Category: Government and Civic
Reporting on local government, elections, city councils, public meetings, civic organizations, public policy, and community issues affecting Madison County residents.
đźš› Berea Transfer Station: What Locals Need to Know Before Hauling a Load
Most towns have a place everybody calls “the dump.” In Berea, the more accurate name is the Berea Transfer Station. That may sound like a small wording change, but it matters. A transfer station is not the same thing as a landfill. It is a place where waste is collected locally before being moved somewhere…
đźš° 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…
đźš› 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,…
Berea Fourth of July Celebration Expected to Bring Families Together at City Park 🎆
Berea’s Fourth of July celebration is taking shape for 2026, with the city’s traditional City Park event offering a useful early planning guide.
Madison County Schools Summer Feeding Program Kicks Off June 1
MADISON COUNTY, Ky. — Madison County Schools will launch its summer feeding program Monday, June 1, with a kickoff event for families at the Glenn Marshall Elementary and B. Michael Caudill Middle School parking lot. The kickoff will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the GME/BMCMS parking lot. The district states the summer…
⛳💧 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 đź“Ł 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 đź’° 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 âś….…
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…
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…
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…
⚡ Power Conservation Alerts in Berea: What They Are, When They Happen, and What to Do When You See One
BEREA, Ky. — A “Power Conservation Alert” is not the same thing as a power outage. It is simply Berea Municipal Utilities (BMU) telling the community that overall electricity demand is expected to be very high, and that small changes from a lot of customers can help keep the grid stable and lower costs during…
đźš« Help Us Slam the Scam on March 5
BEREA, Ky. — Scam calls, texts, and emails are not just a big-city problem. They hit small towns hard because scammers rely on two psychological triggers that work anywhere: urgency and trust. Thursday, March 5, 2026, is National Slam the Scam Day. Led by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the SSA Office of the…
🚗 Berea Debates Proposed “Inoperative Vehicle” Ordinance as City Weighs Safety, Fairness, and What Streets Should Look Like
BEREA, Ky. — A proposed Berea ordinance aimed at inoperative vehicles is quickly becoming one of the most debated items on the City Council docket—not because anyone loves seeing a car on flats sitting for weeks, but because residents disagree on what enforcement should look like and who it could impact. Council heard a first…
🏗️ Blue Grass Army Depot Lines Up New Post-Chemical Mission With Military Container Project, Planning Money in Place
BEREA, Ky. — As the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) continues its transition away from the chemical weapons destruction era, local and state officials say a new mission is taking shape that could help stabilize employment in southern Madison County. The most concrete public step so far is federal funding for the planning and design…
🏛️ Mayor Fraley Highlights City Finances in State of the City Recap as 2026 Mayor Race Field Grows
BEREA, Ky. — Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley’s annual State of the City message put the spotlight on finances, with the City of Berea emphasizing budget savings and reserves as evidence the city is on steady footing. In the city’s recap, officials reported Berea finished the 2023–2024 fiscal year having spent $1.75 million less than budgeted.…
⚖️ Court Date Set in Berea College Forest vs. EKPC Dispute Over Proposed Power Line Route
BEREA, Ky. — The legal fight between Berea College and East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) is headed toward a major court hearing. According to reporting by The Edge, Madison County Circuit Court Judge Kristin Clouse has set a hearing for Feb. 26, 2026, in EKPC’s case seeking the right to take about one mile of…
🏗️ Farristown’s Long-Closed Bridge Is Finally Coming Down — Replacement Targeted for Nov. 1
BEREA, Ky. — After nearly five years of detours, the Menelaus Road / KY 1983 bridge in Farristown is entering the “no turning back” phase: demolition of the old one-lane wooden bridge is expected soon, and a new two-lane steel girder bridge is targeted to open by Nov. 1, 2026, according to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet…
⚡ Are You Signed Up for BMU Alerts? Here Is Where to Check First During Outages, Plus What a Boil Water Advisory Means
BEREA, Ky. — When the lights flicker or water pressure drops, the fastest way to cut through rumor is to know where your utility posts updates. Berea Municipal Utilities (BMU) says its customer notification system can send alerts about scheduled power outages, major service interruptions, and boil water advisories by text or automated voice calls.…