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Unemployment rates fell in all 120 counties between March 2025 and March 2026, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.5%. It was followed by Todd County, 3.6%; Fayette and Scott counties, 3.7% each; Campbell, Franklin, Jessamine and Oldham counties, 3.8% each; and Boone, Caldwell, Carroll, Graves and Kenton counties, 3.9% each.
Everyone's Invited
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Today (Thursday, May 14th) the City of Columbia, along with the Adair County Fiscal Court and the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce, was pleased to host Representative Amy Neighbors and Senator Max Wise for a legislative update session at the historic Trabue-Russell House in Columbia.
At the session, they spoke about the work that has been done in Frankfort over the past few months while the Legislature was meeting. Specific recognition was given to the $184,000 which had been designated in the State Budget for improvements at the Trabue-Russell House.
Other recognition was given to Rice Drive, Watson Street and Burkesville Loop, all of which are City street projects that will receive state funding.
L-R: Rep. Amy Neighbors, Mayor Pamela Hoots, Trey Stephens, Senator Max Wise, and Chief Evan Burton
Adair County Judge Executive Larry Russell Bryant announced today (Thursday, May 14, 2026) that Adair County secured $1,339,000.00 in County Priority Projects Program (LARP - Local Assistance Road Program) funding to support critical road improvements throughout the county.
The roads awarded funding for resurfacing include: Jay Wheeler Road, Gennie Hill Road, Yellow Hammer Road, Allen schoolhouse Road, Huntington Way, Burkesville Loop, and Dunneville Road.
“These funds make a tremendous difference for the people of Adair County and help us continue improving the safety and quality of our roadways,” Bryant says. “I am so thankful to State Senator Max Wise and State Representative Amy Neighbors for working with us to secure these funds for our roads in Adair County.”
Bryant also recognizes the efforts of his staff in helping make the funding possible.
“I want to thank my Deputy Judge Executive Bridget Compton for the long hours put in behind the scenes to get this money,” Bryant says. “Her dedication and hard work are instrumental throughout this process.”
Adair County Judge Executive Larry Russell Bryant also congratulates the Trabue Russell House for receiving $184,000.00 from the state budget for improvements to the historic property.
“We appreciate the Trabue Russell House for hosting such a wonderful legislative update event,” Bryant says. The morning refreshments—chicken, waffles, and fresh fruit—were wonderful, especially while surrounded by the beauty of the rose and lavender garden.”
Bryant also congratulates the Breeding Fire Department and Columbia Fire Department for receiving $216,000.00 from the state budget for a shared vehicle that strengthens emergency response efforts across the community.
Additionally, Bryant sends his gratitude to Mayor Hoots for including Adair County in the legislative event and congratulates the City of Columbia on receiving recognition for projects involving Rice Drive, Watson Street, and Burkesville Loop.
“One of the highlights of the morning was seeing Amy Neighbors and Max Wise recognize the heroic efforts of three Adair County Sheriff’s deputies: Deputy Wall, Deputy Brockman, and Deputy Durbin,” Bryant says. “After the horrific event that occurred just a few weeks ago, we are so grateful to still have these brave officers here with us today.”
Additional details regarding project timelines and road improvement schedules will be announced as plans are finalized.
For more information, contact the Adair County Judge Executive’s Office
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The Local Assistance Road Program (LARP) is a new state funding initiative created by House Bill 546 in the 2025 Kentucky General Assembly session. It is administered by the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid (DRMA) within the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and is designed to help cities and counties secure state funds for road rehabilitation, resurfacing, and improvement projects.
The Adair County Clerk’s Office will be open tomorrow (Friday, May 15, 2026). Clerk Lisa Greer says they appreciate your patience and understanding as cleanup efforts continue. Please be advised that the office is extremely loud due to the dehumidifiers currently in use.
The regularly scheduled Russell Springs City Council meeting for this week has been postponed and will be rescheduled for later this month.
The new meeting date and time will be announced publicly once finalized.
WAVE NEWS will let you know when the date is announced...
The Adair County High School Class of 2026 is preparing for graduation, with the official ceremony planned for 7pmCT on Friday, May 22, 2026 in the gym at Adair County High School.
A number of events will lead up to the ceremony:
Diplomas will be available for pick up from 8am-3pmCT on Tuesday, May 26th in the Front Office at Adair County High School.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers were requested by the Green County Sheriff’s Office to respond to a two-vehicle injury collision, just after 11:30amCT Tuesday morning, on US 68 (Edmonton Road) in Green County.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Janice McKinney, 76, of Greensburg, was traveling east on US 68 in a 2009 Kia Rio. Ms. McKinney crossed the centerline and entered the westbound lane, into the path of a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe that was being operated by 30-year-old Cody Richmond of Greensburg.
Janice McKinney was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Green County Coroner. Cody Richmond was transported to TJ Sampson Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Green County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, Green County Fire/EMS, Green County Coroner’s Office and the Kentucky State Highway Department. Senior Trooper Brandon Roark is investigating the collision.
A false alarm ordinance was passed on Monday by the Russell County Fiscal Court. Judge Executive Randy Marcum explains more about it…
2026 Columbia-Adair County Chamber Award Winners
Volunteer
Stacy Hatcher Bishop
First Responder
Preston Gaskins
Agriculture
Farmers Mkt Square
Business Professional Man
Matthew Loy
Business Professional Woman
Beth Blankenship
Small Business
North Century Pharmacy
Large Business
Priceless IGA
Community Enhancement
Mike Watson
Educator
JR Thompson
Employee
Shelby Hatcher
Health Advocate
O’Shaughnessy Frazier
The date for the road closure at Wolf Creek Dam has changed. It will not be closed on June 2, 2026. Instead, it will be closed on May 27, 2026.
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 Wednesday, May 27, 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 closure, message boards will show:
Screen 1 Screen 2
US 127 @ Closed
Wolf Creek May 27
Dam 8AM- 4PM
Day of closure, the boards will show:
Screen 1 Screen 2
US 127 XX Miles (distance dependent on where board is placed)
Closed Ahead
The Jamestown Police Dept. has had several reports from citizens receiving phone calls from scammers saying that their EBay account has been hacked. The scammers state they will straighten out their account if they will buy a $500 gift card and send them a picture of it. This is a SCAM! If you receive one of these phone calls or something that sounds similar to this, hang up immediately.
If you have any questions or if you have fallen for this scam, contact the Jamestown Police Department at 270-343-3300 or the Russell County Dispatch non-emergency line at 270-343-6600.
Russell County Judge Executive Randy Marcum spoke with WAVE NEWS following Mondays meeting...
The Adair County Sheriffs Office is pleased to announce the addition of a drone to the department. The drone was purchased by the Adair County Sheriffs Office staff and their families.
Pictured: Sheriff Gary Roy and Deputy Emily Wall
Adair County Fiscal Court
Special Called Meeting
May 12, 2026 @ 9:00 A.M.
Adair County Annex Building Basement
424 Public Square, Columbia, Kentucky 42728
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
Call To Order
Roll Call
1. Approval Of Agenda
2. Disbursements
3. Line to Line
4. Fund to Fund
5. 2026-2027 Budget Presentation
6. Adjourn
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 6, 2026) – Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell invites Kentucky Proud members to apply to participate in the Kentucky Proud® Farm to Fork program for 2026.
“Kentucky Proud® is the perfect way to share a little bit of Kentucky on your table,” Commissioner Shell said. “Kentucky Proud® is a national model for promoting local agricultural products, and the Farm to Fork Program helps publicize the many outstanding products produced by our farmers and agribusinesses.”
The Kentucky Proud® Farm to Fork Program, administered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, works to increase awareness of the local food movement by teaming up with host groups to benefit a charity in their community. These groups can host an event that will highlight local farms, farmers, producers, and Kentucky Proud® products. Funding is made possible through a grant from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund.
The Farm to Fork cost-share grant can reimburse up to 50 percent (up to $750) of the event’s eligible Kentucky-grown food products and associated promotional expenditures. Only those meal ingredients and items that directly impact Kentucky farms will be eligible for consideration and can be submitted for the full grant amount.
Applications for 2026 Farm to Fork events are due 30 days before the event. Events must take place before Nov. 13. For more information about the Farm to Fork program or to download an application and guidelines, go to kyagr.com/marketing/farm-to-
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For more information about Farm to Fork cost-share grants, contact Alisha Morris at (502) 782-4119 or Alisha.Morris@ky.gov.
The Adair County School Board will have a Special Called School Board Meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM at the Adair County Board of Education, 1204 Greensburg Street, Columbia, KY.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Final Hearing Report and District Facilities Plan
3. Approval to create a BG1 to surplus the Columbian Theater
4. Working Session
5. Adjournment
Recently, the City of Columbia was informed that it has been officially approved for an Economic Development Grant for a gas line expansion on North KY-61. The project will be expanding the Natural Gas capacity to customers for the purpose of supporting local business growth. The expansion will run from the current regulator station in the 3800 block of Greensburg Road to the Green County line. The expansion will expand the gas carrying capacity majorly as we will be going from a two inch line to six inch lines. There are currently 84 customers being served by this section of line, but while the project is underway, the City welcomes new taps being implemented. If interested, please contact the Gas Department (270-384-2006). The project will specifically allow J&L Gate to begin a powder coating operation which will create around 20 full time jobs.
This project is just the latest in a long line of economic development successes being brought about by this active City of Columbia administration led by Mayor Hoots. Other recent successes have included a gas line project which led to development of a new Don Franklin Dealership and 30 jobs created as well as a new expansion being undertaken by Circor. Massive gratitude goes out to the Lake Cumberland Area Development District and Congressman James Comer and his staff who both worked very hard in conjunction with the City to make this project happen.
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