By Bob Vlach Woodford Sun Staff Ongoing improvements on I-64 in Woodford, Scott and Fayette counties, including ramp upgrades at the Midway exit, are part of a $14 million construction project, according to Brooklyn McIntosh of the Kentucky Department of Highways District 7. In an April 28 email to the Sun, McIntosh wrote that road improvements include new blacktop, as well as bridge and drainage repairs to “provide Kentuckians a safer, smoother ride.” “The extensive reconstr

THE WOODFORD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL gym was transformed into an old Hollywood set to give the students a feeling of glamour at their Prom on April 25. This year’s theme was “Reach for the Stars.” (Photo by Elaine Bailey) FORMAL ATTIRE was the order of the day for the 2026 WCHS Prom. These decisions require careful planning and consideration. Declan Cosby and Kylie Martine succeeded in complementary red attire! (Photo by Elaine Bailey) THE McKINNEY TRIPLETS didn’t have to drive

SIMMONS ELEMENTARY journalism students are pictured with their Woodford County High School student mentor, Katherine Rannenberg, the co-editor-in-chief and copy editor of the Jacket Journal. From left, flanking Katherine, are fourth graders Wesley Stephens, Brendan Wood, Cora Gonzalez and Octavio Sandoval. Each is holding a copy of the inaugural edition of Simmons Fourth Grade Times. (Photo by Elaine Bailey) Upon returning from this year’s winter break, 60 Simmons Elementary

JOE SCHMITT rides a bike when walking his dogs, Gilbert, pictured, and Abbey. Both were rescues. “I only take pets that other people won’t take,” says Schmitt, who rides instead of walking because of back surgery. (Photo by Bob Vlach) On a sunny Saturday afternoon in Midway, Joe Schmitt was riding on his bike with “Gilbert” walking alongside. His dog is over 13 years old, so “if he wants to go, I take him,” says Schmitt. Gilbert came with an Australian oil crew to his home

ORGINALLY COMPLETED in 2019, artist Steve Sawyer’s jockey silks mural is painted on the exterior brick wall of Cornerstone Pharmacy in downtown Versailles. (Photo by Cindy Sawyer) Just in time for the Kentucky Derby, Versailles artist Steve Sawyer touched up his mural depicting the jockey silks and beautiful landscapes of Woodford County horse farms. The jockey silks of a 14th farm – Safari North – were added to the mural, with the cost of Sawyer repainting faded areas of t

Ken Scott I’m a local farrier/blacksmith working in the Thoroughbred industry. I specialize in foals and sale yearlings. Working on farms, I have come to appreciate our farm working community and our diverse agricultural land. I first came to Kentucky on a wrestling scholarship to attend the University of Kentucky. I am a deacon and sing in the choir at Pisgah church, and I volunteer at the Mentors and Meals after-school program. I have enjoyed living here and being a part

THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING, where Serendipity Public House is located, has been completely reimagined into a relaxing space with ample room for enjoying coffee or tea, having a craft beer or glass of wine during pub hours, spending time reading your book or enjoying a conversation with a new or old friend. Pictured from left, co-owners and proprietors Henry Zahn and, far right, Caitlin Battaglia, with their close friend and co-worker Aylisa Craig in the middle. (Photo by Sc

Special to the Sun Kentucky Administrative Office of Courts April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize the critical role communities play in protecting children and supporting families. In Kentucky, that mission takes on urgency as the Citizen Foster Care Review Board seeks volunteers in 54 counties, including Woodford, to review foster care cases and advocate for vulnerable children. Each year, thousands of children in Kentucky are removed from th

STATE SEN. AMANDA MAYS BLEDSOE (Legislative Research Commission photo) Kentucky State Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, whose district encompasses all of Woodford County, was named the recipient of the inaugural Outstanding Young Woman Award, presented by 100 Women Lexington. “I am honored to receive this award and grateful to 100 Women Lexington for this recognition,” Mays Bledsoe said in a Senate Majority Caucus news release. “It is a privilege to serve my community,

The Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) selected Woodford County, along with 19 other counties, to participate in its new initiative, KACo Opioid Solutions Network (KOSN). The program seeks to help counties invest opioid settlement funds in innovative, evidence-based and locally driven ways. KACo expects other Kentucky counties to join the network in the future after this initial group pilots a best practices collaborative approach to opioid abatement dollars. “Each of th

By Dr. Jennifer A. Jackson President, League of Women Voters of Kentucky Kentuckians have a right to expect the state budget is designed and changed in ways the public can participate in. This year, that did not happen. The processes behind two main budget bills, House Bills 500 and 900 appropriating billions of dollars, were compressed and passed with little to no public input. HB 500, the critically important state budget bill, is the clearest example. The bill was introduc

RACHEL BLACKBURN AND ELLIE BULLEN are pictured in their completely renovated and redesigned Up The Creek country store in Mortonsville. The shelving behind them, displaying a variety of Kentucky Proud food items, was designed and built by Rachel. (Photo by Scott White) UP THE CREEK, a new country store that opened on Monday, April 20, in Mortonsville, will offer a gathering place for that area of the county. Ellie Bullen and Rachel Blackburn, co-owners and partners, will offe