Kentucky news

• Old downtown YMCA site could become housing, linear park

  19-08-2026 04:35 via state-journal.com
  
  The company charged with developing the former downtown YMCA site — also known as Parcel C — is considering several concepts, including potentially multi-family housing and a linear park.
  “We’re not at liberty just yet to share any visual renderings,” said Megan Walsen, who, along with fellow Red Draw Development principal and developer Garyen Denning, provided an update to the Frankfort Board of Commissioners at the Aug. 10 meeting.
  “The timing of that projec
  
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• Franklin County football team looks to build on recent success

  19-08-2026 04:47 via state-journal.com
  
  Franklin County’s football team has been on a roll this decade, advancing to the Class 4A state championship game three out of six years.
  FCHS lost some key members off last year’s team, which went 14-1 with its loss coming in the state title game, but the Flyers aren’t starting from scratch.
  “On paper it probably looks a little worse than it is,” FCHS coach Eddie James said about the team’s losses. “We have a really good group of young kids that have ki
  
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• Measles outbreak reported in Owen, other counties

  19-08-2026 04:39 via state-journal.com
  Kentucky health officials have confirmed an ongoing measles outbreak in Kentucky and announced that the state has had more confirmed cases of measles in 2026 than in any year since 1991.“This is the largest measles outbreak Kentucky has experienced in many years,” said Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Dr. Steven Stack. “Measles is almost entirely preventable for those who have had two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and we urge all parent
  
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• Franklin Circuit Court indictments (Aug. 18)

  19-08-2026 04:39 via state-journal.com
  
  The following people were indicted by a Franklin Circuit Court grand jury on Tuesday:
  • Katherine Sainte, 40, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, three counts of willfully filing or making false tax returns or failure to pay tax, a Class D felony.
  • David P. Pittman, 26, of Frankfort, convicted felon in possession of a handgun and enhanced first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), first offense, both Class C felonies; second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot
  
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• Western Hills’ football team looks to continuity, stability for improved results

  19-08-2026 04:38 via state-journal.com
  
  Football can be about more than X’s and O’s. It can be about culture and building momentum.
  Justin Franklin, in his first year as head coach at Western Hills, is working to add continuity and stability to a program that has been through a lot of changes in the past few years.
  “We do have quite a few of the starters,” he said about this year’s team. “Now some of the statistical leaders were seniors, but there’s a core group of seniors that are back that w
  
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• Frankfort’s football team eyeing improvement with more organization, structure

  19-08-2026 04:37 via state-journal.com
  
  After struggling through a tough year, Frankfort High’s football team is looking to get back on track this season.
  The Panthers went 0-10 last year. Dwight Sutton is the new head coach, taking over from Yogi Davis.
  “They’re coming in and working hard and getting acclimated to me as I get acclimated to them,” Sutton said about the Panthers. “Any time you’re a coach and you take over people say the same thing, we have to change the culture, we have to change thi
  
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• Frankfort’s Kennedy qualifies for All ‘A’ state golf tournament

  19-08-2026 04:30 via state-journal.com
  
  Frankfort senior Jack Kennedy has qualified for the All “A” boys state golf tournament.
  The Panthers competed in the 11th Region All “A” tournament, a nine-hole event, Friday at Picadome in Lexington.
  One team and two individuals not on that team qualified for the state tournament.
  Kennedy and three other players shot a 37 and had to go to a four-man playoff for the final qualifying spot.
  Kennedy birdied the first playoff hole to clinch the playoff and advance to the stat
  
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• DMTL and KSU College of Agriculture to host A Healthy KSU 3K and Health Fair

  19-08-2026 04:29 via state-journal.com
  
  DMTL (Delores, Marcel, Tyrie, Larry) Organization and Kentucky State University’s (KSU) College of Agriculture will host A Healthy KSU 3K & Health Fair on Saturday at KSU’s campus in Frankfort. The event’s vision is to combat food disparities and bridge gaps toward achieving health equity in
  Frankfort.
  Registration will begin at 8 a.m.; opening remarks will be at 9 a.m.; and the 3K run/walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. From 10 a.m. to noon, there will be programming and a health
  
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• Frankfort man arrested after trying to enter home with gun

  19-08-2026 04:28 via state-journal.com
  
  Frankfort Police arrested a local man after he reportedly tried to enter a Holmes Street residence armed with a gun early Sunday.
  Officers were notified of a suspicious person at the back door of the home shortly after 1 a.m. While law enforcement was talking with the homeowner, a bystander observed the suspect running down the road. Officers pursued the male — later identified as David Pittman — and cornered him in a pile of brush. He refused multiple commands to come out of the bru
  
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• ‘Phil’-ing in: Bee antlers and baked goods

  19-08-2026 04:26 via state-journal.com
  
  The call came early in the week of Spellapalooza, which was held on Friday, Aug. 7, at the Thorn Hill Education Center. It went something like this:
  “Phil, this is Caroline Collins.”
  “What can I do for you, Caroline?” I asked.
  “You know Spellapalooza is coming up,” she said, “and I need help at the bake sale table. I think it would fit perfectly with your new series on volunteering.”
  “It would. And Linda Younkin just wrote a preview about it
  
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• Old-school Malachi Wood making his dream come true

  19-08-2026 04:26 via state-journal.com
  
  If you want to call Kentucky offensive lineman Malachi Wood an old-school type of person, he’s fine with that.
  The former three-star prospect from Madison Central picked Kentucky over other schools because he wanted to stay close to home. He redshirted in 2023, made 10 starts in 2024, and then was in for only 43 snaps in 2025. However, rather than transfer looking for additional playing time like many players are doing, Wood wanted to stick it out at Kentucky.
  Now he’s in position to
  
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• Police, fire blotter (Aug. 17)

  19-08-2026 04:25 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 Monday:
  • At 7:09 a.m., county firefighters were called to a possible gas leak on Leestown Road.
  • At 10:35 a.m., officers took an assault report at Hickory Hills Apartments on Marlowe Court. A caller reported that a male assaulted her.
  • At 11:42 a.m., deputies responded to a non-injury motor vehicle accident
  
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• Local sports calendar — Aug. 26-25, 2026

  19-08-2026 04:25 via state-journal.com
  BOYS GOLF: Franklin County plays a CKBC match today at Shelby County. The Flyers play in the Harrison County Invitational Saturday and will take on Frankfort Monday at Juniper Hill. FHS has a CKBC match Thursday against Anderson County at Wild Turkey Trace, and the Panthers play a CKBC match Tuesday at Juniper Hill against Sayre.
  GIRLS GOLF: Frankfort plays Gallatin County Thursday at Lakeview, and Franklin County will compete in the Barren County Trojanettes Invitational Saturday at Willow Oaks
  
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• Fiscal court discusses property tax rate

  19-08-2026 04:24 via state-journal.com
  
  The fiscal court discussed the possibility of lowering the real property tax rate at its Wednesday meeting with County Treasurer Amy Quatman, who addressed her perspective.
  “My recommendation to the court is to adopt the rate of 0.179, this will generate $7.3 million in revenue,” Quatman said to the court. “So for taxpayers, this will mean the tax will be $179 for every $100,000 of property value.” So the rate would be going from 0.183 to 0.179.”
  A special hearing a
  
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• The purpose behind Frankfort Cares: A Shelley Hearn Heart Project set for Aug. 29

  19-08-2026 04:23 via state-journal.com
  
  As Shelley Hearn entered the final months of her career as a social worker for the City of Frankfort, her focus wasn’t on retirement — it was on the work that still needed to be done.
  After years spent helping some of the most vulnerable members of our community, Hearn saw one need that demanded immediate attention — more resources to help individuals experiencing homelessness get back on their feet and successfully transition back into the community.
  Sometimes the things stand
  
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• Lois Pulliam

  18-08-2026 22:05 via state-journal.com
  
  LAWRENCEBURG — Lois Bell Roach Pulliam, 83, wife of the late Charles Douglas “Doug” Pulliam, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2026, at Signature Healthcare at Heritage Hall in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. She was born on February 17, 1943, in Shelby County, Kentucky, to the late James W. Roach and Catherine Thompson Roach.
  Lois was a graduate of Kentucky State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She dedicated much of her professional life to public service,
  
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• Dorothy Banta

  18-08-2026 21:40 via state-journal.com
  
  Dorothy Jean Raisor Banta, 87, of Frankfort, died on Sunday, the 16th day of August, 2026, at the Bradford Square Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Born in Defoe, Kentucky, on the 23rd day of June in 1939, she was the daughter of the late Hilton Vaughan and Pauline Erwin Raisor.
  After many years working in various factories, Dorothy took a job with the state of Kentucky where she learned computer coding and computer hardware installation, eventually retiring from the Department of Health Serv
  
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• CARTOON: Queen of Hearts

  18-08-2026 19:52 via state-journal.com
  
  CARTOON: Queen of Hearts
  
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• Ronald Allen Moore

  18-08-2026 17:24 via state-journal.com
  A Celebration of Life service for Ronald Allen Moore, 81, husband of Gloria Moore, will be 11 a.m. Friday at LeCompte Johnson Taylor Funeral Home. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.ljtfuneralhome.com. Moore died Sunday.
  
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• Walter Lee Bowen

  18-08-2026 17:21 via state-journal.com
  It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Walter Lee Bowen, age 87, of Frankfort, who passed away on August 12, 2026. Born on September 3, 1938, Walter was the son of the late Isaac Bowen and Goldie Bowen.
  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. After his military service, he built a dedicated career working for the Frankfort Plant Board, where he retired after many years of service.
  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judith Ann Bowen.He is survived by his two daugh
  
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• Simon House celebrates mural, milestone

  18-08-2026 05:04 via state-journal.com
  
  Donuts, coffee, and camaraderie filled the room Friday at the Simon House as the organization celebrated a piece of history and art.
  The event honored Executive Director Tasha Gray’s fifth anniversary at the Simon House.
  Beginning in August 2021, Gray began as a part-time administrative assistant. In 2023, she was then promoted to administrative community services manager. Since May 2024, Gray has held the role of executive director.
  Additionally, the occasion also unveiled the new mural l
  
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• BJ’s Wholesale Club membership center opens Friday

  18-08-2026 05:02 via state-journal.com
  
  Ahead of this fall’s store opening, BJ’s Wholesale Club’s membership center will open at 9 a.m. on Friday.
  A one-year BJ’s Club membership is $20 and a BJ’s Club+ membership costs $50 annually. This limited-time founding member offer is valid through Nov. 12.
  Those who sign up for one year with BJ’s Easy Renewal will get an additional 10 cents per gallon off gasoline at BJ’s Gas for the first six months. Guests who purchase the BJ’s Club+ membershi
  
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• Police, fire blotter (Aug. 14-16)

  18-08-2026 04:59 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 over the weekend:
  Friday
  • At 1:59 a.m., deputies were notified of a stolen vehicle on Benson Valley Road.
  • At 7:27 a.m., officers, city fire, and EMS conducted a fire investigation on Owenton Avenue.
  • At 8:12 a.m., officers were called to an assault at Valley View Trailer Park on Holmes Street. A caller reporte
  
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• Letter: Paul’s misuse of time, energy on display

  18-08-2026 04:57 via state-journal.com
  Dear editor,
  We all have only so much time and energy. With that in mind, Sen. Rand Paul chose to use his to lead a vicious attack on Dr. Anthony Fauci on July 29. It was painful to watch. Dr. Fauci’s diary entries, meant for his eyes only, were used to discredit and embarrass him. (The lesson here: Don’t put personal stuff on a work computer.)I can think of more productive ways Paul could have used his time to benefit his constituents and the public in general. How about working on
  
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• Jackson reappointed to Motor Vehicle Commission

  18-08-2026 04:56 via state-journal.com
  Gov. Andy Beshear has reappointed Frankfort resident Ronald Jackson to the Motor Vehicle Commission.
  Jackson, who is retired, will serve a term expiring July 1, 2029.
  
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• Guest columnist: The war we lost before it began

  18-08-2026 04:56 via state-journal.com
  
  A president can declare victory. He cannot make it true.
  Wars are won when military force achieves a political objective, not when a president announces that the enemy has been defeated.
  America has repeatedly forgotten that distinction. It loses wars not because its soldiers lack courage, weapons or skill, but because political leaders replace professional judgment with loyalty, confuse destruction with strategy and mistake confidence for competence.
  Washington has repeated that mistake for gen
  
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• Patsy Chadwell

  17-08-2026 23:10 via state-journal.com
  LAWRENCEBURG — Services for Patsy Bell Robinson Chadwell, 71, will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the funeral home. Chadwell died Sunday, Aug. 16.
  
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• Created equal, a women’s history event set for Aug. 22

  17-08-2026 04:17 via state-journal.com
  
  What did colonial women do during the Revolutionary War? Not much, you may think.
  To help dispel that thought, their story will be the focus of a presentation, “Created Equal — Revolutionary Women’s Stories and Songs,” beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, on the porch at Liberty Hall, Wilkinson Street. All are invited.
  Here’s a little about some of the women of that time and their deeds:
  We have heard about Betsy Ross sewing the flag and about Martha Washington,
  
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• West Sixth Farm disc golf course among best

  16-08-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  West Sixth Farm has been ranked among the top 15 disc golf courses at a brewery by UDisc, an organization that promotes the sport, participation, and infrastructure.
  The 120-acre farm, where West Sixth Brewing grows ingredients for its beers, is located at 4495 Shadrick Ferry Road.
  Based on ratings from players, UDisc ranked the top 25 disc golf courses at breweries. West Sixth Farm placed 12th. The rankings span 13 states and two Canadian provinces. West Sixth Farm is the only Kentucky course n
  
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• Community calendar

  16-08-2026 18:00 via state-journal.com
  
  Saturday, Aug. 15
  Noon: Joy in the Park will take place at Dolly Graham Park, 225 River St. Bring the whole family for an afternoon filled with food, fun, fellowship and community. This is more than just a cookout, it’s a celebration of the launch of Black Girl Joy Inc. The event includes free food while supplies last, music, a bounce house, games and activities, giveaways and more.
  Sunday, Aug. 16
  11 a.m.: Green Hill Missionary Baptist Church will host its 135th anniversary celebration at
  
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