Category: Local News
Local news and community updates from Berea, Richmond, and Madison County, including public safety, business, local developments, and everyday community coverage.
Macbeth Belongs at The Spotlight Playhouse Because Big Stories Should Happen Close to Home 🎭
Some plays feel far away until the right people put them on stage. Macbeth is one of them. On paper, it can look like schoolwork. Witches. Kings. Scotland. Old language. A dagger that may or may not be there. But on stage, especially on a local stage like The Spotlight Playhouse, Macbeth becomes something much…
🚰 Berea Should Expect a Watchful Summer for Water, Not a Panic
Berea residents should head into summer with a practical attitude about water levels. Not panic. Not ignore it. Just pay attention. Current official drought information shows much of Kentucky already dealing with dry conditions as summer begins. Drought.gov’s Kentucky page, based on the U.S. Drought Monitor, showed nearly the entire state—99.97 percent—in documented drought conditions…
🚛 What Berea Residents Should Know About the Local Disposal Site
Most towns have a few places everybody knows about, but not everybody fully understands. In Berea, one of those places is the local disposal site on Estridge Road. Some folks still call it “the dump.” Others call it the landfill. The city lists it as the Berea Transfer Station. That name matters. Unlike a landfill,…
⛳💧 Gibson Bay Golf Course Irrigation Upgrades Bring Short-Term Disruptions, Long-Term Improvements
RICHMOND, Ky. — Golfers at Gibson Bay Golf Course may see temporary disruptions this season ⚠️ as Richmond continues work on a major irrigation system replacement at the public course. 🌿🏌️ The City of Richmond announced in March 📣 that a new irrigation system is being installed at Gibson Bay to replace the course’s aging…
♻️ Richmond Recycling Center Receives $330,308 Grant for Facility Upgrades
RICHMOND, Ky. — The City of Richmond has been awarded a $330,308.02 state grant 💰 from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet to bankroll critical infrastructure upgrades 🏗️ and optimize daily processing volumes 📦 at the Richmond Recycling Center. Municipal administrators announced the finalized funding allocation following official notification from state environmental compliance officers ✅.…
Junebug Festival Brings Drums, Vendors, and Family Activities to Old Town Berea
BEREA, Ky. — Old Town Berea will welcome the start of summer with rhythm, art, food, and family activities during the Junebug Festival on Friday, June 5. 🗓 Date: Friday, June 5⏰ Time:6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.📍 Where: Old Town Berea (centered around Artist Circle and North Broadway)💲 Cost: Free👨👩👧👦 Ages: All ages 🥁 Community…
US 25 Yard Sale Returns June 5 to 6, Stretching Through Berea and Beyond
BEREA, Ky. — The US 25 Yard Sale returns Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, bringing two days of roadside sales, bargain hunting, and extra traffic along one of Kentucky’s historic north-south routes. Berea Tourism lists the 15th Annual US 25 Yard Sale as a two-day event featuring hundreds of yard sales along 200…
Berea Arts Council Garden Tour Returns May 23 After a Year Away
BEREA, Ky. — A local spring tradition is returning this month as the Berea Arts Council hosts its 2026 Garden Tour on Saturday, May 23. The self-guided tour runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and features six private and local garden spaces across the city. The event, which took a year-long hiatus in 2025,…
Berea Chamber Annual Golf Tournament Set for June 12 at Battlefield Golf Course
BEREA, Ky. — The Berea Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual golf tournament for Friday, June 12, 2026, at Battlefield Golf Course in Richmond. The tournament is one of the organization’s regular networking events, bringing together local business owners, civic leaders, and community supporters. While hosted by the Berea Chamber, the event takes place…
Tasty Tuesdays Return to Irvine-McDowell Park; Historic House Remains Closed for Construction
RICHMOND, Ky. — Tuesday evenings at Irvine-McDowell Park are once again becoming a weekly community stop as the city kicks off another season of Tasty Tuesdays. The recurring event is held every Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the park, with live music beginning at 6:00 p.m. While the park remains open for…
Paint Your Pet Party Offers a Creative Outing for Berea Animal Lovers May 17
BEREA, Ky. — Berea animal lovers will have a chance to turn a favorite pet photo into a painted keepsake during a Paint Your Pet Paint Party on Sunday, May 17. The event is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at One Eyed Jack’s Social Club, located at 107 Clay Dr. in Berea. The…
Tools and Stools Workshop Brings Traditional Woodworking to Berea Makerspace May 30–31
BEREA, Ky. — A two-day woodworking workshop called Tools and Stools with Don Weber is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, at the Berea Makerspace, located at 116 Spring Circle Drive. The class is built around a hands-on philosophy: participants build a traditional hand tool first, then use that same tool to…
Sustainable Berea Spring Gathering Supports Garden and Community Programs May 23
BEREA, Ky. — Sustainable Berea will host its Spring Gathering on Saturday, May 23, bringing supporters together for dinner, auctions, and recognition of local sustainability efforts. The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Churchill’s, located at 100 Churchill Dr. in Berea. The gathering supports Sustainable Berea’s community programs, including the Berea…
Richmond Outdoor Committee Offers Kayaking and Self-Defense Workshops in May
RICHMOND, Ky. — The Richmond Outdoor Committee (ROC) is hosting a series of spring activities this month, giving residents the chance to participate in guided kayaking and personal safety workshops. The sessions take place at Lake Reba Park and Irvine-McDowell Park and are open to a range of skill levels, from first-time paddlers to those…
Mountain Melodies: Workshop Series Brings Clay Wind Instrument Craft to Berea
BEREA, Ky. — A hands-on workshop series focused on the craft of making clay wind instruments will be held May 22–24 at the Berea Arts Council. The event, titled Mountain Melodies: Appalachian-Inspired Ocarinas & Wind Instruments Workshop Series, features artist Jesse McClanahan. Over three days, participants will be guided through the process of creating small,…
Madison County Beef Day Returns May 12 With Free Drive-Thru Lunch in Richmond
RICHMOND, Ky. — Madison County Beef Day returns Tuesday, May 12, with a free drive-thru lunch for the community and a nod to the region’s agricultural heritage. The 7th Annual Madison County Beef Day will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Richmond Ag Credit office, located at 1000 Ival James Blvd. in…
What Madison County Voters Need to Know Before the May 19 Primary
MADISON COUNTY, Ky. — Madison County’s 2026 Primary Election is approaching, and registered voters have several ways to cast their ballots. This includes a three-day window for no-excuse early in-person voting ahead of Primary Election Day on Tuesday, May 19. 🗳️ No-Excuse Early Voting Registered Madison County voters can cast their ballots in person during…
Levitt BLOC Berea Opens Summer Concert Season May 12 at Saint Joseph Berea
BEREA, Ky. — Berea’s free summer concert season begins Tuesday, May 12, with a kickoff event featuring live music, food trucks, and children’s activities on the hospital campus. The Levitt BLOC Berea concert runs from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Saint Joseph Berea Hospital, located at 305 Estill St. The event is presented through…
[EDITORIAL] Steve Davis Made the Right Decision, Even When It Was Hard
BEREA, Ky. — Berea City Councilmember Steve Davis has resigned from office, effective May 5, after accepting work responsibilities that will require significant travel over the coming months. Mayor Bruce Fraley announced the resignation at the top of the May 5 council meeting. Davis told local media his job would make it difficult for him…