10 Years Ago

May 12, 2016

Judge Rob Johnson continued the murder case against Ronald Exantus, who is accused of killing a 6-year-old boy and assaulting members of his family. The prosecution and defense are still waiting for the mental health report from the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center, and depending on what the report states, the court may need to convene a mental competency to stand trial hearing before the case can proceed further.

Versailles United Methodist Church held a groundbreaking ceremony at its new location at the corner of Paynes Mill and Versailles roads. In addition to representatives from the construction company, members Rusty Thompson, Kathy Wille, and Dale Eckert were joined by VUMC pastor Tim Thompson and Bishop Lindsey Davis. 

The U.S. Post Office Postal Carriers food drive is set for Saturday. Folks are asked to leave canned goods at their mailbox, which will be picked up by their mail carrier and then donated to the Woodford County Food Pantry.

The Better Business Bureau of Central Kentucky reports an IRS scam is targeting Woodford County, with callers posing as representatives of the IRS who seek to con people into believing they owe back taxes and then convince them to make a payment using a credit card on the call.

The Bluegrass Rail Road Museum is celebrating its 40th year with a variety of events.

Jack Klier, a WCHS student and member of Boy Scout Troop 14, was awarded the rank of Eagle. 

WCHS announced assistant coach Ryan Wilson has been named the new head coach of the boys basketball team. The Lady Jackets fifth-ranked softball team continued plowing through the competition, defeating Western Hills by “mercy rule.” The boys baseball team is on a five game losing streak.

 

25 Years Ago

May 10, 2001

Monarchos, owned by Debbie and John Oxley of Fawn Leap Farm on the Midway Road, and bred by Jim Squires of Two Bucks Farm on McCowans Ferry Road, was the winner of the 127th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs May 5.

Concerns about traffic safety were raised Monday night during a discussion on a plan to construct a Waffle House restaurant at 516 Lexington Road.

The Hispanic population here grew six-fold during the 1990s — from 98 to 605 — according to the 2000 census. The number is three percent of Woodford’s 23,308 population.

WinStar Farm has purchased two tracts of land owned by Kinkead family members on Big Sink Pike, one for $4,789,460 and the other for $246,720.

Steele Davis will autograph his new book, On the Road Tour of Southern Woodford County, May 12 at the Woodford Historical Society.

Carrie Whitney Finnell of Versailles graduated summa cum laude May 6 from the University of Kentucky’s College of Allied Health Professions.

WCHS seniors Courtney Burge of Midway and Kristin Field Hartley of Versailles have received scholarships to attend Western Kentucky University.

 

40 Years Ago 

May 8, 1986

Buford Avenue’s name will be changed to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, it was unanimously decided Tuesday night by the Versailles City Council. 

The city council voted to advertise for bids for television cable franchises, hoping to stimulate competition for the current cable provider, Centel. The city has filed a suit against Centel, claiming that it hadn’t received all the franchise fees the company owed. 

Sarah Pryor will represent Woodford County High School at the Hugh O’Brian leadership seminar in Lexington under sponsorship of the Woodford County Woman’s Club. 

Anthony Atwood of WCHS has been selected as a Thomas Jefferson Scholar at Transylvania University. The scholarship is valued at approximately $38,000 over the four-year period. 

WCHS students who will attend Boys State and Girls State programs are Terry Gostomski, Even Bledsoe, Marc Richardson, Kim Allen, and Pam Chasteen. 

Jane Shannon McClellan of Versailles graduated May 4 from Duke University, Durham, N.C., with a B.S. degree in engineering. 

Mark Schimmoeller of Versailles earned a 4.0 standing during his freshman year at Transylvania University. 

Saturday’s 112th Kentucky Derby was won by Ferdinand, a Kentucky-bred son of Nijinsky II. Jockey Bill Shoemaker, 54, became the oldest ever to win the Derby; it was his fourth Derby victory in his career.