10 Years Ago
October 27, 2016
Ben Chandler, Jr., the long-time Publisher of the Woodford Sun, and a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, passed away aged 87 at his Versailles home. Chandler took over as the Publisher of the Sun in 1957, 15 years after it was purchased by his father, Gov. Albert B. “Happy” Chandler, Sr. His popular “Happy Landings,” covered a wide interest in politics, Woodford County history, literature, and sports. His son Whitney Dunlap Chandler took over as Publisher after his father’s retirement in 2014. Though the son of one of Kentucky’s most important politicians and the father of a son who became a U.S. Congressman, Chandler did not like the limelight. The funeral and burial took place at Pisgah Presbyterian Church.
The Woodford Chamber of Commerce and Midway Women’s Club held a candidate forum for Kentucky House District 56 which pitted incumbent James Kay against Republican challenger Dan Fister.
The Woodford County Parks opened a new Disc Golf course at Woodford County Park off Beasley Road, and it is already getting lots of use Director Rich Pictor reports.
The trial of Vernon Sanders for the murder of his brother, Timothy, began at the Woodford County Courthouse.
The WCHS football team’s woes continued with a 20-18 loss to District foe Montgomery County. The boys soccer team’s season ended with a loss to Lexington Dunbar in the Regionals. The girls soccer team also finished their season with a loss to Lexington Catholic in the Regional semifinals, 2-0.
25 Years Ago
November 1, 2001
A mercury spill at a Sycamore Estates residence on Oct. 24 is being investigated by federal and local officials.
The hearing on a proposed 500-lot development on the Backer property on Lexington Road will continue at next Thursday’s P&Z meeting.
Actor Hunter Garner of Los Angeles, Calif., took a break from “As the World Turns” last week to visit his family in Versailles.
A merger between Lexington-based Life Adventure Camp and The Cleveland Home was announced Oct. 26 following a special ceremony at The Cleveland Home Farm.
The Bluegrass Community Hospital Auxiliary and the hospital’s administration held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday for the facility’s gift shop.
The Woodford County High School Yellow Jackets upset Lexington’s Tates Creek 21-20 in Friday night’s football game.
Gainsborough Farm purchased 112.623 acres at 6182 Frankfort Road for $12 million at a master commissioner’s sale on Oct. 10.
40 Years Ago
November 30, 1986
Woodford Fiscal Court has approved a zone change for 25 acres owned by Bobby Gaffney, adjacent to Stonegate subdivision, for residential development. The Planning and Zoning Commission had denied the request in September.
Former Gov. A.B. Chandler was named “Kentuckian of the Century” by the Kentucky Broadcasters Association Oct. 23.
A bypass around the western side of Versailles from the Frankfort Pike to the Troy Pike is being planned by the state, County Judge-Executive Denny Nunnelley told the Chamber of Commerce last Thursday.
Woodford County has 10,372 eligible voters – 8,729 Democrats, 1,443 Republicans, and 200 no preference or “other.”
The Irish Acres antique shop, owned by Emilie Hannigan, has opened in the former Nonesuch School.
Pledging sororities at the University of Kentucky recently were Lana Marie McManaway, Alpha Gamma Delta; Nancy Jeanne Clark and Margaret Jane Lamonica, Delta Delta Delta, and Yolande Catherine Hornback, Kappa Alpha Theta.