THE WOODFORD COUNTY EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERS received the 2026 Kentucky Outstanding Master Gardener Group Award at the Kentucky State Master Gardener Conference, held Sept. 27-29 in Madisonville, Kentucky. In addition to the award, the group received a tulip poplar, Kentucky’s state tree. From left, Lynn Anne Bishop, Laurel Kratt, Janie Lindle, Elaine Jacobsen, Bob Jacobsen, Delia Scott, Woodford Extension agent, Rebecca Weatherford and Delwin Jacoby. (Photo submitted) By

The Sun’s final word on the Candidate Forum that never happened By Scott White Community Liaison and Report for America corps member Last week, I wrote about the Sun’s decision to pull out of the final Candidate Forum, which would have allowed the community to hear from candidates for House District 56, a contested seat on the Woodford County School Board, and three contested seats on the Woodford County Conservation District’s Board of Supervisors. I explained that a de

By Bob Vlach Woodford Sun Staff Work continues on updating the county’s Comprehensive Plan, with two chapters now ready for public discussions. However, the land use chapter of the plan is not ready for a public meeting, Planning Director Steve Hunter told a sub-committee of the Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning Commission on Oct. 8. Members of the Comprehensive Plan committee agreed to have public meetings on Chapters II and III, which include data on existing condi

By Scott White Woodford Sun Staff Report for America corps member Versailles Mayor Laura Dake announced that the long-awaited milling and paving project on U.S. 60 and U.S. 60X is set to begin on Oct. 25 and will take three weeks to complete. “This was a team effort; we talked to (the Transportation Cabinet), District 7, our legislators and this is federal money, not state,” Dake said at the Oct. 6 City Council meeting. “But the Cabinet found a pot of money, put in a special

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY rededicated the newly renovated Chandler Hall, a residential student housing hall for women, on its campus as part of its 2026 Homecoming festivities. Built and originally dedicated in 1939, the hall was named for former Kentucky First Lady Mildred Chandler, wife of then-Kentucky Gov. A. B. “Happy” Chandler. Mrs. Chandler was instrumental in helping to secure the funding from the Kentucky Legislature for its construction. The portrait of Mrs. Chandle

A FESTIVE DANCE of Colombia was performed following a parade of nations during a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at St. Leo School on Oct. 2. (Photo by Bob Vlach) A ‘MUSEUM’ featuring a wide variety of items loaned by St. Leo families, students and staff, which celebrate Spanish-speaking countries and cultures, were on display near the school’s front office. (Photo by Laura Castro) By Bob Vlach Woodford Sun Staff Beginning with a parade of nations and continuing wi

BEFORE PLAYING HIS FIFE, Scott Giltner told students that music inspired and motivated Americans to fight for their independence in the Revolutionary War against “the best army in the world.” (Photo by Bob Vlach) SHEPARD QUIRE, 10, was the youngest historic interpreter at Frontier Days. He has been teaching about history with his dad, Richard, for a couple of years. “People know about the (American) Revolution, but there are less people who actually know about the frontier,

By Kelly Rowe St. Leo School principal We have all heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” After 25 years in education, I have come to believe it may be one of the most important truths about educating our children. And here in Woodford County, we have a pretty incredible village. Schools are asked to do a lot. Of course, we teach reading, writing, math, science, and history. But anyone who has spent time inside a school knows that education goes far beyond

By Kelly Simpson, R.N. Woodford County Health Department Clinic Manager Every flu season is different, and the flu can affect people differently. Influenza (flu) can mean a few days of feeling bad and missing work, school or family events, or it can result in a more serious illness. The flu vaccination has been shown to have many benefits, including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and even the risk of flu-related death. The Centers for Disease Contro

Last spring, the Sun formed an advisory committee of community members to assist with the transition from a for-profit to a non-profit. A subcommittee was created to build an internship program to focus on Woodford County’s varied and economically critical equine industry. We thank Helen Rentch, Lynn Pruett and Tom Biederman for their work to build this program. Long-time BloodHorse Magazine editor and Woodford County resident Evan Hammonds has agreed to serve as the students

By Bob Vlach Woodford Sun Staff Citing traffic safety concerns raised by neighbors and the proposed agri-tourism use as not appropriate for the area, the Board of Adjustments (BOA) unanimously denied a request for a conditional use permit (CUP) to operate a wedding/event venue on Fords Mill Road during its meeting on Monday. Applicants Harvey and Margaret Watkins applied for a CUP to operate a wedding/event venue as an agri-tourism use on their property at 649 Fords Mill Road

John Gentry and Chris Hooten Darrell Varner and Amy Thomas Iwahara Teresa Huddleston and Kelly Carl Larry Blackford and Mike Gampper Mary Ann Gill and Joe Johnson Josh Kight and Linda Popp By Scott White Woodford Sun Staff Report for America corps member The candidates for six of the eight magisterial districts of the Woodford County Fiscal Court participated in the third of five Candidate Forums last Thursday. The Forum was held at the Woodford County High School