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Daily News for
Thursday, July 30, 2026
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Governor announces $1.7M for Green River Commerce Park

From Scottie Ellis/Brandon Mattingly

Frankfort, KY - On July 30, 2026, Gov. Andy Beshear announced further investment in the state's site and building development efforts as more than $5.2 million was approved to support future investment and job creation in Adair, Ballard, Clinton, Floyd, Madison, Magoffin, Monroe and Montgomery counties through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI).

"Team Kentucky is continuing to invest in site and building development to lay the groundwork for continued economic momentum and future job opportunities," said Gov. Beshear. "Congratulations to these eight communities. I am excited to see how you will use these investments to create a brighter future for our people."

The Adair County Fiscal Court, on behalf of the Columbia-Adair County Economic Development Authority, is planning to construct a 40,000-square-foot speculative building within its Green River Commerce Park. The project was approved for nearly $1.7 million in state support.


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2026-07-30 15:14:27 | Comments | Printable version

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Epicurean Kentuckian: Eggplant Bolognese



2026-07-30 - EK Kitchen - Photo by Pen.
Roasted slices of eggplant, topped with Bolognese sauce and melted mozzarella, served with sauteed spinach.

Permalink | Comments?

Chamber of Commerce to meet Aug 11 at Holmes Bend

The Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce will hold their next monthly meeting at NoonCT on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Holmes Bend Marina and Resort, 5380 Holmes Bend Rd, Columbia, KY.

Ellen Zornes, Executive Director, invites Chamber members to "Join us for a lazy, laid back Lunch on the Lake at Holmes Bend."


2026-07-30 15:10:14 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Chamber of Commerce

2026 Back to School Bash a success

From Trey Stephens
City of Columbia | Assistant to the Mayor

The City of Columbia was incredibly pleased to have had an incredible 2026 Back to School Bash. We were able to host over 200 kids, and almost 400 people at our event, and were only able to do so thanks to our incredible sponsors. A special thank you goes out to the Columbia Street Department and Columbia Parks and Recreation Department for setting up the event and working traffic.

Our amazing vendors served our community incredibly well by giving away massive amounts of school supplies, food, drinks, candy, and various other things.

Vendors at the 2026 Back to School Bash included 313Maple, Zaxby's, Columbia Church of the Nazarene, Signature Health Summit Manor, TJ Health Columbia, Taylor Regional Hospital, Walmart, Lake Cumberland Community Action, Adanta, Antioch Church, Priceless, Happy Hawg BBQ, Southern Nest, Cumberland Family Medical Center - Kid's Clinic, Adair County Library, Owens Dentistry, Subway Dhoney Trace, Post Office, Recovery plus, Circor, Brightview Health, Columbia Church of the Nazarene, Chandler Cundiff CASA, Aglow Columbia Lighthouse, Burger King of Columbia, Glen's Fork Church of the Nazarene, Lake Cumberland District Health Department, and Todd Davenport.

Last but certainly not least we would like to thank Jake Hill, Mark Harris, and Rodney Thompson. Along with Jimmy McKnight and assistant, Billy Pickett, Bob Massey, James Curry, and Lance Burton for an incredible show. We wish everyone a great school year!


2026-07-30 15:05:48 | Comments | Printable version

ACSO: Two-vehicle collision investigated on Hwy 55S

From Sheriff Gary Roy
Adair County Sheriff's Office

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, at approximately 6:20 a.m., deputies with the Adair County Sheriff's Office responded to the 4000 block of Highway 55 South in reference to a two-vehicle collision.

The preliminary investigation determined that Dustin McGuffin, who was traveling southbound on Highway 55 South, crossed the centerline into the northbound lane of travel. Shawbtae Giftee, of Indiana, was traveling northbound toward Columbia when she observed McGuffin's vehicle in her lane. Ms. Giftee sounded her horn multiple times, reduced her speed, and attempted to move into the southbound lane in an effort to avoid a collision. Mr. McGuffin then overcorrected, and the vehicles collided.


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2026-07-30 15:02:38 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Police and Fire Reports

LWU Doctoral student, professor step onto International Stage

By Duane Bonifer

Lindsey Wilson University doctoral student Mahalia Cain recently took her research overseas while widening her professional circle.

Cain presented her work at the International Association of Psychology and Counseling's 2026 Oxford Institute for Global Education and Clinical Practice in Psychology and Counseling, held in Oxford, England.

Cain presented with Lindsey Wilson counseling professor Ed Gunberg, who is also her academic adviser in Lindsey Wilson's counselor education and supervision doctoral program.

"The experiences I had there were truly indescribable and will stay with me for the rest of my life," said Cain, who is a resident of Williamsburg, Kentucky. "It was an incredible honor to represent LWU and the doctoral program, as well as the counseling profession, on an international stage."


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2026-07-30 11:30:52 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Lindsey Wilson University

Words of Wisdom for July 30, 2026

From Miss Donna Rieder
"At the end of the day, I am thankful that my blessings are bigger than my problems."

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.


2026-07-30 11:24:24 | Comments | Printable version | See topic Today

Draft STIP Plan available for public review, comment

From Naitore Djigbenou/Allen Blair

Frankfort, KY - Team Kentucky's draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) plan, a four-year listing of scheduled transportation projects using federal transportation funds, is ready for public review. The plan includes projects involving highways, bridges, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and other transportation improvements to enhance safety and mobility in Kentucky.

The Draft FY 2027-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (PDF) is now available online and feedback is welcome. The draft STIP is also available at all 12 KYTC Department of Highways district offices.

Funding for Adair County projects in the draft includes:
  • $42.06M for a variety of US Hwy 55 projects
  • $11.3M for Hwy 61 reconstruction
  • $6.25M towards the proposed Eastern Columbia Bypass
  • $613K to address flooding issues on Rice Drive
  • $440K in work on the Louis B. Nunn Parkway
  • $58K to install a guardrail on KY-1702
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) invites any individual, agency, or organization to submit comments during the 30-day review period starting August 1, 2026, through August 30, 2026.


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2026-07-30 11:23:09 | Comments | Printable version


Birthdays and Anniversaries for July 30
Happy Anniversary, Jason and Emily Roach | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Anniversary, Walter and Katherine Smith Bennett (1959) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Allan Mercer Parnell | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Angel Kinnett Grider | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Barry Bailey | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Carolyn Luttrell Wilson | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Charles Neat | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Cynthia Parnell Collier | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Debbie Lynn Halcomb | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Glenda Miller | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Hannah Young | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Jayden Chance Burton | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Jean Beard | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Jessica Nicole Usrey (1989) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Jessica Usrey | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Lisa Walker (1993) | (Updates/Corrections)
Happy Birthday, Talisha England (1985) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, William R. (Billy) Denton, Adair Co., KY (1946-2010) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Faye Shepherd, Adair County, KY (1920) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Glen Alan Gupton, Green Co., KY (1949) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Bobby Patton, Adair Co., KY native (1939) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Bobby D. Jessie, Adair Co., KY (1943 | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Randall McQueary, Adair Co., KY (1967-2014) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Rev. Jerry Cline, 70, formerly of Adair Co., KY (1944-2014) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Maxine Harmon, Adair Co., KY native (1931-2014) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Tommy Wheeler, 75, Mannsville, KY (1939-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In memory birthday, Dorella Dyer, Glasgow, KY (1941-2015) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mrs. Glenda Jean (Cox) Rainwater McKenzie, Taylor Co., KY (1944-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mr. Rex Cook, 62, Green Co., KY (1953-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, John Bradley Whited, 43, Casey Co., KY (1972-2016) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Garnett Allen (Al) Clark, Taylor Co., KY (1926-2017) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mr. Samuel G. Cox, 76, Indianapolis, IN/Elkhorn, KY native (1940-2017) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mr. Casbel Grant Asbury, Green County, KY (1928-2017) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Frances Finn, 93, Adair Co., KY (1923-2013) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mrs. Grace White Arms, Cumberland Co., KY (1923-2017) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Davis Sexton, 75, Adair County, KY (1942-2018) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Velta Brown, 82, Russell Springs, KY (1935-2018) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Anita (Torbert) Steigerwald, 102, Adair Co., KY (1916-2018) | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Barbara Walters Wood Pike, 85, Campbellsville, KY (1935-2020) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Barry Bailey, 71, Adair County, KY (1949-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Bro. Willard Bryant, 73, Columbia, KY (1949-2022) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Carl Thomas Berry, 87, Greensburg, KY (1934-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Carolyn S. Smith, 82, Columbia, KY (1943-2025) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Edwin N. Taylor, 81, Columbia, KY (1943-2024) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Frances (Beams) Skaggs, 86, Campbellsville, KY (1935-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, James Bolin (Jim) Beard, 79, Columbia, KY native (1942-2021) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Josh Rufus Burton, 43, Columbia, KY native (1979-2023) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Larry Gene Bryant, 74, Columbia, KY (1951-2026) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Merlin Ray Huff, 59, Columbia, KY (1965-2025) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Mrs. Margaret Stailey Farlee, Cumberland Co., KY(d. 8 Mar 2016) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Ray Bruce Grigsby, Jr., 83, Columbia, KY (1938-2022) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Rodney Keith Hundley, 29, Casey County, KY (1978-2019) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Rufus Lowell (Bill) Turner, 67, Columbia, KY (1955-2023) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Sharon Pierce Davis, 75, Greensburg, KY (1944-2019) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)
In Memory Birthday, Tony Curtis Burton, 63, Campbellsville, KY (1961-2025) Obituary | (Updates/Corrections)

Events scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2026
All events are listed in Central Time. Submit your upcoming event using our Contact Form.
4:30pmCTACHS SBDM Council meeting | (ID:70982, Comment)
5:00pmCTSpecial Called Adair Co. School Board Meeting | (ID:70989, Comment)
6:00pmCT Vacation Bible School at Columbia UMC | (ID:70975, Comment)
7:00pmCTHarvey at the Barn Lot Theater | (ID:70954, Comment)

 

































 
 
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