Business Man of the Year 2024: Jeff Jessie 2024-07-22 - Columbia, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com. The 2024 Chamber of Commerce Business/Professional Man of the Year is Jeff Jessie. Pictured at the banquet are, from left: Chamber President, PVA, Landon Edwards; State Senator Max Wise; Jeff; State Representative Amy Neighbors; and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ellen Zornes. He got his start in the funeral home business while still in high school by working after school and weekends at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home. A rather different kind of high school job, but he found he really enjoyed working there and after high school graduation, he went to work at Grissom Funeral Home and graduated from Midway America College of Mortuary Science. Soon after, he left Adair County where he helped start funeral homes in Tennessee and Kentucky, and served in Glasgow for 20 years before finding his way back home and becoming the owner of the place where he first found his calling - Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home. He also owns funeral homes in Summer Shade and Edmonton. Jeff is an Adair County native who is married to the former Stacy Greer of Knifley and they have three children. Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

At the 2024 Chamber of Commerce banquet 2024-07-22 - Columbia, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com. Dr. Ronald 'Butch' and Gayle Rogers were at the 2024 Columbia Adair Chamber of Commerce banquet. He was among those nominated for leadership positions in the business community. Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

First Responder 2024: Det. Sgt. Evan Burton 2024-07-22 - Columbia, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com. Detective Sergeant Evan Burton is the 2024 Chamber of Commerce First Responder of the Year. He is pictured with from left: Chamber President, PVA, Landon Edwards; State Senator Max Wise; Evan; State Representative Amy Neighbors; Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ellen Zornes. Evan began his law enforcement career with the Russell County Sheriff's Office where he worked his way up to a Patrol Sergeant and K9 Handler and was a 2012 Graduate of The Department of Criminal Justice Training. He transferred to the Columbia Police Department in 2019 and in 2022 graduated from the Academy of Police Supervision and currently serves as a Detective Sergeant. Evan has always loved law enforcement and so naturally his idol is Sheriff Andy Taylor. He recently had the chance to visit the small town of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, a/k/a Mayberry, and got to sit at Sheriff Taylor's desk. He believes there is a life lesson in every episode and has even used some of Andy and Barney's tactics on the job. He is married to the former Cassie Jo Rogers and they live in Adair County. Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Holmes Bend Marina at Chamber banquet 2024-07-22 - Columbia, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com. The Holmes Bend Marina family attended The 2024 Columbia Adair Chamber of Commerce annual banquet Friday evening. From left are: Joey, Kelly, and Tanner Caldwell with Linda Blankenship and David Butler. Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Agriculturalist 2024: Nick Roy 2024-07-22 - Columbia, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com. The 2024 Columbia Adair Chamber of Commerce Agriculturist of the Year is Nick Roy, Adair County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources. He is pictured with, from left: Chamber President, PVA, Landon Edwards; State Senator Max Wise; Nick Roy; State Representative Amy Neighbors; Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ellen Zornes. Nick and his wife, Audrey, have two children Katie & Luke. Since beginning his career at the Extension office in 2007, Nick has worked closely with local livestock producers to improve forage management and production. His deepest interests include forage production and animal nutrition. He provides support to local agriculture groups including the Adair County Cattlemen’s Association, Ag Development Council, Extension Master Gardeners, and Farm Bureau Federation. Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Birds of Kentucky: Canada Goose 2024-07-22 - Central Kentucky - Photo by Pen. A Canada Goose drying off his wings. Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

Congratulations to Joe Hare, Purple Heart recipient 2024-07-22 - Columbia, KY - Photo by Mayor Pam Hoots. U.S. Senator Rand Paul pinned the Purple Heart on Joe Hare, best known as Adair County's VFW Post Commander 6097, at the recent event sponsored by the City of Columbia. Senator Paul was instrumental in getting the honor that Joe earned June 17, 1967 from a wound that was never triaged, thus no record of the wound. He started efforts to get his Purple Heart in 2012 and received it in 2021, through the help of Senator Paul. Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.

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