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On Friday, June 12, 2026 at approximately 11:42pmCT, officers with the Columbia Police Department were dispatched to Carrie Bolin Drive in reference to a report of a male subject chasing a female with a knife.
Upon arrival, officers located the male subject inside an apartment and issued commands for him to exit the residence. The subject complied and was taken into custody without incident.
Devin Mikal Kaylor, 25, of Columbia, KY was arrested and charged with the following offenses:
In addition to these charges, Kaylor was also served with an active Adair County District Court Bench Warrant.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Officer Nathan Ginn made the arrest. He was assisted by Sergeant Jay Wilson of the Columbia Police Department and Deputy Hunter Tweedy of the Adair County Sheriff’s Office.
Columbia Mayor Pamela Hoots has details on Monday's Special Called City Council meeting...
The Russell County Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the new SEED Academy located on French Valley Road. The luncheon gets underway at 12 noon. All Chamber members are urged to attend!
Area farmers can apply for assistance due to ongoing drought conditions through the Farm Service Agency office in Columbia.
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program, administered by the Farm Service Agency, provides financial support to livestock producers who experience grazing losses due to qualifying drought conditions.
The Farm Service Office can be reached at 270-384-6431 and is located at 965 Campbellsville Road in Columbia.
The Columbia City Council will have a Special Called Meeting on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 11:45amCT at City Hall.
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
1ST ITEM: MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 2026 REGULAR CALLED MEETING.
2ND ITEM: 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 220.197.
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AMENDING THE CITY OF COLUMBIA, KY ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR (07/01/25) THROUGH (06/30/26), BY ESTIMATING REVENUES AND RESOURCES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF CITY GOVERNMENT.
3RD ITEM: 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 220.196.
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE CITY OF COLUMBIA, KY ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR (07/01/26) THROUGH (06/30/27), BY ESTIMATING REVENUES AND RESOURCES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF CITY GOVERNMENT.
4TH ITEM: 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 730.5.
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AND ADOPTING A CURFEW FOR ALL COLUMBIA CITY PARKS.
5TH ITEM: 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1010.6.
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING NOISE LIMITS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA.
6TH ITEM: 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 240.13.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PURCHASING PROCEDURE FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBIA, KY.
7TH ITEM: PLANNING AND ZONING RECOMMENDATION FOR POSSIBLE MORATORIUM FOR FURTHER STUDY.
MOTION TO ADJOURN.
As part of the rehabilitation of the spillway gates at Wolf Creek Dam, both lanes of US 127 across the Dam will be closed on Monday, June 22, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Message boards will be placed at predetermined sites to provide additional information.
Accommodations will be made for emergency and school traffic as required.
American Bridge will turn off the message boards when the road can be opened should it not require the full duration.
7 days prior to the closure the message boards will show:
Screen 1 Screen 2
US 127 @ Closed
Wolf Creek June 22
Dam 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Day of the closure the boards will show:
Screen 1 Screen 2
US 127 XX Mile (this distance is dependent on where the board is placed)
Closed Ahead
The Russell Springs City Council met last evening in regular session. Mayor Eddie Thomas spoke with WAVE NEWS following the meeting and discussed what took place...
On Thursday, June 11, 2026 deputies with the Adair County Sheriffs Office responded to 1253 Campbellsville Rd. where a male subject had called a family member and stated people were being held hostage at this location.
Upon arrival,!deputies checked the residence and found that no one was being held hostage. Deputies made contact with Zachary Ballou, 30, of Columbia outside the residence and placed him under arrest. As deputies were taking Ballou to the patrol car, Ballou kicked one of the deputies.
Ballou was charged with False Report which Generates an Emergency Response, Assault 3rd degree (police officer) & Alcohol Intoxication. He was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail.
Date Issued: 6/11/26
Time Issued: 6:05 p.m.
A BOIL WATER ADVISORY is in effect for consumers on Baker St, Mack St, Cole St, Mitchell St and the side street off of Mitchell St. The advisory has been issued due to a main line break.
Following such an event, the potential exists for bacteriological contamination of the water supply therefore this Boil Water Advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure.
Until further notice, boil all water used for drinking and cooking, bringing the water to a rolling boil for three minutes before using.
This advisory will remain in effect until the situation has been corrected and test results have shown the water to be of an acceptable quality.
For more information concerning the Boil Water Advisory, contact Bradley Miller at Columbia Adair Utilities District, 270-384-2181.
The Seed Academy Unveiling will be held on Tuesday, June 16th at 12 Noon at the monthly Russell County Chamber of Commerce meeting. The public is invited!

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 11, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development, a new record year for tourism, an extension on the gas tax executive order, the state budget, medical cannabis, Dairy Month and a new bank in Owensboro. The Governor also reminded Kentuckians about Juneteenth and named women veterans and women currently serving in the Armed Forces as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars ahead of Women Veterans Day on June 12.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear highlighted that Team Kentucky will provide workforce training and skills development to over 7,400 Kentuckians. This continued investment in our state workforce is thanks to support provided through the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. (BSSC), which oversees programs attached to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development that help private-sector businesses establish industry-specific training initiatives.
Kentucky Tourism Celebrates 2025 as Best Year Ever for Economic Impact
Gov. Beshear announced that 2025 was the best year ever for Kentucky tourism, with $14.6 billion generated in economic impact supporting 96,993 jobs, securing four straight record years for the industry.
Steps To Lower Gas Prices
Gov. Beshear announced today that his executive order that reduced the gas tax by 10 cents and resulted in lower gas and diesel prices across the state has been extended to 37 Kentucky cities and counties where local officials requested an extension. Kentuckians in areas where the county judge/executive or mayor chose not to request an extension or withdrew their request can expect to see prices at the pump rise by 10 cents per gallon starting today, June 11.
“I believe that government is here to help our people, and the state can and will make up any potential financial hit. Right now, our priority should be helping our families save as the war continues,” said Gov. Beshear. “The price of gas isn’t partisan. It’s not Democrat or Republican. It’s just too high. I don’t agree with President Trump on most things, but I do agree lowering soaring prices to help American families is the right thing to do. Playing politics isn’t.”
Steps To Mitigate Budget Cuts Made by the General Assembly
Gov. Beshear once again discussed impacts to Team Kentucky’s Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) and Medicaid Services resulting from cuts made by the General Assembly – something he and members of his administration have warned about since March when the House released its initial budget. These services are deemed as essential as they provide foster care for children, food support and more for the states most vulnerable.
Recent statements made by members of the General Assembly claimed they had given Gov. Beshear “flexibility to protect essential services and prioritize funding where it is needed most” despite that language having been removed from the budget. Today, the Governor announced he is taking those statements as legislative intent and shared the actions his administration will take to reallocate funding to help ease cuts to foster services, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and Medicaid services.
To view the Governor’s full remarks, click here.
Medical Cannabis
The Governor announced that, as medical cannabis is now legal in the commonwealth, and Team Kentucky has launched every step of the medical cannabis process, his 2022 executive order providing conditional pardons to Kentuckians suffering from eligible conditions who purchased medical cannabis out of state will end on July 1, 2026.
“This step was taken before I signed legislation legalizing medical cannabis in Kentucky in 2023,” said Gov. Beshear. “Now that medical cannabis is readily available here, we’re going to end these conditional pardons, as folks can contact an eligible practitioner and apply for a medical cannabis card right here in Kentucky.”
The Governor also provided an update on licensed medical cannabis businesses. So far, 11 cultivators, two safety compliance facilities, three processors and 17 dispensaries are approved to operate in the commonwealth. More than 24,288 Kentuckians have been approved for medical cannabis cards. Nearly 500 practitioners are registered to issue certifications.
This month, the Governor signed an executive order directing Team Kentucky’s Office of Medical Cannabis to issue an emergency regulation further clarifying qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Kentucky law. With the clarification, 15 additional conditions are recognized.
Dairy Month
The Governor was joined by representatives from the Kentucky Dairy Development Council to recognize June as Dairy Month in the commonwealth.
“Our dairy farmers work hard to provide for our families, neighbors, and folks from all over,” said Gov. Beshear. “Kentucky is home to over 300 dairy farms and 45,000 milking cows. We are grateful to the farmers who make that possible. That’s why I’m proud to proclaim June as Dairy Month in the commonwealth.”
New Bank in Owensboro
This week, Team Kentucky issued the state’s first charter for a newly created bank since 2009. The charter, issued by the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, authorizes Cornerstone Community Bank in Owensboro to officially begin operations.
Juneteenth
The Governor reminded Kentuckians that next Friday, June 19, is Juneteenth. Gov. Beshear is the first Kentucky Governor to make Juneteenth an executive branch holiday.
“Juneteenth is a celebration of progress, but it also serves as a reminder of our responsibilities as Americans and of the work that remains to be done,” said Gov. Beshear. “We know that in order to move forward as a country, we need to look back at one of the ugliest chapters in our history, straight on, without turning away. We must learn from it, and we must work to repair the lasting damage to make progress for a better tomorrow.”
Team Kentucky All-Stars
Ahead of Women Veterans Day on June 12, the Governor named women veterans and women currently serving in the Armed Forces as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
“Today, we celebrate, honor and recognize a special group of our military veterans whose path to service hasn’t always been easy, yet it never stopped them from serving our country to the fullest – our women veterans,” said Gov. Beshear. “Since I’ve been Governor, every June 12, we’ve recognized Women Veterans Day. Team Kentucky will keep working to ensure our women veterans receive the benefits and recognition they deserve.”
Adair County 4-H is holding a Youth Photography Class. Classes will be held from 5:30pmCT to roughly 7:30pmCT on June 11, June 18, July 2, July 16, and July 23, 2026, at the Adair County Extension Office, 409 Fairground Street, Columbia, KY.
Youth ages 9-18 who are interested in learning about photography are welcome to attend the class session. Participants will develop photography skills and explore creative techniques in capturing images that they can enter in the Floral Hall. The class will be taught by 4-H member Kiana McHolan.
The class is limited to 15 participants. To sign up, call the Extension Office at 272-384-2317.
From: Bridget Compton
Adair Co. Deputy Judge Exec., Road Administrative Assistant & Solid Waste Coordinator
Adair County has been awarded a Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) Insurance Grant to support projects that improve safety, reduce accidents, and help protect taxpayer-funded facilities, equipment, and services.
The grant funding was announced Wednesday, June 10, 2026 and will be used to purchase safety equipment for the Adair County Sheriff's Department and the Adair County Ambulance Service.
"The KACo Insurance Grant will help us take proactive steps to prevent injuries, reduce costly damage, and make our county safer for both employees and the public," Deputy Judge Executive Compton said. "By addressing risks before something goes wrong, we're helping our community and protecting taxpayer dollars."
First Aid Kits and Fire Extinguishers were purchased to equip all Sheriff's Department vehicles. The remainder of the grant funding went to the Adair County Ambulance Service to purchase an oxygen tank lift.
KACo Executive Director Jim Henderson said the grant program helps counties invest in practical, preventative solutions that reduce insurance claims and long-term costs.
"These grants support real-world improvements that make county operations safer and more efficient," Henderson said. "KACo is proud to support counties and our members by providing valuable resources, helping them better serve their communities."
About the KACo Insurance Grant Program
The KACo Insurance Grant Program assists counties and other political subdivisions in funding projects and purchases intended to reduce slip-and-fall accidents, injuries, cybersecurity threats, property damage and other insurance risks.
Since 2019, the program has invested nearly $1.4 million in more than 200 projects statewide, helping counties proactively reduce risks and protect public resources. This year, 42 projects were approved for the KACo Insurance Grant.
Grants provide up to $10,000, covering up to 80% of a project's cost, with a minimum 20% local match. Funds may be used for future purchases, including property improvements, equipment or training that reduce the risk of injury, property damage or financial losses. By investing in prevention, the program helps counties strengthen public safety, protect employees, and reduce long-term insurance costs.
Founded in 1974, KACo is dedicated to serving as the unified voice of county governments in Kentucky. KACo represents more than 1,500 elected county officials - including judge/executives, magistrates and commissioners, sheriffs, jailers, county clerks, circuit court clerks, county attorneys, commonwealth's attorneys, property valuation administrators and coroners - in all 120 Kentucky counties.

Adair County Clerk Lisa Greer directed the official ballot draw last week to set the non-partisan race order of candidates as they'll be listed on the November ballot.
BALLOT POSITION:
1 - Richard L. Swartz
2 - Ronald “Butch” Rogers
3 - Mark D. Harris
4 - Andrea Burke
5 - Craig Dean
6 - Sharon Payne
7 - Hannah Peck
8 - Beverly Loy
9 - Charles Grimsley
The Adair County Fiscal Court will have a Special Called Meeting on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 9:00 A.M. in the Adair Annex basement meeting room.
AGENDA:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRAYER
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
The meeting is open to the public.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 9, 2026) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that he has extended his executive order that reduced the gas tax by 10 cents and resulted in lower gas and diesel prices across the state for 33 cities and counties where local officials requested an extension. Kentuckians in areas where the county judge/executive chose not to request an extension can expect to see prices at the pump rise by 10 cents per gallon starting Thursday, June 11.
“Gas prices are too high due to the continued war in Iran, and Americans – including right here in Kentucky – are struggling. Every dollar counts, and my executive order lowered gas and diesel prices across the state to help our families save,” said Gov. Beshear. “Government is there to help our people, and the state can and will make up any potential financial hit. Right now, our priority should be on Kentucky families, and I applaud these local leaders for doing what’s right.”
To extend the May 5 executive order past the 30-day mark of Wednesday, June 10, Kentucky law required county judge/executives and city mayors to make a request. The Beshear administration received requests from leaders in the following areas, where the order has now been extended through Tuesday, June 30: the cities of Alexandria, Ashland, Campton, Carrsville, Clay City, Covington, Drakesboro, Earlington, Eminence, Falmouth, Gamaliel, Glencoe, Island, Jenkins, London, McHenry, Oak Grove, Owensboro, Owingsville, Paintsville, Park City, Sebree, Smithfield, Smiths Grove, West Point, Whitesville and Winchester; Louisville Jefferson County Metro Government; and Carter, Graves, Magoffin, Morgan and Wolfe counties.
The communities that did not request an extension will see gas and diesel prices rise beginning Thursday, June 11. The Governor acknowledged that some local officials’ decisions to not make a request may stem from pressure from certain state legislators in recent committee hearings.
Recognizing the strain rising gas prices were putting on Kentucky families, the Governor took several steps in early May to provide relief.
First, the Governor signed an emergency regulation to freeze the gas tax at 26.4 cents per gallon ahead of an expected increase to 27 cents per gallon on July 1. The action to freeze the current rate is projected to save Kentuckians about $1.7 million combined each month.
Gov. Beshear also signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency related to gas prices. The order reduced the gas tax by 10 cents, resulting in a 10 cent per gallon price decrease for Kentuckians. The order was expected to save Kentuckians $26.8 million combined over a one-month period.
To enforce the reduction and ensure providers didn’t keep the 10 cents, Gov. Beshear also activated the state’s price-gouging statute.
The Governor also sent two letters urging leadership in Congress and leaders in Kentucky’s congressional delegation to suspend the federal gas tax until the end of the year.
In a proactive step, the Governor also signed an executive order to freeze the 2026 motor vehicle assessment rate ahead of an expected increase on Jan. 1, 2027.
These actions came just weeks ahead of a May 27, 2026, price decrease in Jefferson County and parts of Bullitt and Oldham counties after the Governor’s request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Louisville area to be removed from the federal Reformulated Gasoline Program received approval in February. For 30 years, Kentuckians living in these counties were paying 10 to 25 cents more per gallon.
Frankfort, Kentucky (June 8, 2026) - Kentucky’s leadership in consumer data privacy was highlighted last week during a hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, where testimony pointed to the Commonwealth’s landmark privacy protections as a model for federal legislation.
In testimony before the subcommittee, Ashli Watts highlighted Kentucky’s work to strengthen consumer privacy rights and specifically recognized the leadership of Representative Josh Branscum, R-Russell Springs, in advancing some of the nation’s most forward-thinking data protection laws.
Two years ago, the Kentucky General Assembly enacted House Bill 15, sponsored by Branscum, giving Kentuckians greater control over their personal information. The law established important consumer rights, including the ability to access, correct, and delete personal data, as well as opt out of the sale of that information.
“As Congress considers a national framework for consumer data privacy, it is encouraging to see Kentucky’s work recognized as a model for protecting consumers while promoting innovation,” Branscum said. “Kentucky has taken a proactive approach to ensuring individuals have greater control over their personal information in an increasingly digital world.”
Kentucky’s commitment to consumer privacy has continued beyond HB 15. During the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers addressed Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology with the passage of HB 692, also sponsored by Branscum.
The measure is among the first laws in the nation to regulate ACR technology, which can collect and analyze viewing data through smart televisions and smart monitors. House Bill 692 strengthens consumer protections by helping prevent unauthorized data collection and ensuring Kentuckians maintain greater control over their personal information.
With Congressional attention and movement in other states, Branscum’s efforts are keeping Kentucky at the forefront of consumer privacy policy. And, national attention to the Commonwealth’s efforts underscores the impact of legislation passed by the General Assembly to safeguard personal data and strengthen consumer rights.
Watch the congressional hearing here: https://www.youtube.com/live/
The City of Columbia Planning and Zoning Board will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall.
The purpose of the Public Hearing is to adopt the Plan Elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
All interested citizens will have the opportunity to give written or oral comments at the Public Hearing. Senior citizens are encouraged to attend and comment. Handicapped persons needing assistance or aid should contact the City Clerk’s office at 270-384-2501.
TDD Number: 1-800-247-2510