Headline News

A tradition that keeps rolling

In Adair County, the library has never been confined to four walls. Since 1955, the Adair County Public Library’s bookmobile has taken books, resources and library services directly into …

Chambers holds ribbon cutting for Recovery Plus

The Chamber of Commerce welcomed Recovery Plus to Columbia on Friday with a ribbon cutting. For more information visit their website at recoveryplusmentalhealth.com.   From left, …

Lake Cumberland District Health Department Selected to Lead Local Efforts for New Program Supporting Healthier Rural Communities

Somerset, KY (October 5, 2026) – Lake Cumberland District Health Department (LCDHD) has been selected to lead the Rural Community Hub for the Lake Cumberland region as part of the Rural Community …

Hoots announces location of Arby's

Mayor Pamela Hoots announced Tuesday that Arby's restaurant will open a new location on Dohoney Trace, in the former Kentucky Fried Chicken building. “We are excited about Arby’s being in …

Caney Fork Bridge closed

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has  closed the Caney Fork Bridge on CR Jones Road to all traffic until further notice. Motorists will need to use alternate routes.    …

Adair County 4-H online enrollment

The Kentucky 4-H Office is moving exclusively to online enrollment for all 4-H activities. This has already begun, and we are working diligently to get all 4-H’ers enrolled as smoothly as possible. …

ELECTION ID RULES TIGHTEN

New Kentucky voter identification requirements took effect July 15. Kentucky voters must present an acceptable photo identification to cast a ballot which is now limited to a U.S. passport, Kentucky …

Downtown Days schedule, traffic plan

FRIDAY, OCT. 9 8 a.m.-5 p.m. “Downtown Days Photo Contest” viewing and voting at Adair County Library 2-5 p.m. Adair County Genealogy Homecoming at Adair County Library, Greensburg Street 4:30 …

Council approves grants for police, road and gas departments

The Columbia City Council approved several grant applications Monday night while also discussing property code violations, drainage improvements and a request for city sponsorship of a Halloween …
Featured News
Phelps to portray Col. Wm. Casey at Research Center Friday
Richard Phelps will portray Colonel William Casey at the Research Center, 307 Greensburg St, on Friday, Oct. 9 th at 1 p.m. for the public. This new presentation on Col. Casey, ancestor of Samuel L. …
Adair County 4-H reflects on busy year of growth, achievement
The Adair County 4-H program reached more than 2,200 young people during the 2025-26 program year, offering youth ages 6-19 opportunities to learn, compete and develop leadership skills through a …
ACHS Beta turns academic achievement into leadership and service
At Adair County High School, membership in National Beta is about more than academic achievement. For Beta members, academic success is only one part of a larger commitment to character, leadership …
Around Kentucky
Whitley County Jail inmates charged following escape and attack on jail staff
WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (KT) – Four inmates face additional charges following an escape from the Whitley County Jail and an attack that injured several deputy jailers, according to Kentucky State Police. …
Kentucky Joins ‘Operation Crash Reduction’ To Prevent Tragedies on Roadways
FRANKFORT, Ky . (Oct. 6, 2026) – To encourage seat belt use, save lives and prevent serious injuries from traffic crashes, Team Kentucky will join with law enforcement from across the commonwealth …
State safety leaders urge caution as deer activity rises
FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – With deer activity and collisions on the rise during the fall, state highway safety officials are reminding drivers that the best defense against a deer-related crash is to …
Veterans Center opens in Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN, KY. (KT) – Gov. Andy Beshear joined veterans, military families and state and community leaders Tuesday to open the new $53 million Robert E. Spiller Bowling Green Veterans Center. …
Remembering a farm safety pioneer
Pioneer of farm safety. Instigator of farmer mental health and suicide awareness. Volunteer firefighter. Farmer. Mentor. Father. Grandfather. Friend. These are just a few of the many titles that Dale …
Kentucky to receive millions in federal funding for mental health services
Kentucky will receive $17 million in federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday.  The money will be used to …
2026 Election

Grimsley files for Columbia City Council

Charles Grimsley filed for Columbia City Council on May 21. Grimsley is a former member of the council. 

Incumbent Terry W. Harvey files for District 1 school board

Terry W. Harvey, District 1 incumbent, filed for reelection as school board member. Pictured with Harvey is his wife, Brenda Harvey. 

Extension Office News
What you need to know about the New World Screwworm
New World Screwworm is in the headlines currently. What should you know and what should you be worried about? New world Screwworm is the larva of the New World Screwworm Fly. These flies find an open …
Adair County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources.Nicholas Roy
Garden workshop will share tips, tricks and handy devices
Join the Adair County Extension Master Gardeners on Tuesday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. for an engaging program focused on making your garden more efficient and your plants more productive. This …
Adair County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources.Nicholas Roy
Reducing fertilizer costs
The blooming of forsythia and daffodils is an annual reminder that the crop season is quickly approaching. This time of year, many producers begin fertilizing grass hay and pastures while preparing …
Adair County Schools
MORE THAN MAKING ART: NAHS gives Adair students a place to create and explore
For students who love art, the National Art Honor Society at Adair County High School is about more than making something look good. It gives students a chance to create, compete, travel and see what …
JAG prepares students for life beyond the classroom
For students at Adair County High School, preparing for life after graduation means more than earning a diploma. Through Jobs for America’s Graduates, students are learning how to navigate the …
Taking you inside the clubs, organizations and activities happening around our schools.
For Adair County High School students, HOSA is more than a club. It is a chance to explore health care, compete, travel and figure out what they might want to do after high school. Health services …
Indians golf reaches midpoint of season with strong results
The Adair County High School boys’ golf team has reached the halfway point of its season, and coach Zach Madewell said the Indians have continued to improve while facing tough competition. Adair …
School Board Agenda for July 16, 2026
Regular School Board Meeting July 16, 2026 5:00 PM CST 6:00 PM EST Adair County Board of Education 1204 Greensburg Street Columbia, Ky 42728 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Prayer 4. …
Sports
Adair County Sports
Senior #11 Maxie Blakey, the daughter of Marvin Blakey and Brooke Cox.

Lady Indians volleyball recognizes seniors; builds momentum heading into postseason

The Adair County Lady Indians volleyball team celebrated five seniors last Thursday night while continuing to build momentum as the postseason approaches. Olivia Mantooth, Maxie Blakey, Lilly Myers, …

Ila Loy advances to state championship

The Adair County Lady Indians put together a strong performance Wednesday at the girls golf semi-state tournament in Bardstown at Maywood country club, representing three of 79 total golfers …

Robertson competes at semi-state tournament

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, Graham Robertson headed to Bardstown Country Club to represent the Indians’ golf team at the semi-state tournament. Graham was one of 80 competitors there from regions 1-4. …
Lindsey Wilson University
LWU to award 278 degrees at summer commencement
Before the Lindsey Wilson University community officially welcomes the Class of 2030 to campus on Aug. 22, it will hold one more celebration of the Class of 2026. For the first time in school …
Lindsey Wilson IMAGINE! Youth Theatre to present ‘Stuart Little: The Musical’
Lindsey Wilson University’s IMAGINE! Youth Theatre will present Stuart Little: The Musical as part of the TheatreFest! summer series. Based on the classic children’s book by E.B. White, the …
During his 37-year coaching career at Lindsey Wilson University, John B. Wethington’s women’s basketball teams won a program-best 737 games, claimed eight conference championships and made 20 appearances in the NAIA National Tournament.
LWU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH RETIRES
Lindsey Wilson University women’s basketball coach John B. Wethington, the longest-serving college basketball coach in Kentucky and the winningest active NAIA women’s basketball coach, is …
Lindsey Wilson University Nursing Graduates Achieve 100% Pass Rate on National Licensure Exam
  This is the second consecutive year LWU nursing graduates have received a perfect score on the licensing exam. COLUMBIA, KY (05/07/2026) Graduates from the Lindsey Wilson University …
Four Lindsey Wilson University employees who are retiring during the 2025-26 academic year were honored with a university-branded rocking chair at the annual Employee Appreciation Dinner, held Wednesday, April 16, in the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. From left: Sharon Shields-Smock, assistant registrar with 15 years of service; Susan Vickous, assistant professor of nursing with 10 years of service; Kerry Robertson, associate professor of english with 30 years of service. Not pictured: Judy Bryant, an a.m. server with 15 years of service
Lindsey Wilson University Honors 55 Employees During First Employee Appreciation Week as a University
Annual dinner and awards ceremony recognize milestone years of service and four retirees. The Lindsey Wilson University community celebrated its annual Employee Appreciation Week with a dinner …
Opinion
Pamela Hoots
Letter to Editor: Supports sports complex
Due to recent events I felt I would prepare this statement to ensure my beliefs are clear. Earlier this year the Columbia City Council passed a measure to explore a possible sports complex for our …
Letter to the Editor: Not opposed to sports complex
As most of you know, I am the chairman of the Columbia-Adair County Economic Development Authority. I received a letter, dated March 5, 2026, from Mayor Pamela Hoots inquiring about possible land …
Local politics, oh my
It is now 2026, and that means it’s local election year! For those of us involved or at least interested in our local community, it’s a time of great importance. We choose our leaders for the …
Obituaries

Jackie Davis Stinson

Jackie Davis Stinson, 86, of the Portland community, died Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at his home. He was born February 1, 1940, in Adair County to the late Will and Gracie Compton Stinson. In …

Doyle Wade Stearns

Doyle Wade Stearns, 79, of Greensburg, died Friday, October 2, 2026, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington. He was born September 9, 1947, in Russell County, to the late Thomas Ray and Ada Wade …

Billy R. Burton

Billy R. Burton, 85, of Columbia, died Thursday, October 1, 2026, at his home. He was born September 23, 1941, in Adair County to the late Ernest and Hattie Corbin Burton. In addition to his parents, …
Public Record
District Court 9.30.26
Sept. 30, 2026 Judge Michael Loy George T. Loy Jr, 52, public intoxication of a controlled substance (excludes alcohol). Plea of not guilty, pretrial conference set for Oct. 19 (2022) Rafeal …
Civil Rights
Circuit Court 9.29.26
Sept. 29, 2026 Judge Judy Vance Murphy Kristi L. Ables, 61, no/expired registration plates; failure to produce insurance card; buy/possess drug paraphernalia; possession of a controlled …
Land Transfers 9.29.26
Marlton and Beverly Loy of Columbia to Jacob Abrell of Russell Springs. Property located in Adair County described as being 32.139 acres located on Sparkesville Rd. $180,000 Jason Scott of Edmonton …