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Daily News for
Thursday, May 7, 2026
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Lindsey Wilson University announces partnership with DOCJT

By Venus Popplewell

The Department of Criminal Justice Training and Lindsey Wilson University announced an agreement on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, to expand educational opportunities for employees of the state agency.

The agreement, announced at the training center in Richmond, Kentucky, allows DOCJT employees and their immediate family members to receive scholarship support through Lindsey Wilson University's educational outreach programs.

"We're committed to training and education, so this is the second piece of that," said DOCJT Deputy Commissioner Brian Bowling. "We provide basic training for our new recruits and ongoing training for our police officers who are in the field. We are also constantly looking for opportunities to provide education for our staff, and this partnership gives us that opportunity."


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2026-05-07 17:37:50 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Lindsey Wilson University

<-Previous PhotoPhoto 1 of 8Next Photo->
Scenic Adair Co.: Old Ford Truck at Windmill Farms



2026-05-07 - Adair Co., KY - Photo by Robert Ellis, robertelliswoodworking.com.
Robert writes, "I have photographed this old Ford previously, but never from this angle. That's the nice thing about re-visiting a location and seeing it again with a fresh perspective."

Permalink | Comments?

Mayor Hoots visits ACES for Mental Health Month ceremony

May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, and Columbia Mayor Pam Hoots has been visiting schools to sign proclamations for Mental Health awareness in Columbia. On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Mayor Hoots join administrators at Adair County Elementary School to continue to make more people aware of the mental health challenges facing our youth population.

Earlier on CM: May is Mental Health Awareness Month.


2026-05-07 17:33:25 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Local Government

Neighbors honored for Colorectal Cancer Prevention Leadership

From Laurie Abbott

Frankfort, KY - The Southeastern Colon Cancer Consortium (SCCC) presented Representative Amy Neighbors of Edmonton with the Legislative Champion Award for her leadership in colorectal cancer prevention, screening modernization, and expanding access to early detection services across Kentucky. The award honors policymakers that have made a significant impact in the fight against colorectal cancer through public policy, advocacy, and leadership.

"I'm truly honored to be recognized by the SCCC," Neighbors said. "My perspective as a colorectal cancer survivor has shaped my focus on prevention and on making sure people can get screened before the disease progresses."

During the 2025 Regular Session, Neighbors championed House Bill 421, legislation that restructured Kentucky's colorectal cancer screening framework around risk-based guidelines and expanded coverage protections for high-risk individuals. The law also reduced financial and administrative barriers to recommended screening and follow-up testing.


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2026-05-07 17:28:50 | Comments | Printable version

Brothers BBQ featured in new Kentucky Historic Dining Guide

From Anita Hatchett/Jennifer Peachee-Harris

To further support local restaurants and Kentucky's record-breaking tourism industry, Gov. Andy Beshear joined state leaders and local business owners on Thursday, May 7, 2026, to unveil the Kentucky Historic Dining Guide. Featuring an initial 18 restaurants, the guide serves as a new resource to help Kentuckians and travelers alike visit and enjoy local restaurants and historic destinations across the commonwealth.

Brothers in Campbellsville and The Urban Stillhouse in Somerset are featured in the Southern Kentucky Vacation Region. To access the Kentucky Historic Dining Guide, visit Heritage.ky.gov or search Apple Maps.

"This guide brings together two of Kentucky's greatest assets: our rich history and delicious food," said Gov. Beshear. "By highlighting our incredible restaurants, we can support local businesses while building on the record-breaking tourism we've seen for three consecutive years."

Designed to inspire travel, support local businesses and raise awareness of the importance of historic preservation, the guide showcases dining establishments throughout every region of Kentucky. Offering more than a delicious meal, these restaurants provide a connection to place, history and community.


2026-05-07 17:24:22 | Comments | Printable version

EDA announces funding for gas line expansion

From Trey Stephens
City of Columbia | Assistant to the Mayor

Recently the City of Columbia was informed that we have been officially approved for an Economic Development Grant for a gas line expansion on North KY-61. The project will be expanding our Natural Gas capacity to customers for the purpose of supporting local business growth.

The expansion will run from our current regulator station in the 3800 block of Greensburg Road to the Green County line, increasing gas carrying capacity from a two inch line to six inch lines.

There are currently 84 customers served by this section of line, but while the project is underway we are welcoming new taps. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the City Gas Department at 270-384-2006.


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2026-05-07 17:15:12 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Local Government

LWU Nursing graduates achieve 100% pass rate on National Licensure Exam

By Venus Popplewell

Graduates from the Lindsey Wilson University nursing program continued a streak of success this year, posting a perfect pass rate on the required licensing examination for the second consecutive year.

All nursing majors who graduated from Lindsey Wilson's nursing program in 2025 passed the National Council Licensure Examination, the nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States.

Known as the NCLEX, the 100% pass rate reflects the strength of the Lindsey Wilson curriculum and a nursing faculty committed to student success, according to Lindsey Wilson President William T. Luckey Jr.


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2026-05-07 17:09:50 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Lindsey Wilson University

Board of Education to meet May 11

From Carolee Lloyd
Admin. Assistant to Superintendent/Human Resource Director
Adair County Board of Education

The Adair County Board of Education will hold a special called meeting at 5pmCT on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Adair County Board of Education, 1204 Greensburg Street, Columbia, KY.

Meeting Agenda:
  • 1. Call to Order
  • 2. Approval of Final Hearing Report and District Facilities Plan
  • 3. Approval to create a BG1 to surplus the Columbian Theater
  • 4. Working Session
  • 5. Adjournment


2026-05-07 17:07:10 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Local Government

Words of Wisdom for May 7, 2026

From Miss Donna Rieder
Friendly reminder: Life is too short to spend chasing things that actually don't make you happy.

Farm-fresh, free-range eggs just $4/dozen. Call 270-805-1527 to schedule a pickup.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.


2026-05-07 10:34:42 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Today

KELC releases March 2026 unemployment report

From Mike Clark/Kim Saylor Brannock

Frankfort, KY -- Kentucky's seasonally adjusted preliminary March 2026 unemployment rate was 4.2%, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.

The preliminary March 2026 jobless rate did not change from February but was down 0.5 percentage points from one year ago.

The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate for March 2026 was 4.3%, which was down from the 4.4% reported for February and up from the 4.2% recorded in March 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.


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2026-05-07 10:20:07 | Comments | Printable version

MCES students winners in 2026 KDA Essay Contest

From Madison Pergrem Cannon

Frankfort, KY - Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell has announced the winners of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's (KDA) annual Poster and Essay Contest. The theme of the contest, "Bluegrass Roots, Agriculture Strong," allowed contestants to illustrate, in words and art, the strength of agriculture in Kentucky, nicknamed the Bluegrass State.

Two of this year's winning essays were written by students from Metcalfe County Elementary School
  • First grade: Cason Shaw, Metcalfe County Elementary School
  • Second grade: Reagan Morgan, Metcalfe County Elementary School
"Kentucky, known as the Bluegrass State, has deep roots in agriculture. That relationship was at the heart of this year's annual Poster and Essay Contest," Commissioner Shell said. "Seeing all the wonderful ways our students displayed Kentucky's agriculture strength was encouraging for our future. Congratulations to each of these winners."


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2026-05-07 10:18:31 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Education

Baseball: These Cats have nine lives

By Ryan Hoots
Sports Director, UntdWeStnd.com

Lexington, KY - Kentucky baseball has battled their way back into a conversation that just weeks ago, was useless. A few weeks ago, talk surrounding this year's iteration of the Bat Cats had turned from early season optimism to debating whether the Cats would even make the NCAA Tournament field at all.

Now?

There is a visible path into which they could not only make it, but they could actually host. It's a long shot, but the shot is there. It exists, even if it is still clinging onto life support. There is hope (albeit small).

That is what makes this weekend's series so crucial. In my eyes, Kentucky needs to win one of their next two series to just be comfortably "in".

However, the opportunity to change the way people are talking nationally is right there for the taking, and it starts on Friday at Florida.


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2026-05-07 10:10:57 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Sports

2026 Mollis Conference explores broad range of gender issues

By Venus Popplewell

From healthcare and immigration enforcement to identity and history - the forces shaping women and minorities reveal the invisible hurdles they must overcome.

Those themes were among the topics explored at the 2026 Kara Mollis Women and Gender Studies Conference, held April 22, 2026, in the Thomas D. Clark Reading Room.

The interdisciplinary conference, sponsored by the Lindsey Wilson University Women's and Gender Studies Program, is held at the end of the spring semester and features academic projects by Lindsey Wilson students that focus on a broad range of gender issues. This year's conference included six sessions, along with a brown-bag lunch featuring a discussion on ICE's impact on families, gender, and human costs.

"I'm so excited to see the number of interdisciplinary projects," said conference faculty chair Rachel Carr '13, the university's women's and gender studies program coordinator. "We welcome topics from any field related to gender."


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2026-05-07 10:03:27 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Lindsey Wilson University

Public Notice: Board of Elections to meet May 8

From Lisa Greer, Adair County Clerk

The Adair County Board of Elections will have a Special Called Meeting at 2:30pmCT on Friday May 8, 2026, due to timeframe of approving the following agenda:
  1. Call to order
  2. Roll call
  3. Approval of Nunc-Pro-Tunc (Processing)
  4. Approval of date, time, and workers for Post-Hand-to-Eye Audit
  5. Adjourn
The meeting will be in the Adair County Clerk's Office, 424 Public Square, Ste3, Columbia, KY.


2026-05-07 09:43:41 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Local Government

ACHS SBDM Council to meet Thursday

From Chad A. Parnell, Principal
Adair County High School

The Adair County High School SBDM Council will have a special called meeting at 4pmCT on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the ACHS Library, 526 Indian Drive, Columbia KY.

The purpose of the meeting is to review candidates for vacant positions and possibly make recommendations.


2026-05-07 09:39:30 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Education


Birthdays and Anniversaries for May 7
Happy Anniversary, Jiminy and Jeremy Hale (2011) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Anniversary, Billy and Lisa Huddleston (1971) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Billy Dean Coffey | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Brendon Dierks Cowan (2009) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Brenton Shepherd (1986) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Cindy Hancock | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Connie Stotts | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Jordan Brian | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Kyron Todd Burton (May 7, 2001) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Mike Gilpin | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Stephen Burris (1984) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Biirthday, Richard Edwards Hord, Taylor Co., KY (1933) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mrs. Rebecca Ann Fister, Green County, KY (1971-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Marie Bradshaw Vance Young, Greensburg, KY (1949-2019) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Vaughan Schuler, Adair County, KY native (1937-2019) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Jimmy R. Twyford, Russell Springs, KY (1934-2020) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Janice Luttrell (1958) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mary Bell Burbridge, Adair Co., KY (1921-2010) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mrs. Leora Bass Pickett, Greensburg, KY (1930) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Lois (Arlene) Miller, Adair Co., KY native (1942-2012) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Don T. Ledford, Casey County, KY (1985) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Marvin Price, Green County, KY (1947) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Martha Ann Willis, Cumberland Co., KY, (1949-2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Keith (Kelly) Lee Shipp, Taylor County, KY (1937-2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Joseph Wayne Grider, Adair County, KY (1944-2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mrs. Judith A. Hosier, Cumberland Co., KY (1940-2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Martana Groce, Cumberland County, KY (1934-2013 | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Bro. Buford Hadley, Adair County, KY (1939-2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Steve Agent, Adair Co., KY (1959-2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mr. Ernest Paul Melton, Cumberland Co., KY (1937-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Garry Dale Wilson, 58, Casey Co., KY (1957-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Millard Reid Brewington, 70, Cumberland Co., KY (1945-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Princess Aubrey LaMay Hale, stillborn, Summersville, KY. (7 May - 7 May 2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Grayson Wayne Hurt, stillborn, Metcalfe Co., KY (7 May 2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Clevious (Clebo) Curry, 71, Columbia, KY (1945-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Bobbie Grider, 91, Russell Co., KY (1925-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Margaret Dunn, 85, Adair County, KY (1931-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, William (Bill) Watson, Adair Co., KY (1929-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Charles Leroy Payne, 73, Glasgow, KY (1943-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Beulah Catherine Campbell, Campbellsville, KY (1916-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Bridget Lyn Wesley, 44, Bethelridge, KY (1972-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Charlotte Gaby, 91, Taylor Co., KY (1925-2017) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Deanne Haggerty, 47, Taylor County, KY/Warren Co., NJ native (1970-2017) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Lois Jean Helm, 59, Adair County, KY (1958-2017) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Van Lewis Shaw, 63, Metcalfe County, KY (1954-2017) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Velmar Lee Cogar, Summer Shade, KY (1941-2018) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Geneva Triplett (Tootsie) Loy, Russell Co./Adair Co., KY native (1927-2018) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Betty Mae Feese White, 84, Adair Co., KY native (1937-2022) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Candace Richardson Crowe, 40, Liberty, KY (1980-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, David Lee Corbin, Adair County, KY (1945-2018) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Drew Elizabeth Cross, Columbia, KY (2020-2020) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mary Chambers, 88, Burkesville, KY (1933-2022) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Morris K. Roy, 72, Russell Springs, KY (1949-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Nancy Katherine Wise, 76, formerly of Taylor Co., KY Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In memory birthday, Pearl Campbell | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Rebecca Coffey, 50, Casey Co., KY (1972-2023) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Thomas (Todd) Stotts, 82, Breeding, KY (1942-2025) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, William E. (Tiny) Cowan, 76, Columbia, KY (1947-2023) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)

Events scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026
All events are listed in Central Time. Submit your upcoming event using our Contact Form.
8:00amCTExcused In-Person Absentee Voting
Excused In-Person Absentee Voting will be available from 8amCT to 4pmCT on May 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 13, 2026, in the Adair County Clerk's Office, 424 Public Square, Ste3, Columbia KY. Voters must have one of the qualifying reasons to cast a ballot during this period, and must provide a valid ID. | (ID:70619, Comment)
9:00amCTAdair Co. Fiscal Court Budget Committee meeting | (ID:70624, Comment)
NoonCTNational Day of Prayer gathering
On the steps of the Courthouse Annex Building, 424 Public Square, Columbia, KY | (ID:70595, Comment)
2:00pmCTServices for Tommy Dial, 57, Columbia, KY (1969-2026) | (ID:70625, Comment)
4:00pmCTACHS SBDM Council meeting | (ID:70634, Comment)

 






























 
 
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