COLUMBIA, KY (08/23/2026) Lindsey Wilson University freshman Maddi Helm likes to be early.

Helm and her mother, Olivia Jackson, were the first in line to check in at Biggers Sports Center before it opened at 9:30 a.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 22. Helm's father, Jeff Jackson, and her sister, Mallorie Helm, were the first to pull up to the university's Campus Quadrangle, which had been converted into a temporary unloading zone for residential students.

Helm is among more than 500 new undergraduate students enrolled this year at Lindsey Wilson. Although residential students started to return to campus in early August, it felt like more than half of them checked in on Saturday as a fleet of cars, sport utility vehicles and trucks pulled into Columbia all morning long.

Helm, who is from Leitchfield, Kentucky, started packing for her Phillips Hall room more than two months ago. Her mother said she was "sad to watch her pack."

"But we're excited for her," said Olivia Jackson. "We're excited that she will be branching out and making new friends outside of our little town."

Helm said she's eager to make new friends while majoring in nursing.

"I am looking forward to going to a smaller school where everyone knows you," she said.

Fellow freshman Brison Nuckols of Tompkinsville, Kentucky, who said he did not start packing until this week, was equally excited about discovering new adventures at Lindsey Wilson while majoring in business administration and playing basketball. So were his parents, Randy and Julie, who helped him move into his Richardson Hall room, along with girlfriend, Jessie Cook.

"We're very excited for him," said Randy Nuckols. "We're excited to see him grow and become independent."

If there was an award for the earliest packer, it likely would have been presented to Jackie Mason, mother of Lindsey Wilson freshman Liz Mason of Louisville, Kentucky. She started packing "around Christmas, just to make sure we had everything we needed when we got here."

Large residential population

No matter when residential students started packing to move into Lindsey Wilson's residence halls, which will have close to 1,000 residents this school year, they received plenty of help when they arrived on campus on Saturday.

The Blue Raider football team was on hand to carry students' items and luggage into residence halls (Elijah Clark '30 of Christiana, Tennessee, reported that he had carried eight mini refrigerators to residence hall rooms in less than an hour); the university's residence life staff was spread throughout campus to direct traffic and answer questions; and faculty and staff members manned tables in Biggers Sports Center to help students complete the check-in process. And the Blue Raider Band serenaded the campus with a special noon concert.

One of those Lindsey Wilson employees who helped make move-in and check-in a smooth process was women's resident director Megan Sutton '26.

Although this year marked her first move-in weekend as a university employee, Sutton was no stranger to the experience. Sutton, who graduated from Lindsey Wilson in May, worked for three years in residence life while an undergraduate.

"It's definitely feeling like you are on the opposite side of history," said Sutton. "I get to see the excitement and anxiety of students and parents, and I get to be the one that fixes it rather than experiences it."

This year's new Lindsey Wilson students, which include 42 legacy students, come from 35 counties and 29 U.S. states. And while the freshman class includes a fair number of students from the East and West coasts, few could say they hailed from the end of a trail. That honor belongs to freshman Josie Clark of Oregon City, Oregon, whose hometown near Portland is known as the End of the Oregon Trail.

The most common birth month for members of the Class of 2030 is October, and the most popular name among new students is Addison. Business administration is the most popular major new students declared.

But no matter where they came from or what they plan to study, Lindsey Wilson Student Government Association President Luke Popplewell '29 of Russell Springs, Kentucky, told his new classmates at the kickoff event in the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center that they would find a lot in common at LWU.

"I want you all to feel welcome here at L-Dub," said Popplewell, referring to the university's unofficial nickname. "One thing still brings us all together, and that's the fact that we are all Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders."

Lindsey Wilson President William T. Luckey Jr. urged members of the Class of 2030 to take advantage of their "incredible opportunity (and) to do more than just attend L-Dub."

"Your class, the Class of 2030, will accomplish amazing things," he said. "You will travel across this country together, and other countries as well. You will sing and act and dance and make music together. You will feed the homeless, visit the elderly, and teach children together. You will laugh, you will cry, you will grieve, and you will celebrate together. You will win national championships together."

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Members of the Lindsey Wilson University football team carry residence hall items into Phillips Hall on Saturday, Aug. 22. Members of the Blue Raider football team could be spotted throughout campus assisting residential students. Lindsey Wilson will have close to 1,000 residential students this school year.

Columbia-Adair Utilities District Boil Water Advisory Lifted 8/21...

SOMERSET, Ky. (Aug. 21, 2026) – The Kentucky Department of Highways will temporarily close a portion of KY 76 in the Salem Community of Russell County on Tuesday, Aug. 25, as crews replace a cross drain beneath the roadway.

The closure will take place between Hart Lane and McQueary Ridge Road (mile point 5.1). The closure is expected to begin at approximately 8 a.m. and is expected to be completed by 12 p.m.

The date and duration of work may be adjusted due to inclement weather or other unforeseeable delays.

Motorists can access travel and traffic conditions at http://goky.ky.gov or contribute their own reports at www.waze.com or via the Waze mobile application.

Traffic information for the District 8 counties is also available at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict8 or by following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict8.  

The Columbia Police Department would like to remind everyone that Adair County Schools will return to regular session on Monday, August 24th, and they want to urge all motorists to use extra caution during the morning and afternoon hours, when school traffic is heaviest—especially in designated school zones.

Slow down. Stay alert. Watch for students and school buses.

To help raise awareness, the City of Columbia has placed electronic signs along the Columbia Bypass reminding motorists to slow down and drive safely during school hours.

Let’s work together to keep our students, parents, teachers, and everyone traveling our roads safe this school year! Please slow down and drive safely!

Adair County School Superintindent Jason Faulkner spoke with 92.7 the Wave about the new Adair Co. Middle School Ribbon Cutting & Open House.... 

The Jamestown City Council met on Thursday evening in regular session. Jamestown Fire Chief Jeff Landers came before the Council seeking funding for equipment...

The Council approved the additional funding for the new equipment. 

Jamestown Councilmen Barry Coffey sat in for Mayor Regena Hinton as she was out of town for a conference for the city. Barry spoke with WAVE NEWS with details on what took place... 

According to a Facebook post, the Jamestown Volunteer Fire Dept. (Engine 3, Tanker 62, and Brush 5) was called out to a working travel trailer fire on Thursday afternoon just after 3:00pmCT. The call came in to the RC-911 Center for a report of a travel trailer fire & field fire on Wilson Road off of Fruit-of-the Loom Drive.

10 firefighters were on the scene for approximately one hour. The fire was contained to the trailer and there was no damage to other outbuildings.

The boil water advisory for West Highway 80 in Russell Springs, KY starting at 1413 West Highway 80 to the Adair County line, Highway 1870 to the Adair County line and all side roads, Deerview Ln, Lakeview Dr, Rose St, Sherry Dr, and Shepherd Dr has been lifted.

The City of Columbia is again looking at a “Day of Caring,” for Columbia and Adair County.

The last Day of Caring involved several organizations, churches, and individuals giving back to our community.

During this day, various projects will be completed for the elderly, disabled, and/or children in Columbia and Adair County. Several church groups have already expressed an interest in working that day, but we would love to have many more organizations involved. 

Columbia boil water advisory...

Sheriff Bobby Jones reports a fourth person charged in connection with a homicide that occurred on August 12th in Pulaski County.

The victim, Sherri Mitko, was found deceased inside her residence on Lower Line Creek Road on August 12th. She had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. 

Detective Jay Picard with the Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division, who is working the homicide investigation, charged a teen boy on Wednesday, August 19th, with Complicity to Commit Murder.

This is the fourth person Det. Picard has charged in connection with the murder of Ms. Mitko. On August 16th, two teen boys were each charged with Murder in this investigation. That was followed by the August 17th arrest of McCoy Chaney, 20, of Somerset, for Murder, Robbery in the First Degree, and Burglary in the First Degree. Chaney is still being held at the Pulaski County Detention Center where he remains held on a $1,500,000 bond.

During this investigation, the Sheriff’s Office has been assisted by the Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force, the Somerset Police Department, and Appalachia HIDTA.

Det. Picard was assisted in the August 19th arrest by Detective Trent Massey, Detective Lieutenant Matt Bryant, Deputy Dylan West, Deputy Noah Dishman, and Deputy Barney Singleton.

Little League Basketball needs people interesting in the following for the upcoming season:

1. Coaching a Little League Basketball team. I will pass your name along to Wes Irvin.

2. Acting as a Cheer Director. Small stipend available, paid in November for Chirstmas.

3. Sponsoring Little League Basketball teams. $200 a team...will need business or person to email desired ad and which kids team you'd like to sponsor. Sponsors will have their logo on every team's jersey, plus free admission for immediate family to any games.

If you are interested, please call 270-634-7202 or email: daniel.hedges@adair.kyschools.us.

The Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Board will hold a meeting, on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 5:30pmCT at Columbia City Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to hear a nuisance appeal from property owner at 806 Greensburg Street, Columbia, KY.

This meeting is open to the public.

There is a boil water advisory for West Highway 80 in the Royville community of Russell County, KY starting at 1413 West Highway 80 to the Adair County line, Highway 1870 to the Adair County line and all side roads. Until further notice, boil all water used for drinking and cooking, bringing the water to a rolling boil for 3 minutes.

Russell County School Superintendent Michael Ford gives us a recap of Monday's meeting...

Sheriff Bobby Jones reports an additional arrest in connection with a homicide that occurred on August 12th in Pulaski County.

The victim, Sherri Mitko, was found deceased inside her residence on Lower Line Creek Road on August 12th. She had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Detective Jay Picard with the Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division, who is working the homicide investigation, charged McCoy Chaney, 20, of Somerset, on August 17, with Murder, Robbery in the First Degree, and Burglary in the First Degree.

This is the third person Det. Picard has charged in connection with the murder of Ms. Mitko. On August 16, two teen boys were each charged with Murder in this investigation.

Chaney was arrested without incident at the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and lodged at the Pulaski County Detention Center where he remains held on a $1,500,000 bond.

During this investigation, the Sheriff’s Office has been assisted by the Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force, the Somerset Police Department, and Appalachia HIDTA.

Sheriff Jones was thankful for the assistance from other agencies. “The Sheriff’s Office has worked non-stop since we were first called on the night of this homicide, and we are indebted to our partners for their help. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Ms. Mitko, and we will continue to investigate all leads in this investigation as they develop.”

There is a boil water advisory in Russell Springs for Deerview Lane and Lakeview Drive. Until further notice, boil all water used for drinking and cooking purposes, for at least 3 minutes.

There is a boil water advisory in Russell Springs, KY for a portion of Rose St, Sherry Drive, and Shepherd Drive. Until further notice, boil all water used for drinking and cooking purposes, bringing the water to a rolling boil for 3 minutes.

Butler Drive in Russell Springs, KY will be closed on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 from 7:30 a.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. for road repairs. Please use an alternate route and use caution around the work area.

We appreciate your patience as these improvements are completed.

According to Kentucky State Police, 35-year-old Brandon Earles escaped from a work detail near the Casey County Schools bus garage in June 2026. The Casey County Sheriff’s Office said Earles was found at a home, with no other details released. 

The Columbia Police Department is proud to announce the swearing-in of two certified police officers, Corey Meyer and Colton Nunn, on Monday, August 17, 2026.

The swearing-in ceremony for Officer Meyer and Officer Nunn took place at Morgan Smith Industries LLC in Columbia, Kentucky, with Kentucky U.S. Senator Rand Paul in attendance.

Corey Meyer previously served as an EMT with the Russell County Ambulance Service, a Deputy Sheriff and School Resource Officer with the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, and a Police Officer with the Jamestown Police Department. Meyer graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training in 2020.

Meyer will serve as the Columbia Police Department’s Adair County High School Resource Officer and will also serve as a Patrol Officer when school is not in regular session.

Colton Nunn previously served as a Police Officer with the Edmonton Police Department. Nunn graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training in 2025 and will serve as a Patrol Officer.

The Columbia Police Department is excited to welcome Officer Meyer and Officer Nunn to the department. We look forward to their commitment to serving and protecting the community of Columbia.

An Adair County Grand Jury has returned indictments against seven individuals. Indictments are legal accusations and do not determine guilt or innocence.

The Jamestown Elementary School SBDM Council will meet on Tuesday at 3pmCT...