Kentucky news

• Carol Rawlings

  13-11-2026 19:59 via State-Journal
  
  Carol Rawlings of Frankfort died peacefully Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the age of 96. She was born and raised in Jamestown, New York, and Carol’s parents Milton and May Johnson both descended from Swedish immigrants, a point of pride that Carol carried throughout her life.
  She graduated from the Rochester New York School of Nursing in 1951 where she met her husband, Dr. John T. Rawlings, during his internship. After their marriage, Carol and John lived briefly in Arlington, Virginia, and l
  
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• Hancock elected as House Democratic Whip

  13-11-2026 05:30 via State-Journal
  
  Fresh off her uncontested re-election as 57th District Representative last week, Erika Hancock was elected to serve on the Kentucky House Democrats’ leadership team for the 2027 legislative session.
  In just her second term, she will serve as House Democratic Whip. The elections took place Wednesday at a House Democratic Caucus conference in Paducah.
  Hancock, who joins the leadership team for the first time, said she looks forward to helping the growing caucus build on its momentum.
  “It’s e
  
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• Musicians present ‘What is Love?’ at Church of the Ascension

  13-11-2026 05:29 via State-Journal
  
  Dr. Bryan Bolzenthal, a lyric baritone, was accompanied by pianist Dr. Patricia Barnes Griffith in a program entitled “What is Love?” Sunday afternoon in the Parish Hall at the Church of the Ascension — Episcopal on Washington Street.
  Bolzenthal is a member of the music faculty at Kentucky State University. Griffith is a retired member of the KSU music faculty.
  The presentation was described in the program as “an exploration of the different aspects of love … friendship, youth, heartac
  
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• Applications open for Franklin County Fire Department toy drive

  13-11-2026 05:29 via State-Journal
  
  The joy and festivity of the holiday season, more often than not, is contrasted with a time of sorrow and despair for others.As some families struggle, groups such as the Franklin County Fire Department (FCFD) are receptive to giving families and their children a Christmas to remember.Applications for the department’s toy drive remain open until Nov. 20 for families seeking assistance, and are open for babies to kids age 12. Applications for the toy drive can be made online at www.fcfdtoydrive
  
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• Cosmic Games & Toys opens space for gaming community

  13-11-2026 05:28 via State-Journal
  
  When Star Wars debuted on the silver screen in May 1977, Leo Williamson was just a child. As the owner of Cosmic Games & Toys, his love of science fiction never waned.With an impulse to share his love, he created the store where open play, community and gaming could co-exist.Located at 234 W. Main St. right in the heart of downtown, Cosmic Games & Toys boasts a wide array of toys from various sci-fi franchises, with most of the priced selection collected by Williamson. The location addit
  
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• Turkey Extravaganza Sunday at Monte Carlo Venue

  13-11-2026 05:27 via State-Journal
  
  Bridging the Gap’s Turkey Extravaganza will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Monte Carlo Venue, 260 Versailles Road. The event includes a turkey giveaway while supplies last, games, music, community resources, winter essential giveaway and more.For more information, call 502-219-5534 or visit www.bridgingthegapky.com.
  
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• Veterans honored during program at Franklin County Farmers Market pavilion

  13-11-2026 05:26 via State-Journal
  
  The Frankfort Daughters of the American Revolution and the VFW Post 4075 hosted a Veterans Day program on Wednesday at the Franklin County Farmers Market pavilion.
  The keynote speaker was John Presley, a Vietnam veteran, past VFW commander, and owner of the Office Pub and Deli. Presley also served as the Grand Marshal in the Veterans Day Parade on Saturday.Other community leaders in attendance were recent city commissioner-elect Katrisha Waldridge, Mayor Layne Wilkerson, Franklin County Judge-Ex
  
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• Police, fire blotter (Nov. 10-11)

  13-11-2026 05:26 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 Tuesday and Wednesday:
  Tuesday
  • At 10:29 a.m., officers were called to a non-injury motor vehicle accident on the West Plaza Connector.
  • At 10:42 a.m., city firefighters and EMS were called to a possible gas leak on Holmes Street.
  • At 10:50 a.m., officers and deputies responded to a non-injury motor vehicle accident on E
  
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• KSUNAA-Frankfort Chapter to meet Saturday

  13-11-2026 05:25 via State-Journal
  
  Frankfort area members of the Kentucky State University National Alumni Association (KSUNAA)-Frankfort Chapter, and anyone interested in becoming a member, are invited to attend the upcoming chapter meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the KSU Alumni House on the KSU campus.
  New Chapter officers — Katrisha Waldridge (president), Rachel Yett (vice president), Jamar Moton (treasurer), Asiah Sims (corresponding secretary) and Charmar Green (recording secretary) — will be sworn in for the 2026-2027
  
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• Guest columnist: Energy and infrastructure permitting breakthrough within reach

  13-11-2026 05:25 via State-Journal
  
  Congress is typically the last place to look for consensus. But even with all the chaos in Washington these days, there is hope — a bipartisan group of senators recently advanced legislation to slash the bureaucratic red tape blocking new, critically necessary energy and infrastructure projects across America.
  Republican and Democratic senators joined together to introduce the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) of 2026. The legislation is intended to finally solve a major a
  
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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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• 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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• 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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