Area News

Robert Moore [email protected] On Monday, Kentucky Attorney Andy Beshear became the first Democrat to announce his candidacy for the 2019 governor’s election. Beshear also introduced his running mate, but she needs no introduction here in Mercer County. Jacqueline Coleman is running for lieutenant governor. Coleman is the daughter of Jack Coleman, who served as state…

Robert Moore [email protected] Crimson Claycomb, the founder of the Kendyl and Friends Foundation, went before the Harrodsburg Board of Commissioners to ask for their help and to defend herself against “personal attacks” against her and the foundation. Claycomb is asking for funds to make a bathroom at the Anderson-Dean Community Park handicapped accessible. The foundation…

Jennifer Marsh [email protected] New immunization laws took effect July 1, that will affect about every student in Kentucky from preschool to grade 12. The biggest change is the requirement of the Hepatitis A vaccine for all students. It’s a two-shot series spanning six months. The Hep A shot has always been recommended by health providers,…

A series of new laws will go into effect on July 14, expanding how parents can use a state savings plan for K-12 tuition to reforming foster care to dealing with terrorism. One new law going into effect will allow parents to use funds saved in a Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust (KESPT) account to…

Local Schools Prepare For A New Year Jennifer Marsh [email protected] Mercer County Schools Readifest will be Tuesday, July 24, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. at the Mercer County Senior High School, located at 1124 Moberly Road. Readifest is a district wide annual event that helps prepare families for the start of school by providing school supplies, information…

Former Fire Chief Spends Retirement Playing Bluegrass If you stop by the Beaumont Inn on Friday, July 13, at 5 p.m., to catch the Royal Blue Bluegrass Band, your eyes will not be fooling you. That is indeed former Harrodsburg Fire Chief Ric Maxfield playing on the doghouse bass. Maxfield and his wife Karen, who plays…

Jennifer Marsh [email protected] Larry Sanders and Borderline are rocking their second season at the Burgin Barn.   Every Friday night the Barn is alive with old rock and country music. “A radio show once called us Burgin’s best kept secret,” said Sanders. He and the band have been together for many years, but they only took…

Robert Moore [email protected] It’s July and all thoughts are on Independence Day festivities and the upcoming Whitaker Bank Mercer County Fair and Horse Show. But for the members of the Oktoberfest planning committee, it’s all about the fall. “It is insane how much time and planning this takes,” said Greg Souder, who serves on the…

Jennifer Marsh [email protected] There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than lemonade. And coming up this August, that lemonade’s going to taste even sweeter thanks to a new charity campaign for Shriners Hospital for Children. During the 127 yard sale (Aug. 1-4), lemonade stands will be set up across Mercer County with the proceeds…

Robert Moore [email protected] While many state and local government employees cheered when a judge recently ruled the controversial state pension reform bill was unconstitutional, the legal maneuvering has left local governments and schools waiting anxiously. It seemed like good news when Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd struck down the widely unpopular pension reform law and…