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Daily News for
Thursday, July 2, 2026
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Deer in the headlights

By Pen

I found myself driving on a particularly twisty stretch of a two-lane Kentucky highway on the last day of June, just after dusk had given way to complete and full darkness. Amy and I had seen numerous deer on the drive already, and the early summer humidity was beginning to manifest as a low mist across the road from time to time.

We've only had our current car since December, but I vaguely remembered that it came equipped with fog lights. I didn't want to try to turn them on while driving, because all the lights in the vehicle are controlled through a variety of touch screen inputs. So I suggested to Amy that as Navigator, maybe she should see if she could get them to come on.

She located the tiny button on the center screen that provides quick access to headlights, pushed it once, and the main headlights went suddenly dark, reducing us to just the dim illumination of the Daytime Running Lights. I said in a rush "back on back on back on!"

She pushed the screen again, saying frantically "I know-I'm trying-I'm trying!"

The next button push plunged us into complete and total darkness as we drove along the winding two-lane country road at 45ish miles per hour. I said "backonbackonbackon!" even faster as I tried to remember where I last saw the road and Amy frantically mashed everywhere on the touchscreen.


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2026-07-02 14:36:59 | Comments | Printable version

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Graduates of 3rd Annual KSP Youth Academy



2026-07-02 - Albany, KY - Photo courtesy Kentucky State Police.
On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 36 young Kentuckians graduated from the third annual class of the Kentucky State Police Youth Academy. Among those graduating was first-year recruit Tyler Bragg of Columbia.

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36 Young Kentuckians graduate from KSP Youth Academy

From Sherry Bray

Albany, KY - On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 36 young Kentuckians graduated from the third annual class of the Kentucky State Police Youth Academy. Among those graduating was first-year recruit Tyler Bragg of Columbia.

The weeklong program allowed the next generation of law enforcement to interact with state police troopers and officers while learning leadership skills, physical fitness requirements and law enforcement principles.

"Young people like those graduating today give me strong hope for our future," Gov. Beshear said. "I'm proud of these Kentuckians for their interest in public service and opportunities like this from the Kentucky State Police help build trust in and connection with our law enforcement."


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2026-07-02 14:06:35 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Education

Carol Perkins: A Sack of Potatoes

Previous Column: Junior goes to the Prom

By Carol Perkins

The internet can be a valuable tool. I watched a video on how to grow potatoes in a sack of garden soil. Sounds easy? I bought seed potatoes. A sack full, but I needed only four. We planted the rest in the ground, but something dug them up. Whatever it was toyed with them. We covered them again, and the varmint dug them up.

I cut four holes in the sack of garden soil and stuck the potatoes in the dirt. Then I watched. Within weeks, stems popped up through the sack and grew tall.

"How do you know when they're ready?" I asked Guy.


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2026-07-02 13:19:47 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Carol Perkins

Kentucky State Parks generate $1.1B in Economic Impact

From Scottie Ellis

Frankfort, KY - On July 2, 2026, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky State Parks generated $1.1 billion in economic impact in 2024, supporting 8,600 jobs and helping fuel economic growth across the commonwealth.

"Team Kentucky has made historic investments in Kentucky State Parks because we see how they strengthen the communities they serve and contribute to our record-breaking tourism industry," said Gov. Beshear. "Every upgraded lodge, campground, marina and golf course helps attract more travelers to our New Kentucky Home, ensuring our state parks remain destinations for families to enjoy for generations to come."

A new study conducted by Tourism Economics found that Kentucky State Parks welcomed 9.3 million visitors in 2024. Kentucky State Parks generated an estimated $591 million in direct spending, including $120 million in park operations and $471 million in visitor spending.

The parks' direct impact included:


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2026-07-02 13:15:52 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Kentucky

Words of Wisdom for July 2, 2026

From Miss Donna Rieder
"Wild animals don't get depressed in nature, they get depressed in captivity. Think about where you spend your time."

Donna Rieder's Clifty Creek Farm is located at 3190 White Oak Church Rd, Russell Springs, KY (visitors by appointment only). You can reach Donna by email at cliftycreekkikos@aol.com, or on the Clifty Creek Farm Facebook page.


2026-07-02 13:04:59 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Today

Boil Water Advisory issued

From Columbia/Adair Utilities District
Date Issued July 2, 2026, Time Issued 7:25 A.M.

A Boil Water Advisory is in effect for consumers of Crocus Road, Loren Collins, Buell Collins, Mary Allender and D. Acree Road. The advisory has been issued due to a main line leak.

Following such an event, the potential exists for bacteriological contamination of the water supply therefore this Boil Water Advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure. Until further notice, boil all water used for drinking and cooking, bringing the water to a rolling boil for three minutes before using.

This advisory will remain in effect until the situation has been corrected and test results have shown the water to be of an acceptable quality. For more information concerning the Boil Water Advisory, contact Lennon Stone at Columbia Adair Utilities District, 270-384-2181.


2026-07-02 09:23:14 | Comments | Printable version


Birthdays and Anniversaries for July 2
Happy Anniversary, Charles and Phyllis Miller (1966) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Anniversary, Chris and Jennifer Appleby (1994) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Anniversary, Gene and Sue Ann Collins | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Anniversary, Hershel and Yvonne Keith Harmon (1960) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Anniversary, Jimmy and Geneva Curry (1973) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Linda Marcum Waggener | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Austin Graham | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Brayleigh LaShay Mattingly (2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Brett Burton (1998) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Cathy Wheeler Burton | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Charlotte Murrell | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Cindy Turner | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Dan Streeval | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Gerald Wisnar | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Jack Harrison | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, James "Clutch" Coomer | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, James Mitchell Bragg (1957) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Jameson Brock Miller (1998) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Larry Irvin | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Lesa Hagan (1963) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Nathan Cape (2007) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Rebecca Heuser | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, sisters Louella Hutchison Gore and Prudence Hutchison Westholm | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Terry Johnson | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Vivian Rice | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Hunter Wayne Hedgespeth, 3, Columbia, KY (2015-2018) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Paul Lawrence Dixon, Greensburg, KY (1954-2019) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Dan Streeval, Louisville, KY (1960-2019) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Earl McLean, Adair County, KY (1928) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, George L. Pike, Taylor Co., KY (1947) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Kim Dearth Lawson, Casey County, KY (1960) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mr. Tim Perkins, Greensburg, KY (1959) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Donald Grider, Russell County, KY (1941) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Glee Watson Key, Cumberland Co., KY (1921) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Judy Pickett Goodin, Adair Co., KY (1941-2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Susan Renee Harrison, Russell County, KY | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Susan Renee Harrison, Russell County, KY (1965-2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Scott Williams, Buffalo, KY (1965-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Orville Junior Hughes, 77, Taylor Co., KY (1937-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Douglas (Doug) Earl Taylor, Glasgow, KY (1941-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Michael Terry Riggs, 66, Taylor Co., KY (1948-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Katherine Loy, 81, Adair County, KY (1934-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Juston Bennett, 71, Columbia, KY (1944-2015 | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Bobby Damron Johnson, 79, Jabez, KY (1936-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Vestora Grant, 86, Taylor Co., KY (1929-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Scott Clayton Burton, 31, Adair Co., KY (1984-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Evelyn Burton, 85, Adair County, KY (1930-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Jeanette Doss, 73, Russell Co., KY; Adair native (1942-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Jimmy Carl Johnson, 63, Casey County, KY native (1952-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Tammy Lynn Bledsoe, 48, Adair Co., KY (1968-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Bradley (Brad) Miller, 77, Adair County, KY (1939-2017) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Joshua Keith Knifley, 32, Taylor Co., KY (1984-2017) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Freida Carol Tate, 63, Adair Co., KY/Casey County, KY native (1954-2018) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Arvist Lee (Pee Wee) Sinclair, 82, Columbia, KY (1939-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Deborah Sue Conner, 65, Jamestown, KY (1956-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Dolly Thomas Beasley, 70, Russell Springs, KY (1952-2022) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Donald (Shorty) Barrett, 69, Russell Springs, KY (1951-2020) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Elain Pearl DuBose, 103, Green County, KY (1915-2019) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Genevieve Lewis, 90, Columbia, KY (1934-2025) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, James Earl Morrison, 65, Burkesville, KY (1955-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Johnnie Milton Blythe, Metcalfe Co., KY (1935-2018) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mae Bell, 96, Taylor Co., KY Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mary Catherine Gaines, Taylor Co., KY (1928-2017) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mary Ella Underwood, 80, Greensburg, KY (1940-2020) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mary Helen Rafferty Embry, 85, Taylor Co., KY Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mayme Parrigin, Adair Co., KY (1927-2017) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Paul Clark, 89, Greensburg, KY (1932-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ralph James Compton, Breeding, KY (1924-2010) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Richard O. Butler, 83, Columbia, KY (1942-2025) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ruby C. Keltner (July 2, 1930 - May 28, 2003) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ruth Mae Wade, 93, Campbellsville, KY (1927-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Shirley Akin Miller | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Wendell R. Cook, 66, Jamestown, KY native Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)

Events scheduled for Thursday, July 2, 2026
All events are listed in Central Time. Submit your upcoming event using our Contact Form.
2:00pmCTGraveside services for Helen D. Rogers, 93, Columbia, KY native (1933-2026) | (ID:70896, Comment)
5:00pmCTPlanning and Zoning Board public hearing on data center moratorium | (ID:70867, Comment)
5:30pmCTAdair Co. 4-H Youth Photography Class | (ID:70782, Comment)

 
































 
 
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