Kentucky news

• Roger Crittenden

  09-09-2026 20:16 via state-journal.com
  
  Judge Roger Crittenden, former Franklin County District and Circuit Judge, died September 7, 2026. He was born July 15, 1945, and was 81 years old.
  Judge Crittenden was preceded in death by his parents, Emitt and Marie Crittenden; and an infant sister, Mary Jeanette.
  Judge Crittenden is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patty Shannon; son, Ben (Amy); daughter, Laura Tipton (David); grandchildren, Beatrice Crittenden, Elliott Crittenden, Levi Tipton, Wesley Tipton; stepgranddaughter, Layton Tipto
  
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• Metcalf wins gold at Bluegrass State, Kentucky Senior Games

  10-09-2026 04:38 via state-journal.com
  
  Beverly Metcalf, 74, competed in the Bluegrass State Games and the Kentucky Senior Games this summer, winning a combined seven medals in the two events.
  
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• Kentucky Blood Center plans 9/11 blood drive

  10-09-2026 04:38 via state-journal.com
  
  Twenty-five years ago, the United States faced some of its darkest hours with the attacks on 9/11. In the wake of that evil, donors showed compassion for their fellow Americans and patriotism for their country by flooding blood centers to give blood and ensure victims of the attack had the lifesaving products they needed.
  On the 25th anniversary, Kentucky Blood Center is asking donors to step up again and give blood Friday, Sept. 11, to assist with another crisis — a local and national blo
  
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• Guest columnist: What is Kentucky’s congressional delegation up to?

  10-09-2026 04:37 via state-journal.com
  
  I have been wondering recently about the value our congressional delegation adds to our commonwealth. I looked up how much our delegation costs the taxpayers, and it turns out (according to AI) that we spend $30.9 million dollars per year on the Kentucky delegation. That includes $9.3 million for our two senators and $20.1 million for our six congressional representatives. That begs the question of what value they are adding.Let’s review:
  I can think of little that Sen. Rand Paul has done
  
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• Guest columnist: America’s great bi-partisan predicament

  10-09-2026 04:37 via state-journal.com
  
  America has a “left/right/center” problem.
  People on the left, people on the right, and independent folks in the political center have no earthly understanding of when or how the country steps into the deep, dark doodoo of kingship.
  Monarchy has been on the political menu for thousands of years, but 21st century Americans know little about it.
  Those on the “conservative” far right have been talked into believing those on the bleeding-heart left are pushing the country tow
  
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• Police, fire blotter (Sept. 8)

  10-09-2026 04:36 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 noon, deputies took a theft report at Frankfort Bottle Shop on KY 151. A caller reported that a male stole several bottles, and that there was video footage of the theft.
  • At 4:49 p.m., city firefighters and EMS were called to a smoke smell on Schenkel Lane.
  • At 5:40 p.m., officers took a fraud
  
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• Letter: September is National Honey Month

  10-09-2026 04:36 via state-journal.com
  Dear editor,
  Every year, the U.S. consumes approximately 450 million pounds of honey, but in 2025, domestic honey producers produced only 116 million pounds of honey, a drop of 14% since 2024 and the lowest production figure since records started being kept in 1939. To make up the difference, honey packers trans-ship honey from other countries, some of which adulterate honey with molasses, corn syrup or more recently, rice syrup.
  Consumers have become aware of the critical role honey bees play i
  
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• Guest columnist: Kentucky’s aluminum Jobs nearly got sold down the river

  10-09-2026 04:36 via state-journal.com
  
  Kentucky is one of the last strongholds of aluminum manufacturing in the United States. America once led the world in aluminum production, but decades of subsidized imports have withered that ability away. Today, many of the industry’s remaining jobs are concentrated in the plants that turn metal into products — extruders and rolling mills. These are the jobs that were nearly traded away during recent trade talks with Canada.
  It made headlines when the Trump administration’s ne
  
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• Honett finds new career teaching with service dog at his side

  10-09-2026 04:34 via state-journal.com
  
  Brian Honett planned to make the Air Force his career, and being an elementary school teacher was never on his radar.
  But through a series of life changes, Honett is a fourth grade science and social studies teacher at Collins Lane with his service dog, Dee, at his side.
  Honett was medically retired with PTSD from the Air Force after 13 years and nine deployments, a decision he didn’t agree with.
  “I really enjoyed what I was doing,” he said. “I had planned on staying in.
  
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• Guest columnist: Democrats’ key to winning the midterms

  10-09-2026 04:33 via state-journal.com
  
  American voters desperately want relief from rising prices — especially the increasingly unaffordable cost of healthcare. Democrats have a plan for that.
  Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren recently introduced the Break Up Big Medicine Act, a bill that would split up the huge conglomerates that have made the current healthcare system so expensive and frustrating to navigate. Businessman Mark Cuban recently quipped that breaking up these near-monopolies could bring costs down by 40%.
  If Dem
  
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• Western Hills’ football team loses to Henry County

  10-09-2026 04:32 via state-journal.com
  Western Hills’ football team lost to Henry County 51-15 Friday at WHHS.
  The Wolverines’ homestand continues this Friday when they host Washington County.
  
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• PHOTOS: Frankfort High School boys soccer team defeats Carroll County 7-1

  09-09-2026 22:09 via state-journal.com
  
  Frankfort High School boys soccer team beat Carroll County High School 7-1 on Thursday, Sept. 3, at Capitol View Park.
  
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• Trent Gaylord

  09-09-2026 21:02 via state-journal.com
  LAWRENCEBURG — A Celebration of Life for Trent Paul Gaylord, 63, husband of Carrie Kordana Gaylord, will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Ninevah Christian Church. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at the church. An additional Celebration of Life service will be held in Massachusetts. The service will be announced at a later date but is being planned for early November. Gaylord died Sept. 5 at his home in Anderson County.
  
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• Nancy Lynn Gum

  09-09-2026 20:21 via state-journal.com
  Nancy Lynn Gum, 79, formerly of Frankfort, passed away at her home in Bonita Springs, Florida, on June 27, 2026.
  Nancy’s ashes will be interred at a graveside ceremony on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the Frankfort Cemetery. The Interment Ceremony will take place at her family’s burial plot, which is located in section M, the second section past Daniel Boone’s grave on the left.Following the service, everyone is invited to a luncheon.Nancy was born in Frankfort t
  
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• James Campbell

  09-09-2026 20:18 via state-journal.com
  LAWRENCEBURG — A memorial service for James “Oscar” Allen Campbell, 66, will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of service Sept. 19 at the funeral home. Campbell died Monday, Sept. 7.
  
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• Police, fire blotter (Sept. 4-7)

  08-09-2026 22:09 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 holiday weekend:
  Friday
  • At 7:36 a.m., deputies were called to a shots fired complaint on Oak Ridge Drive. A caller reported hearing three to 10 shots from what sounded like a pistol.
  • At 10:42 a.m., deputies were notified of an intoxicated driver on Lawrenceburg Road.
  • At 10:43 a.m., deputies were noti
  
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• Man facing four felonies after allegedly assaulting two women

  08-09-2026 22:09 via state-journal.com
  A Louisville man is accused of forcing his way into a local residence and assaulting two women on Aug. 31.
  At 9:05 p.m., Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a River Bend Road home in reference to a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, law enforcement noted that the front door had been damaged and was partially open, allegedly indicating that someone had forced their way into the residence.
  Inside, deputies located three women and two small children hiding in a bedroom close
  
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• Glitterbugs place second at Morning Pointe Foundation ‘Seniors Got Talent’ competition

  08-09-2026 22:09 via state-journal.com
  The Glitterbugs — a five-woman dance troupe from Frankfort — won the second-place trophy and $500 in the seventh annual Morning Pointe Foundation “Seniors Got Talent” competition at the Lexington Opera House on Sept. 1.
  Dressed in white sailor costumes trimmed in glittery red, the Glitterbugs danced to “Wellerman,” a 19th-century New Zealand folk song that originated among shore-whaling crews. The dance team included Sylvia Coffey, Julia Rome, Jan Fowler, Cris
  
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• Traditional Bank Athlete of the Week: Franklin County’s Rodgers having strong sophomore golf season

  08-09-2026 22:08 via state-journal.com
  Franklin County’s Mary Clayton Rodgers has followed a summer of stellar golf with a strong sophomore season for the Lady Flyer golf team.
  Rodgers, a sophomore, shot a team-best 74 Saturday in the Gene Hilen Invitational at Juniper Hill as the Lady Flyers finished fifth, and she has been named the Traditional Bank Athlete of the Week.
  One of Rodgers’ highlights from the summer was shooting a five-under par 66 with eight birdies and three bogeys.
  “I also played in several AJGA ev
  
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• Local sports calendar — Sept. 9-15, 2026

  08-09-2026 22:08 via state-journal.com
  GIRLS SOCCER: Frankfort hosts Great Crossing today at 7 p.m. Western Hills plays at Fairdale today at 6:30 p.m. WHHS is at home Saturday against Presentation at 10 a.m., and the Lady Wolverines play at Shelby County Monday at 7:30 p.m. The Frankfort Christian Academy hosts Carroll County Thursday at 6 p.m. and Harrison County Saturday at 8 p.m.
  BOYS SOCCER: The Frankfort Christian Academy plays at Western Hills Thursday at 7 p.m. The Royals are at home Saturday against Williamstown at 6:30 p.m.
  
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• Franklin County’s girls golf team takes fifth place at Hilen Invitational

  08-09-2026 22:08 via state-journal.com
  
  The late Gene Hilen loved youth golf, and he would have loved to see the tournament in his honor Saturday at Juniper Hill.
  The 30th Gene Hilen Invitational, named for the longtime Juniper Hill pro, drew 17 teams and 90 players, including Franklin County and Frankfort High.
  FCHS placed fifth in the team standings, led by sophomore Mary Clayton Rodgers, who tied for fourth place with a two-over par 74.
  “The girls would be the first to tell you that we certainly would have liked to play bette
  
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• Joe Lacy Lancaster Jr.

  08-09-2026 21:30 via state-journal.com
  LAWRENCEBURG — Services for Joe Lacy Lancaster Jr., 66, husband of Jill Lancaster, will be noon Friday at Lawrenceburg United Methodist Church. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home. Lancaster died Monday, Sept. 7.
  
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• James Phillip Burgess

  08-09-2026 21:28 via state-journal.com
  LAWRENCEBURG — Services for James Phillip Burgess, 39, son of Wayne and Angela Hope Burgess, will be 1 p.m. Friday at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the funeral home. Memorials in memory of Burgess are suggested to Shelby’s Way, which brings awareness to suicide prevention. Send donations to Shelby’s Way, 845 Contract St., Lexington, KY 40505, or visit https://shelbysway.com/donate/. He died Monday, Sept. 7, in L
  
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• The county fair

  08-09-2026 19:51 via state-journal.com
  
  The county fair is a rite of passage for the summer, and I can’t think of anything that is more Americana.
  It harkens back to a day when counties were predominantly rural. Local farmers brought their very best calves, pigs, and chickens to be judged. Others showcased their produce or homemade goods. The presenters were usually teenagers who had tended the livestock and produce.
  Along with the agricultural side of attractions is the glitzier side of the carnival midway, full of rides to giv
  
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• Allen Clark Rowland

  08-09-2026 18:20 via state-journal.com
  LAWRENCEBURG — Services for Allen Clark Rowland, 85, will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at First Baptist Church, 111 N. Main St., Lawrenceburg. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home, 701 N. Main St., Lawrenceburg, and 10 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the church. Condolences may be shared at www.ritchieandpeach.com. Rowland died Friday, Sept. 4.
  
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• JoAnna Spalding

  08-09-2026 17:12 via state-journal.com
  
  March 22, 1949-September 2, 2026JoAnn Spalding passed away Wednesday morning after a long battle with dementia.She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Spalding; her parents, Jessie McGohon and Lawrence Poe; siblings, Freddie Blackburn, Mason Poe, Ronald Poe, Wanda Gay, Larry Poe and Scotty Poe.She is survived by her daughters, Melissa Miller, Robin Upchurch and Stephanie Miller; grandchildren, Josh Upchurch Corey Harris, Ashley Harris, Lauren Miller, Lyndsi Tingle and Ian Miller
  
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• Larry Noble Updike

  08-09-2026 16:09 via state-journal.com
  
  Larry Noble Updike, 87, passed peacefully on September 3, 2026.
  Larry was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, on August 27, 1939, to his doting parents Nash and Elizabeth Updike.Larry was a proud ’58 graduate of Elkhorn High School where he lettered in football and chorus, was voted best “Best Personality,” and began his extraordinary life. After high school, Larry embarked on his next adventure as a gunner in the U.S. Army, which took him to Germany where he, as everyone who encounte
  
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• CARTOON: MAGA — Make America Gas Abhorrent

  08-09-2026 15:13 via state-journal.com
  
  CARTOON: MAGA — Make America Gas Abhorrent
  
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• PHOTOS: Western Hills High School and Kentucky State University marching bands put on halftime show

  08-09-2026 04:50 via state-journal.com
  
  The Kentucky State University Mighty Marching Thorobreds performed with the Western Hills High School Marching Band during halftime of the football game against Henry County Friday at WHHS.
  
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• Frankfort’s boys soccer team loses All ‘A’ tournament game in shootout

  08-09-2026 04:42 via state-journal.com
  
  It took two nights to decide the match, but Danville’s boys soccer team defeated Frankfort 2-1 Sunday night at Capitol View Park.
  The match was the first round of the All “A” state tournament, and with the win Danville advances to the quarterfinals Sept. 26 at Louisville Collegiate.
  The match began Saturday night, and play was suspended because of lightning with 38:11 left in the game and no score.
  Play resumed Sunday night at the point it was stopped on Saturday. Phillip Kittr
  
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