Kentucky news

• 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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• 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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• 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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• FCSO: Man tried to steal $235K worth of gold

  08-09-2026 04:41 via state-journal.com
  
  An undercover operation involving detectives from Franklin and Spencer counties netted a local man, who attempted to steal $235,000 worth of gold from an elderly female victim, on Thursday.
  According to his arrest citation, Rehankumar Mekvan posed as a representative from WesBanco and Microsoft Support and contacted the victim “falsely convincing her that she was implicated in an international money laundering scheme.” He allegedly instructed her to purchase gold bars and told her th
  
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• Guest columnist: How Kentucky hospitals are fighting sepsis together

  08-09-2026 04:40 via state-journal.com
  
  The death of NASCAR champion Kyle Busch earlier this year stunned millions of Americans. At just 41 years old, what began as pneumonia quickly progressed into sepsis, a medical emergency that claimed his life in a matter of days.
  For many people, it was their first time hearing the word sepsis. Unfortunately, too many families across Kentucky know that story all too well.
  Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming response to an infection. It can begin with something as common as pneumonia, the flu
  
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• Guest columnist: Future generations will inherit history of 9/11

  08-09-2026 04:40 via state-journal.com
  
  Twenty-five years after the attacks, a young Kentuckian’s white Navy cap stands as an example of what one generation owes the next.
  American Airlines Flight 77 was over eastern Kentucky when hijackers likely took control on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. They turned the plane south, then east toward Washington.
  At the Pentagon, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Earhart, 26, of Morehead, was working on a day he was supposed to be off. A colleague needed help, so he came in.
  Earhart’
  
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• South Frankfort Neighborhood Association adopts new president

  08-09-2026 04:39 via state-journal.com
  
  As a resident of the South Frankfort area, Chavon Sanford sees the South Frankfort Neighborhood Association (SFNA) as more than just a local group.
  “This is not just an organization I serve; this is my neighborhood and my community,” she said.Through recent board approval, Sanford has been elected president of the SFNA.
  A lover of Frankfort, her children are products of Frankfort Independent Schools and graduates of Frankfort High School, and she appreciates the togetherness and clos
  
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• Kentucky State’s football team outgains Southern in 34-15 loss

  08-09-2026 04:39 via state-journal.com
  
  Kentucky State’s football team mounted a third-quarter surge behind a pair of Juan Gainous touchdown passes and finished with a game-high 378 yards of offense, but the Thorobreds lost to Southern 34-15 Saturday night at A.W. Mumford Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
  Kentucky State controlled the opening quarter offensively, outgaining Southern 85-37 while running 18 plays. The Thorobreds’ defense also kept the Jaguars in check, limiting Southern to 37 yards in the period.
  With secon
  
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• You Asked: What is being built on Coffee Tree Road?

  07-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  A large construction project is underway between the Kentucky State Police training facility and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial off the East-West Connector.
  Ground was broken last fall for what will be a state-of-the-art Drivers’ Skill Pad for the Kentucky State Police’s training academy.
  The $2.7 million facility will provide law enforcement and cadets with a dedicated space to safely practice and refine advanced driving techniques. For example, the professionally engineered, paved d
  
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• Franklin County’s football team quiets concerns with 56-13 win over PRP

  07-09-2026 02:33 via state-journal.com
  
  Franklin County’s football team hadn’t lost two games in a row since 2022, and the Flyers’ 0-2 start had some fans concerned.
  “It’s just growing pains,” FCHS coach Eddie James said after the Flyers beat Pleasure Ridge Park 56-13 Friday at Benny Watkins Field. “I bet a hundred people have asked me what’s wrong? There’s nothing wrong. We’re getting better; we’re working.”
  The win was the first of the season for FCHS, which is
  
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• PHOTOS: Western Hills football team takes on Henry County

  07-09-2026 02:31 via state-journal.com
  
  Western Hills High School football team played Henry County High School Friday night at WHHS. Henry County won 51-15.
  
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• Yes Arts to host gallery reception for Central Kentucky Homemakers’ Quilt Guild members and stained glass artist Don Blue

  06-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  A gallery reception for “Opalescence” by Don Blue and for quilts made by the Central Kentucky Homemakers’ Quilt Guild (CKHQG), will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Yes Arts, located at 317 W. Second St.
  The CKHQG of Frankfort was established in August 1992. The guild’s mission is to foster the art of quilting, encourage appreciation and participation in quilt-making in all its forms, promote interest in quilting through education and fellowship, and support the community
  
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• Josephine Sculpture Park Artist-in-Residence Shawn Smith to preview new work at historic Rockdale Estate

  06-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  LOUISVILLE — Josephine Sculpture Park (JSP) Artist-in-Residence Shawn Smith will join artists, students, supporters and community members for a special evening at historic Rockdale Estate on Saturday, Sept. 12, offering an exclusive preview of his forthcoming sculpture installation at JSP and an inside look at the interdisciplinary practice behind his work.
  The evening will be the culmination of a collaborative experience bringing together JSP, Rockdale Estate, Blackacre Conservancy and Ab
  
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• Shepherd turns autobiography into stage play: ‘His Hand’ opens Friday, Sept. 11

  05-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  “His Hand” is a story about Betty Shepherd’s life growing up with an abusive alcoholic father in Southeastern Kentucky, the resilience of mountain folk and the Eastern Kentucky flood of 2022.“His Hand” opens at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, at First Presbyterian Church, 416 W. Main St. Additional showtimes are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13. The play is presented by the Frankfort Studio Players. The cost is $15 for adults an
  
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• Paul Sawyier Public Library News — Sept. 6-12, 2026

  05-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  Monday
  Closed for Labor Day.
  Tuesday
  4:30 p.m.: Build a Bee Bath (for families with kids of all ages). Fall is almost here, and the bees are still at it! Help them quench their thirst by making and decorating some bee baths!
  4:30 p.m.: Disco Ball Painting (for grades 6-12). Get into your disco era! Come paint colorful disco ball paintings.
  Wednesday
  11 a.m.: Get to Know Libby (for adults). Learn how to search, browse and check out ebooks, eaudiobooks and magazines with the Library’s digita
  
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• North Fork Baptist Church to celebrate 225th Homecoming: Glancing Back and Grazing Forward

  05-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  North Fork Baptist Church will celebrate its 225th Homecoming: Glancing Back and Grazing Forward at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. There will be a fellowship meal with a special service and music in the ministry center. Burgers and hotdogs will be provided.The celebration will continue at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, with a worship and message in the sanctuary. Group photos will be taken after the service. Lunch will be provided in the ministry center.North Fork Baptist Church is located at 3660 Roc
  
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• North Fork Baptist Church to celebrate 225th Homecoming: Glancing Back and Gazing Forward

  05-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  North Fork Baptist Church will celebrate its 225th Homecoming: Glancing Back and Gazing Forward at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. There will be a fellowship meal with a special service and music in the ministry center. Burgers and hotdogs will be provided.
  The celebration will continue at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, with a worship and message in the sanctuary. Group photos will be taken after the service. Lunch will be provided in the ministry center.
  North Fork Baptist Church is located at 3660 Ro
  
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• ‘Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams’: 40 years of BoDeans — who knew?

  05-09-2026 21:00 via state-journal.com
  
  On Sunday, Sept. 20, the BoDeans will step onto the Grand Theatre stage and present their 40 years of rock ‘n’ roll for the audience. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the BoDeans critically acclaimed debut album, “Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams.” In honor of the 40th anniversary, BoDeans will perform two-and-a-half-hour shows featuring a video retrospective that will include songs from their 14 studio records covering five decades of music — 1980s, 19
  
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