Lexington has received a $3.76 million federal grant to build phases four and five of Town Branch Trail. The 1.5-mile extension will run from the Lexington Fire Training Academy on Old Frankfort Pike to Bizzell Drive, advancing a planned connection between Masterson Station and downtown. Construction is expected to begin this summer; officials have not announced a completion date. The trail will link with Town Branch Commons and the Legacy Trail as part of a 22-mile network.
Hunter Hill and Maddie Williams have become Kentucky’s first and second female wilderness paramedics, respectively, Georgetown-Scott County EMS said. The agency announced the milestones in a Facebook post, describing them as a step toward opening the field to others. The women serve with GSCEMS in Scott County.
The Greater Clark Foundation and Clark County Community Foundation committed $300,000 to Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s planned James A. and Martha R. Brown Regional Workforce Training Center in Winchester. The grants—$200,000 over two years and $100,000 over four—will support training in manufacturing, skilled trades, nursing and healthcare, with some funds tied to employer matching contributions. The center is intended to serve Clark and nearby counties; no opening date was announced.
University of Kentucky residence halls across South and Central campus hosted the SouthCentral Late Night Carnival Oct. 22 on Hilltop Lawn, bringing students together for Halloween-themed games, food and prizes. The event paired social activities with risk-reduction trivia on alcohol, sexual assault, overdose and intimate partner violence. Organizer Kelsie Thorpe said the goal was to make safety education accessible while giving students a chance to connect.
Lexington’s City Council unanimously recommended denying a rezoning request for multiple historic downtown buildings. The proposed development would provide luxury student housing for the University of Kentucky.
Ravenna police and a SWAT team conducted an investigation on Sapp Road. The available information does not specify what prompted the investigation or whether anyone was detained.
Niagara Bottling opened its $141 million beverage manufacturing and distribution facility Oct. 22 at the C5 Airport East Logistics Center in Elsmere, Kenton County. The 436,000-square-foot facility is the California-based company’s first manufacturing operation in Kentucky and adds 60 full-time jobs. Construction began in early 2025 on the 52-acre site, and $669,000 in county site-development funding supported installation of power transmission lines.
The University of Kentucky’s Student Leaders for International Programming in Arts and Sciences held an Italian-themed cultural exchange Oct. 22 at the International Center, part of a biweekly event series. Students practiced Italian greetings and played Pictionary featuring Italian dishes, while organizers shared the dishes’ histories. Student organizers said the events can broaden perspectives, build empathy and make learning about other cultures feel more accessible.
The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees accepted a $30 million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation for The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, in Lexington. Plans for improvements and renovations will be announced at a celebration on Oct. 29. The 100-acre public garden on UK’s campus opened in 1991 as a joint effort by the university and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
Fayette County Clerk Susan Lamb is urging voters to review their sample ballots before going to the polls, saying it could reduce wait times. No-excuse early voting runs Oct. 29-31, and Election Day is Nov. 3. The ballot includes federal, state and local races, a state constitutional amendment and three city charter amendments. Voters can find ballots by precinct at fayettekyclerk.gov/elections/sample-ballots.
Lexington’s Department of Social Services has recommended 24 organizations for opioid abatement grants totaling $3,029,681 to support prevention, treatment and recovery programs. Funded by national opioid settlement money, the awards include one- and two-year grants. Shepherd’s House says its grant would provide rental assistance for people in recovery housing. The recommendations go to the City Council for review and a vote Oct. 27.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Planning Commission unanimously recommended denying UpCampus’ East High Street rezoning request Thursday, after a public hearing that lasted more than nine hours. Residents, preservation advocates and other stakeholders spoke at the hearing. The proposal has drawn debate over housing and effects on historic Aylesford. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council will ultimately decide whether to approve or reject the rezoning.
A report says Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Anton Harrison will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury. The report was published by the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Longtime Lexington broadcaster Doug High is returning to WKYT on Monday, Nov. 2, as co-host and producer of weekday lifestyle show Everyday Kentucky with India Jones. He will also co-anchor WKYT Mornings at 7 and 8 a.m. on CW Lexington with Destiny Quinn and fill in on other newscasts. High spent 17 years at WTVQ and previously worked at WKYT in 2000. Dave Baker will continue appearing on Everyday Kentucky and producing his WKYT+ programs.
Lexington firefighters responded to a reported fire at a Papa John’s restaurant at 2937 Richmond Road around 8:53 a.m. Friday. Crews found smoke coming from the roofline and a fire in a hallway, which they quickly extinguished before checking for spread to other parts of the building. No injuries were reported. A fire investigator is working to determine the cause and origin.
Lexington-based snack maker WILDE secured a $40 million investment from S2G Investments to expand production, develop new products and grow its national presence. Founded in 2015, the company has surpassed $100 million in sales and sells its chicken-based protein chips and crackers in more than 35,000 retail locations. The investment follows the opening of a 130,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that increased production capacity sixfold.
Louisville-based Dan-O’s Seasoning is expanding into desserts with Dan-O’s Delights, a new line featuring Cinn-O Crunch, a honey, cinnamon and brown sugar blend, and Choc-O Crunch, made with chocolate, honey, brown sugar and Madagascar vanilla. The 5-ounce shakers can be mixed into batters and doughs or sprinkled on foods such as ice cream and fruit. Both launch Oct. 23 on the company’s website for $8.96 each.