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Daily News for
Friday, June 19, 2026
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Kevin Spencer at Bloomington Chapel on July 19

From Gola Burton

Kevin Spencer will be speaking at Bloomington Chapel at 6pmCT on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Bro. Ralph and congregation invite you to join them. Come expecting a blessing.

Bloomington Chapel is located at 55 Bloomington Chapel Rd., Columbia, KY.


2026-06-19 15:17:57 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Church News

<-Previous PhotoPhoto 1 of 5Next Photo->
Travel: St. Michael Orthodox Cathedral



2026-06-19 - Sitka, AK - Photo by Trey Stephens.
The clock tower of St. Michael's Cathedral in downtown Sitka. According to Wikipedia, St. Michael's is the earliest Orthodox cathedral in the New World. It was built in the nineteenth century, when Alaska was under the control of Russia, though the original structure burned down in 1966.

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Mark Twain Storytelling Festival: Speaker Schedule

The inaugural Mark Twain Storytelling Festival kicks off on Friday night, with a reception at the W.W. Slider Humanities Center on the Campus of Lindsey Wilson University.

On Saturday, June 20, 2026, there will be speakers in the V.P. Henry Auditorium between 9amCT and 5pmCT, before a walking tour and a presentation from local historian Mike Watson at the Field House.

Mark Twain Storytelling Festival Speaker Schedule:
  • 9amCT to 9:45amCT: Jane Lampton Clemens, by Darlene Campbell
  • 10amCT to 10:45amCT: Storyteller Mary Hamilton
  • 11amCT to 11:45amCT: Colonel William Casey, by Richard Phelps
  • NoonCT to 2pmCT: Break for Lunch
  • 2pmCT to 2:45pmCT: Mark Twain, by Robert Brock
  • 3pmCT to 3:45pmCT: Humorist Ray Mendenhall
  • 4pmCT to 4:45pmCT: Jane Todd Crawford, by Suzanne Bennett
  • 4:45pmCT: Raffle Winner Called for Darlene Campbell's Painting
  • 5pmCT to 5:30pmCT: Walking Tour to the Field House downtown
  • 5:30pmCT to 6:30pmCT: Wrap-Up by Mike Watson in front of the Field House
The two-day festival, which began as a class project at Lindsey Wilson University, honors the ancestral ties Mark Twain's family has to Adair County. Twain's mother, Jane Lampton Clemens, was born in Columbia on June 18, 1803 -- 223 years ago.


2026-06-19 12:15:29 | Comments | Printable version

Joshua David Harden, 44, Columbia, KY (1981-2026)

Joshua David Harden of Columbia passed away on June 18, 2026, in Columbia. He was 44 years old.

Funeral services will be held at 10amCT on Monday, June 22, 2026, at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home, 210 Greensburg St., Columbia, KY, with Bro. Matt Pendleton officiating. Burial will follow in the Haven Hill Cemetery, with military honors provided by VFW Post 6097.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 3pmCT until 8pmCT, and will continue Monday morning until time for the service at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home.


Article continues... click title or click here to read whole article.
2026-06-19 12:00:38 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Obituaries

CACFD: Structure fire on Marlo Campbell Road

From Grant Loy, Public Information Officer
Columbia Adair County Fire Department

The Columbia-Adair County Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 6:15amCT on Thursday morning, June 18, 2026, to 665 Marlo Campbell Road in response to a reported structure fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a shed-style building fully engulfed in flames, with the fire having spread to a nearby mobile home. Crews quickly initiated an aggressive fire attack on the mobile home and were able to contain the fire to the original shed structure and the adjacent residence.

The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time. No injuries were reported at the time of the incident. A total of 11 firefighters responded to the scene and remained on location for approximately two hours.

Agencies That Assisted included the Adair County E911 Center, Adair County Ambulance Service, Adair County Sheriff's Office, Taylor County RECC, Kentucky Red Cross


2026-06-19 10:27:31 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Police and Fire Reports

Letter: New Mark Twain painting

Carol Roberts writes:
Great work, Tezon! Amazing! Thank You!
Comments re: Painting the Twain mural was a dream come true for Mitchell


2026-06-19 10:08:06 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Letters and Reader Feedback

Inaugural Mark Twain Storytelling Festival opens tonight

A class project at Lindsey Wilson University has grown into Columbia's newest community celebration, as the inaugural Mark Twain Storytelling Festival opens tonight on the university's campus.

The two-day festival, June 19-20, 2026 honors the ancestral ties Mark Twain's family has to Adair County. Twain's mother, Jane Lampton Clemens, was born in Columbia on June 18, 1803 -- 223 years ago.

The festival opens with a reception at 5:30pmCT Friday at the W.W. Slider Humanities Center on the Lindsey Wilson University campus. Saturday's programming includes storytelling performances, speakers, activities, and food trucks.


Article continues... click title or click here to read whole article.
2026-06-19 08:40:26 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Local Arts Scene

Greg Rice, 64, Campbellsville, KY

Greg Rice of Campbellsville, son of Helen Douglas Dearen Rice and the late Frank Eugene Rice, was born July 30, 1961 in Taylor County, Kentucky. He died Monday, June 15, 2026 in Campbellsville at age 64.

He professed faith in Christ and was a member of Elk Horn Baptist Church.


Article continues... click title or click here to read whole article.
2026-06-19 08:33:12 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Obituaries

Anna Maedell Cary Daniel, 93, Burkesville, KY

Anna Maedell (Cary) Daniel of Burkesville, Kentucky passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, having attained the age of 93 years and 15 days. She was born in Burkesville, Kentucky on Friday, June 2, 1933, the daughter of Fred & Flora (Groce) Cary. She was of the Christian faith and member of the Hanover Church of Christ. She worked as a farmer, seamstress, and nurse aid. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Roy Daniel, whom she wed in 1970; brother, Charity Cary; sisters, Margoline Mullinix, Jean Cary; niece, Annette Mullinix Bell.

Article continues... click title or click here to read whole article.
2026-06-19 08:31:57 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Obituaries

It's Mark Twain Week - tonight's the receptioin

Celebrating storytellers and muralists during the first Mark Twain Week in Columbia, KY!
“The best way to cheer yourself up
is to try to cheer somebody else up.”
— Mark Twain


2026-06-19 08:27:47 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Today


Birthdays and Anniversaries for June 19
Happy Anniversary, Danny & Connie Phelps | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Anniversary, Doris "Honey," and Steve Hovious, (1999) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Anniversary, Keith and Ashley Curry (2004) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Anniversary, Lloyd and Melanie Willis | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Brittany Kenyon (1993) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Bryan Feese | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Cathy Abell | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Coty Birdwell (1993) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Dana Mink | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Dustin Page | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Jobe Darnell | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Katie Madison Kelsay | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Norman Janes | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Samantha Jo Yates (1989) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Sandy Curry | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday Miss Loneta Sublett (1926-2009) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ricky (Rick) Huckaby, Columbia, KY (1957-2019) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Terry Lee Gadberry, Liberty, KY (1961-2019) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Roger McFarland, Russell Springs, KY (1952-2019) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ida Dee Price, Gradyville, KY native (1945-2019) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ron (Bat) Masterson, Campbellsville, KY (1943-2020) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Dr. Garnett Jones Sweeney, Liberty, KY (1914 | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Pauline Hamlett Rogers, Adair Co., KY (1922 | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Sheila K. Moore, Russell County, KY (1962) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Marlene Hogue, Yosemite, Casey Co., KY (1936) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Paul Morgan, Russell County, KY, (1938) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ruby Yaden, Casey Co., KY (1925-2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Rayeleana Butrum, 27, Russell County, KY (1986-2014) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Jewell E. Spears, 73, Cumberland Co., KY (1940-2014) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mr. Norman Gene (Sonny) McAllister, Taylor Co., KY (1935-2014) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Velma Rachele (Lollar) Cross, Metcalfe Co., KY (1948-2014) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Harlon Franklin, 79, Adair County, KY (1935-2014) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Claris Delaine Roy, 84, Russell Co., KY (1930-2014) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Priscella N. Brown, 87, Casey Co., KY (1928-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Kathern Akin, 77, Green County, KY (1938-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ricky Jeffries, Taylor Co., KY (1962-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Patricia Edwards Bertrand, 71, Green Co. KY (1946-2018) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Norman (Bally) Janes, 69, Taylor Co., KY/Green Co. native (1948-2018) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Billy Wayne Skaggs, 80, Green County, KY (1938-2018) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Bill Cooley (1932-2006) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Charles Roy Grider, 84, Jamestown, KY (1937-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Clarence Colvin, 89, Campbellsville, KY (1932-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Edward Thomas Barrett, 78, Russell Springs, KY (1944-2022) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Elrena Dooley Russell (6/19/1929-12/10/2006) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Georgina Rosario Vasquez, 77, Greensburg, KY (1944-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Geraldine Cox, 82, Campbellsville, KY (1939-2022) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Herbert Ray Holmes, 81, Columbia, KY (1939-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Homer Langdon, 70, Casey County, KY (1947-2018) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ivan Melford Curnutte, 85, Greensburg, KY (1935-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, James E. Snow, 72, Jamestown, KY (1950-2022) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Jimmie Rose Garrett, 90, Columbia, KY (1933-2023) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mary Etha Wheat, Adair Co., KY (1937-2011) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Paul D. Rogers, 79, Taylor County, KY (1939-2019) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ray William Cunningham, 80, Campbellsville, KY (1942-2023) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Shannon Miller | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Tammy Denise Gibson Ballard, 50 Edmonton, KY (1967-2017) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, William Woodruff Cowan, 84, Columbia, KY native (1933-2017) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
June 19, 1939In Memory Birthday, Helen Fay Bottoms, 81, Knifley, KY (1939-2020) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)

Events scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2026
All events are listed in Central Time. Submit your upcoming event using our Contact Form.
8:00amCTCounty Offices closed today
  • Adair Co. Judge Executive's office
  • All offices within the Adair Co. Annex building
  • Adair Co. Clerk's office
  • Adair Co. PVA's office
  • Adair Co. Attorney's office
  • Adair Co. Sheriff's office (patrols still on duty)
  • Green River Animal Shelter
  • Adair Co. Road Department
  • Adair Co. Recycling Center
| (ID:70827, Comment)
9:00amCTCommodities Distribution for pre-qualified Seniors | (ID:70835, Comment)
1:00pmCTServices for Wilburn (Tite) Cheatham, 94, Gadberry, KY native (1931-2026) | (ID:70807, Comment)
5:30pmCTMark Twain Storytelling Festival reception
W.W. Slider Humanities Center at Lindsey Wilson University | (ID:70656, Comment)
6:00pmCTVBS at Mt. Carmel Church | (ID:70753, Comment)
Vacation Bible School at Russell Heights Baptist Church | (ID:70759, Comment)
Bible School at Knifley Christian Church | (ID:70793, Comment)

 
































 
 
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