10 Years Ago
July 7, 2016
The Bluegrass band “Shades of Grass” issued an apology following an LGBTQ-slur contained in a song chosen and sung by a band guest at its performance during last weekend’s festival in Midway. The band said the song was not part of their reportoir, chosen by the guest singer, and the guest, who was unnamed, would not appear with them again. Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift, though acknowledging everyone has Free Speech rights, told the Sun, that though he was not in the vicinity and didn’t hear it, “created a little bit of a firestorm in the audience and there was a verbal altercation, but nothing physical . . . I don’t want to make this a Free Speech issue . . . I think we can all agree (the public festival) was an inappropriate venue for this type of political speech to be laid out.”
Woodford County Jailer Michele Rankin reported the detention center’s population is the highest she has seen it since starting as a deputy in 2010, which she attributes to an increase in drug and drug-related crime.
Lula Lippert, a native and lifelong resident of Woodford County who grew up in Ducker Station, celebrated her 100th birthday with her son and friends at Taylor Manor.
Charles and Vernia Lathrem celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a trip to Disney World.
Ruggles Sign Company was presented with the Woodford County Girls Scout Service Award for its commitment to the success of the annual Girl Scouts cookie sale.
25 Years Ago
July 5, 2001
Woodford County Jailer Gary Gilkison was honored as 2001 Jailer of the Year by the Kentucky Jailers Association.
Carl Rollins of Midway has been named vice president of marketing for the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation.
Lane’s End Farm on the Midway Road will become the title sponsor of Turfway Park’s Spiral Stakes.
The state’s real property tax rate for 2001 will decrease by 3.5 percent.
Amy Lynn Metzger and John H. Roser of Versailles were named to the president’s list at Eastern Kentucky University for the spring 2001 semester.
Woodford County native Darin Wilson, baseball coach at Union College, has been named Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year.
Development of the new Midway Commerce District may be delayed for a few months until water service for the district becomes available from the Kentucky-American Water Co.
Jamie Littleton, a recent WCHS graduate, has received the Woodford County Conservation District scholarship. She plans to attend the University of Kentucky and major in Agricultural Economics.
Stevyn Dockery, a rising junior at WCHS, is performing with the Spirit of America National Honor Band 2001 on its annual tour of Europe.
40 Years Ago
July 3, 1986
Demolition of the former United Bank and Trust building on North Main Street has begun. Woodford Bank and Trust bought the building for expansion of its facilities.
William L. Phelps of Versailles has assumed the presidency of the Morehead State University Alumni Association.
Members of Midway High School’s Class of 1946 who attended a recent reunion were Jean Clifton Sharon, Sue Clark Littrell, Hattie Webster Rice, Herschel Richardson, Doris Johnson House, Helen Bush Clifton, Margaret Maye Logan, Collis Layton, Doris Bain Manley, Anna Tate Hatton, Sam Downs, and James K. Johnson Jr.
The Recreation T-Ball Tournament was won by the Kiwanis team, composed of Renee Simpson, Brent Sturgeon, Dane Chappel, John Ockerman, Willie Gentry, Blake Pulliam, Garrett Jones, Norman Craig, Phil Patterson, Derek White, and Thad Carter.
Tyrone Sparks of Versailles won the men’s open 25 and over division singles title at the Kentucky State Open in Owensboro last weekend.
Sgt. Jan A. Champion of Versailles recently completed the first phase of Officer Candidate School in the Kentucky Army National Guard.
John A. Ewing Jr. of Versailles has been promoted to staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.