jury on Tuesday:
  • Arita Misty Stanley, 42, of Shelbyville, six counts of willfully filing or making false tax returns or failure to pay tax, a Class D felony.
  • Jeremy Stanley, 55, of Shelbyville, six counts of willfully filing or making false tax returns or failure to pay tax, a Class D felony.
  • Herbert R. Horne Jr., 55, of Frankfort, theft by unlawful taking (more than $1,000, but less than $10,000), a Class D felony.
  
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• Police, fire blotter (Nov. 9)

  11-11-2026 04:42 via State-Journal
  
  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 Monday:
  • At 3:16 a.m., city firefighters and EMS were called to a smoke smell on Vandalay Drive.
  • At 9:38 a.m., officers were called to a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident on Leonardwood Drive.
  • At 11:01 a.m., officers responded to a non-injury motor vehicle accident on West Second Street near Steele Street.
  • At 11:1
  
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• KYTC: Alternating lane closures on U.S. 127 to start

  11-11-2026 04:42 via State-Journal
  
  Alternating lane closures on U.S. 127 (Lawrenceburg Road) in Franklin County will begin Monday.
  Alternating lane closures will be required on U.S. 127 (Lawrenceburg Road) at mile point 3.9 (at the U.S. 127 and Twilight Trail/Burlington Lane intersection) on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. The alternating lane closures are necessary for crews to upgrade traffic signal wiring, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
  During this work, the traffic signals will be
  
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• State assessment results show areas of improvement for local public school districts

  11-11-2026 04:39 via State-Journal
  For the two local public school districts, there was plenty of good news in the annual Kentucky Department of Education state assessment results.
  “We are very proud of our green (high) status overall and in reading and math at Frankfort High,” Frankfort Independent Schools Superintendent Dr. Sheri Satterly said. “In addition, FHS was also blue (very high) in graduation rate and postsecondary readiness.
  “At Second Street, we are proud of the number of areas where our students scored above
  
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• PHOTOS: Stewart Home & School football team attends Franklin County’s playoff game

  11-11-2026 04:38 via State-Journal
  
  The Stewart Home & School football team attended Franklin County’s playoff game Friday at Benny Watkins Field. The team was invited to the game by FCHS head coach Eddie James and his wife, Nikki. Stewart Home played a game on Sunday, defeating the Stride Cardinals 36-28 at George Rogers Clark.
  
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• Gillis tapped for Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners

  11-11-2026 04:38 via State-Journal
  
  A Frankfort resident was appointed to the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners by the governor recently.
  Griffin Gillis is the deputy director of the Kentucky Justice Association and will become its next CEO on Jan. 1. He replaces Laken Albrink, whose term has expired.
  He will serve for a term expiring on Nov. 3, 2030.
  
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• Traditional Bank Athlete of the Week: Franklin County’s Stallings runs with chance for bigger role

  11-11-2026 04:22 via State-Journal
  
  Franklin County senior Chris Stallings, a four-year member of the Flyer football team, has stepped into a leading role this year and he’s excelling.
  Stallings rushed for 83 yards on five carries Friday, averaging 16.6 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns in FCHS’ 49-0 win over Valley in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs.
  For his performance, Stallings has been named the Traditional Bank Athlete of the Week.
  Stallings, who has played in all 11 games this year, is the Flyers
  
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• Brenda Sanders

  10-11-2026 21:17 via State-Journal
  
  LAWRENCEBURG — Services for Brenda Sue Drury Sanders, 79, will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the funeral home. Sanders died Monday, Nov. 9.
  
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• Virginia S. Plaza

  10-11-2026 21:14 via State-Journal
  
  Services for Virginia S. Plaza, 90, will be 2 p.m. Friday at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be 1 p.m. until the time of service Friday at the funeral home. Condolences may be shared at www.harrodbrothers.com. Plaza died Saturday, Nov. 7.
  
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• Steven Russell Hart

  10-11-2026 17:32 via State-Journal
  
  Visitation for Steven Russell Hart, 73, will be 9-11 a.m. Thursday at Ritchie and Peach Funeral Home. Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Hart died Monday, Nov. 9.
  
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• John Gray

  10-11-2026 17:29 via State-Journal
  
  John Hardin Gray passed away on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the age of 80.
  He was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, on March 20, 1946, and was the eldest son of Col. Roy C. Gray, Jr. and Natalie Wheeler Gray.As the son of a career Marine Corps aviator, John spent his formative years living on or near the various military bases where his father was stationed, including in Tsingtao, China; Newport, Rhode Island; Costa Mesa, California; Beaufort, South Carolina; Stillwater, Oklahoma; and Hollywood, Mar
  
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• James E. Hayden

  10-11-2026 15:15 via State-Journal
  
  James “Jim” Edmond Hayden, age 77, of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away on October 27, 2026, at Maury Regional Medical Center.
  Born November 11, 1948, Jim was raised in Bridgeport, Kentucky, by the late William Arthur Hayden and Evelyn Smith Hayden.
  Jim was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend whose strength, kindness and generous heart touched the lives of everyone he met.
  Jim dedicated 40 years of his life working at Rogers Group, where he demonstrated
  
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• Franklin County’s football team shuts out Valley 49-0 in first round of playoffs

  10-11-2026 04:56 via State-Journal
  
  In its last home game this year, Franklin County’s football team showed its growth as the Flyers defeated Valley 49-0 in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs.
  “We’ve faced adversity along the way, but these kids, they just keep showing up,” FCHS coach Eddie James said. “There’s something to be said for the value in that. People have heard it all year, ‘we’re young, we’re young.’ They’re growing up, and they’re growing up the right way. We’re not rushing their
  
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• Candlelight Weekend kicks off Thursday in downtown Frankfort

  10-11-2026 04:56 via State-Journal
  
  Candlelight Weekend will kick off in downtown Frankfort on Thursday. The celebration will last through Saturday.
  Events are planned for 5-8 p.m. Thursday; 5-9 p.m. Friday; and 3-8 p.m. Saturday. Candlelight Weekend is presented by Commonwealth Credit Union and serves as kick-off for the holiday season.
  Event highlights include the lighting of the Christmas Tree Ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday joined by the KSU Marching Band and Stewart Home & School Choir; Horse Carriage Rides for all ages spons
  
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• Letter: ‘We must be better’

  10-11-2026 04:54 via State-Journal
  Dear editor,
  Seven people are accused of rape at Cornell University. One of the accused said if it wasn’t consensual and she was victimized, he felt sorry that he didn’t stop it.
  John Stuart Mill, 19th-century British philosopher, economist and member of Parliament, said, “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends than that good men should look on and do nothing.”
  First and foremost, justice and accountability must prevail.
  Sadly, one in two to three people are victims of sexual as
  
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• Guest columnist: Hidden billing practices raising healthcare costs

  10-11-2026 04:54 via State-Journal
  
  Sophisticated new mark-up schemes, provider consolidation, and dated diagnosis criteria are all impacting Kentuckians
  There is no single explanation for America’s high healthcare costs. But any serious effort to control them must start with hospitals.
  Between 2022 and 2024, hospital care accounted for $277 billion, or 40%, of the growth in national health spending, according to a KFF analysis. Those costs reach families through premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, businesses through employee b
  
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• Western Hills, Frankfort football seasons come to end

  10-11-2026 04:53 via State-Journal
  Western Hills and Frankfort High have wrapped up their football seasons.
  The Wolverines lost to North Oldham 57-0 Friday in the Class 4A state playoffs. WHHS ends its season at 2-9.
  FHS forfeited its first-round Class 1A state playoff game. The Panthers ended their season Oct. 30 with a 56-16 loss to Western Hills. Frankfort closed out the year with a 3-8 record.
  
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• Guest columnist: Don’t reinvent law that put a camera in your pocket

  10-11-2026 04:53 via State-Journal
  
  The tiny camera inside your smartphone traces its roots to a government research laboratory — and to a federal law that helped turn an experimental technology into something billions of people now use.
  In the 1990s, I led a team developing a new approach to digital imaging while working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Our “camera-on-a-chip” condensed much of a camera’s technology onto a semiconductor. The resulting complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor
  
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• Al Cross: Blue wave changes state’s political landscape, raises questions

  10-11-2026 04:53 via State-Journal
  
  Tuesday’s blue tsunami that gave Kentucky one more Democratic congressman, two more Democratic state senators and eight more Democratic state House members raises at least two questions: Would Gov. Andy Beshear have won the race for U.S. senator, and does the Democratic surge give that party more hope of electing a Democrat to succeed him next year?
  To both questions, the initial answer seems to be “Yes, but.”
  Given Beshear’s persistent popularity and President Donald Trump’s record un
  
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• Police, fire blotter (Nov. 6-8)

  10-11-2026 04:52 via State-Journal
  
  The following calls were received by the Frankfort Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Frankfort Fire and EMS and Franklin County Fire Department over the weekend:
  Friday
  • At 12:02 a.m., deputies were called to a non-injury motor vehicle accident on Interstate 64 East.
  • At 12:51 a.m., officers took a theft report at Speedway on Louisville Road. A caller reported a female shoplifter stole candy.
  • At 1:19 a.m., deputies responded to a non-injury motor vehicle accident o
  
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• Franklin County High School Band Bazaar set for Dec. 5

  10-11-2026 04:52 via State-Journal
  
  The Franklin County High School Band Bazaar will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at FCHS, 1100 E. Main St.
  More than 100 local craft vendors will be in attendance. There will also be concessions, a bake sale, a silent auction, and a raffle.
  
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