Welcome to The Logan Journal

MLK Unity Walk and Celebration tomorrow morning

RMS plans Winter Formal Feb. 24

From Russellville Middle School Principal Cassie Zenner: Russellville Middle School will host our first RMS formal on Thursday, Feb. 24, at the Logan Co. Ag Extension Office banquet hall. Students are encouraged to dress formally for the event or in Sunday best. Tickets are $5 each and will go on sale Monday, Jan. 24.

Logan road conditions deteriorating

A winter storm system has begun to make its way into the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3 area. The change over from rain to sleet or snow is happening rapidly as of 9 p.m. as temperatures begin to drop below freezing. Road conditions are already deteriorating in some areas and are expected to get worse overnight. The counties to west and north are being impacted now, but almost all counties are seeing frozen precipitation. Reports are coming in that Butler, Logan, Edmonson and Warren counties are seeing deteriorating road conditions. This will expand to other counties as the night goes on. 

SKYCTC campuses closed, classes virtual Thursday

Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) campuses will be closed tomorrow because of weather concerns, but faculty will teach Thursday classes online. Faculty and staff will be available virtually during office hours.

Logan Schools on NTI Thursday and Friday

Logan County Schools will remain on virtual learning the rest of this week. Maddie Rose Kirby reports: "Logan County Schools will be closed Thursday, Jan. 20, and Friday, Jan. 21, due to staffing availability. These will be NTI days #5 & 6. We were hoping to return to school tomorrow, but our COVID numbers among staff have increased since Monday. We still do not have enough staff available to monitor students. Please stay safe, and we hope to see everyone next week! " Russellville Schools had previously announced NTI days for Tuesday through Friday of this week.

Pedro Bradshaw now a Wolf

"The Iowa Wolves have added Pedro Bradhaw from the @nbagleague available player pool," the G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves announced on Twitter this afternoon. Bradshaw, a Russellville native who starred for Bellarmine University the last two years, is now with his third G League team this winter. He was also part of the organizations of the Utah Jazz and the Miami Heat, having played some productive games with both but apparently not enough for them to keep him. He still keeps being sought out by other organizations, though.

Russellville to continue health tests during NTI

Med Center Health telemedicine services will continue to be available for Russellville students this week during NTI. The school nurse will be available at RHS from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. to facilitate visits with the nurse practitioner. Flu, strep, and covid tests are available if indicated by the nurse practitioner. Please call RHS (270-726-8421) or Med Center Health School Clinic (270-586-7380) to schedule an appointment.

Whitmer announced for Bengals Saturday, not Cats

A Speaking of Sports on The LoJo Saturday wondered whether Patrick Whitmer, who is the son of Jo Whitmer (Mrs. Carroll) Riley of Russellvile, would be on the public address system for the Kentucky-Tennessee basketball game at Rupp Arena or for the Cincinnatt Bengals football playoff game. He tell us, "I was actually in Cincinnati where the Bengals won a playoff game for the first time in 31 years. But I sure did miss being at Rupp on a very special day!"

Panthers beat Logan 62-44 in Clash

After the Logan County Cougars tied the score at 28-28 on a three-pointer by Chance Sweeney in the first couple of minutes of the third quarter, the Russellville Panthers outscored their guests 34-16 the rest of the way for a 62-44 win in the Mullen-Meguiar Cat Classic Monday. Jayden Russell hit three 3-pointers in the third quarter to jump start that surge. He scored 13 points and Jovari Gamble 12 to lead Coach Carlos Quarles' team. The Panthers (4-8) had four freshmen on the floor at times, as RHS deals with illness and experienced players leaving the team. The Cougars (0-14) were led by Kade Wall with 12 points, Jack Delaney with 11 and Dakota Clinard with 9. The girls Clash was postponed because of COVID problems the Lady Panthers are experiencing. The second Clash of the Cats is scheduled a week from Friday at LCHS.

City schools going on NTI rest of week

From Russellville Superintendent Larry Begley: Due to an increase in student and staff COVID positives and quarantines, Russellville Independent Schools will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 18 through Friday, Jan. 21, and NTI days will be used.  Please log onto Google Classroom for instructions from your teacher(s) or contact your child's school if you need more assistance. With the holiday weekend, and NTI this week, this will give us nine days of time off. We are hoping that our students and our staff have time to get well and/or out of quarantine. Since this is not a weather related event, all staff members are required to report to their specific buildings, (if you are not sick or on quarantine). Extracurricular activities can continue; however, if mask participation is not a priority, we will be forced to cancel those as well.

Logan Schools going on NTI Tuesday and Wednesday

From Madison Rose: Logan County Schools will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, January 18-19.. These will be NTI days #3 & 4.  While we've been checking road conditions today, our COVID numbers have risen to the point that we do not have staff available to monitor students. We will reassess the situation and provide an update for the rest of the week on Wednesday by noon.

Girls Clash postponed, boys still on

Russellville Athletic Director Ryan Davenport announced late Sunday evening that tomorrow's girls game between RHS and Logan County has been postponed. The boys game is still on and will begin at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are still $6.

Lewisburg native and GOP leader Larry Forgy dies

Funeral services will be held in Lexington Monday for Lewisburg High School graduate Larry Forgy. He was the Republican nominee for governor in 1995, dropping a narrow 2 percent loss to Paul Patton. He was in Gov. Louie B. Nunn's cabinet before he was 30 years old and served as Kentucky chairman of Ronald Reagan's Presidential campaigns. The son of the late Lawrence and Mary Forgy of Lewisburg, Mr. Forgy's sister, Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr, is among his survivors.

Lockharts to appear on Feedback on MLK Jr. Day Monday

On Monday, Jan. 17, at 9:05 a.m., Michael Lockhart and his wife Penny Allison will be guests for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on the WRUS 610 AM and 104.9 FM radio Feedback program hosted by Don Neagle. Michael is the pastor of Elevated Baptist Church in Franklin, a United States Army veteran, and a  dental lab technician by trade. Penny is a veteran of the United States Navy, former employee of the Social Security Administration and currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership at Western Kentucky University.The call-in numbers for questions or comments are: 270-726-6100 or Toll Free 1-888-610-9787.

Muddy River food distribution set Saturday

Muddy River Baptist Church, which is located on U.S. 6-80 east of Russellville, will host its monthly Food Box Distribution this Saturday, Jan. 15, from 7 a.m. until supplies are gone. Participants will remain in their vehicle’s and food will be brought out.

Lady Panthers hosting All A regional finals tonight

The Russellville Lady Panthers will play for a championship tonight when they entertain Cumberland County at 6 p.m. in the finals of 4^th Region All A Classic. Coach Dennis Pardue’s team ran its record to 6-4 with a 54-45 win over Glasgow in Wednesday’s semifinals. Cumberland County (11-5) advanced with a 35-31 victory against Todd Central. The winner will advance to state, meeting the Region 13 champion at 9 a.m. (Russellville time) Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Eastern Kentucky University.

Lady Panthers win All A opener, play Glasgow tonight

After edging Clinton County in a 50-48 thriller Monday in the opening round of the 4th Region All A Classic, the Russellville Lady Panthers will entertain Glasgow at 8 p.m. today in the semifinals. The game will be broadcast live on WRUS. The only statistic from Monday's game that has been made public is Jordin Morris' career-high 16 rebounds. Coach Dennis Pardue wrote of Morris, "She is such a competitor. Her energy in the first half kept us in the game." RHS will take a 5-4 record into tonight's semifinals while Glasgow is 3-5. The KHSAA's RPI formula rates the Lady Panthers four points better than the Lady Scotties. Todd Central (6-6) is a two-point favorite over Cumberland County (10-5) in the other semifinal.

Logan COVID cases grow rapidly

A total of 336 new cornonavirus cases were detected in Logan County in the first week of January. That brings the two-year total to 5,959 with 97 deaths, according to the Barren River Health Department. There are 794 active COVID-19 cases in the county, up from 708 the week before. The incidence rate more than doubled furing that time from 61. per 100,000 population over a seven-day period to 130.7. It's over five times as high as the incidence rate of Thanksgiving week (25.3). Hospitalization totals were not announced.

Clash of the Cats rescheduled Jan. 18

The first Clash of the Cats of 2022 has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 17, at Russellville High School. It was postponed Friday because of heavy snow and deep freezing weather. When the Logan County teams come to RHS, it is also known as the Mullen-Meguiar Cat Classic in honor of former RHS boys basketball coaches Wayne Mullen and Mickey Meguiar. Mullen went on to RHS' first and longest-serving athletic director and assistant principal. Meguiar became assistant superintendent and principal of both RHS and Stevenson Elementary School. Both are in the Russellville Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame. Five new members--Hughey Hinton, Gwynne Gaddie, Dennis Sydnor, Sandra Eggleston Brown and the late Jonathan Cage-- will be inducted into that honor society between games.

Clash of the Cats postponed

The Logan County-at-Russellville basketball doubleheader scheduled for Friday has been postponed because of Thursday's heavy snow coupled with temperatures that won't allow for much melting. Also postponed is the induction ceremony into the Russellville Alumni Association's Hall of Fame. A new playing date has not been determined. What was to have been the second Clash of the Cats at LCHS is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 28.

Logan Schools to continue NTI schedule Friday

From Madison Kirby: Logan County Schools will be closed tomorrow, Jan. 7, due to weather. We will be on NTI Day #2.  For questions about NTI, please contact your child's teacher or the school. Stay safe and warm! 

Russellville to be on NTI Friday

From Conrad Reding: All Russellville schools will be on NTI Day #2 Friday. School buildings will be closed.

All Logan sports activities canceled today

From Athletic Director Greg Howard: All Logan County Athletics practices, events, and games are canceled for tonight.

Both school systems' buildings closed Thursday, go on NTI schedule

From Conrad Reding: Russellville Independent Schools will be closed tomorrow, Jan. 6, due to predicted inclement weather. Snow is scheduled to begin during the morning hours making dismissal a safety issue. We’d rather be safe than sorry. Tomorrow will be an NTI day for students... From Madison Kirby: Logan County Schools will be closed tomorrow, Jan. 6, due to the incoming weather. We will be on NTI Day #1. Teachers went over NTI expectations with students earlier this week. For questions, please contact your child's teacher or the school.

Price Funeral Home to have new owners

Price Funeral Home owner Bryson Price made this announcement New Year's morning: "One of the changes Susan and I will see in 2022 is our planned retirement at the end of April. After 74 years, our funeral home will (not be in the Price family). Whether the new owners change the name or leave it the same, life goes on and our community will as well. " Bryson, who took over management of the company upon the retirement of his dad, Buddy Price, said in the 42 years he has been full-time with the business, he has been on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Waldens' granddaughter to march in Rose Parade

A Russellville couple will be watching a New Year's Day tradition with special interest Saturday morning. Bill and Lynn Walden will be looking for the only high school band in the nation invited to the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. Their granddaughter, freshman Margo Bandrup, is a member of the flag corps leading the way for this 450-member band from Birmingham, Ala. Margo is the daughter of Russellville High School graduate Julie Walden Bandrup and her husband Jay. The parade will be televised live from 10 a.m. until noon on both ABC and NBC.

Masks to remain optional in Logan Schools

From Logan County Schools Commuications Director Madison Kirby: Masks will continue to be optional for the week of Jan. 3-7. Students and staff are still welcome to wear masks if they choose. Per federal mandate, masks are still required on school buses at all times. Logan County continues to monitor the county incidence rate, review weekly county average, assess rolling county averages weekly/monthly to determine trends, school quarantines, positive cases (staff and student), local/regional hospital capacity. While the county incidence rate is currently elevated, our districtwide positive cases and quarantines are low. Local and state hospital capacity (including ICU and the number of ventilators available) remain steady.

Some of Christian County may become part of Logan-Todd House district

The northeast section of Christian County would become part of the Kentucky House of Representatives district which has long been only Logan and Todd counties, according to a map of Republican proposed redistricting carried in the Lexington Herald-Leader today. That would include Crofton and the Apex and Fearsville areas. Some of the area includes an interstate. Christian County is rapidly growing while Logan and Todd have tended to stay about the same over the decades. The GOP-dominated legislature will have the final say on new legislative and Congressional districts with enough votes to override a potential veto by Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat. The 2022 General Assembly is expected to address redistricting early next week when the session begins. It's possible that the legislature could extend the filing deadline for public office as a result. The current deadline is next Friday. The current state representative for the 16th District is Jason Petrie of the Todd County area near Olmstead. The senator representing Logan and Todd is Whitney Westerville of Christian County. Senate and House boundaries are usually different, since there are fewer senate districts.

Long-time second grade teacher Hilda Lynch passes away

Hilda Stratton Lynch died in Lexington Thursday, two days after her 92nd birthday. She was a 1947 graduate of Olmstead High School and a 1951 graduate of Western Kentucky with a degree in Elementary Education. She began her teaching career in 1951 at Auburn Elementary, teaching first grade for two years. For the next 38 years, she taught second grade in the Russellville Independent School system. By the end of her career, she had taught the grandchildren of some of her first students. She was a  member of First Baptist Church Russellville for 64 years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William T. “Chuck” Lynch, a long-time teacher and Central Office staffer for the city schools. Her funeral will be held Monday in Russellville.

Logan's COVID-19 cases growing

Logan County recorded 138 new Coronavirus positive tests in the week which ended Wednesday, Dec. 29, according to the Barren River Health Department. Since the virus began, Logan has recorded 5,623 cases of COVID-19 since recordkeeping began about two years ago. There have been 97 recorded COVID deaths with 4,818 recoveries. That computes to 708 current active cases in the county. Logan’s incidence rate of 61.1 is the second highest currently among the eight counties in the Barren River District.

Lady Cougars crush Lexington Christian

Running their record to 9-2, the Logan County Lady Cougars cruised past Lexington Christian 48-18 Monday in the opening round of the Don Franklin Classic at Cumberland County. Kadyn Costello scored 13 and Nora Epley 10. Gracie Borders pulled down 12 rebounds and Tykylah Mason hit 2 of 3 three-point attempts. Coach Dedra Adler's team plays Clinton County at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Classic.

Friday last day to change party registration for May

Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams reminds Kentuckians who wish to update their political party affiliation to do so by Dec. 31, in order to be eligible to vote in the May 17, 2022 primary election. “If you are currently a registered voter and want to vote in a political party’s primary election next May, by law you must be registered to vote in that party by this Friday,,” said Adams. “Anyone wishing to update party affiliation, or any other voter information, can visit sos.ky.gov, click on ‘Elections’ and select ‘Register to Vote’.” In each regular session of the General Assembly since he took office, Adams has asked legislators to extend the party-switch deadline to closer to the primary election date.

Lady Cougar Kadyn Costello named Player of the Game

Lady Cougar senior Kadyn Costello was named the Rafferty’s/Double Dog’s Player of the Game in a 51-41 win over Green County Wednesday. Her stats: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 deflection. Logan County ran its record to 8-2, and Coach Dedra Adler's team joined Monroe County at 2-1 in the tournament while the other two teams finished 1-2. The Lady Cougars will resume play Monday against Lexington Christian in the Don Franklin Classic at Cumberland County Monday. The next two days they are scheduled to play Clinton County and McCreary County in the same event.

Gracie Borders leads Lady Cougar win

The Logan County Lady Cougars ran their record to 7-2 with a  51-41 win over host Edmonson County in the Rafferty’s/Double Dog Classic Tuesday. Junior Gracie Borders was named Player of the Game. She totaled 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assist, 6 steals, 1 deflection.  Coach Dedra Adler's team will play Green County at 1:45 p.m. today in the tournament.

Lady Panther game Monday moved to 2 p.m.

The Russellville Lady Panthers’ game Monday has been moved to 2 p.m. at Jim Young Gymnasium. It will be varsity only and admission is free. The opponent is Caverna (2-5). Coach Dennis Pardue’s Lady Panthers are 3-1. They started the season with wins over Ohio County, University Heights and Clarksville Northwest before a 45-34 loss at Butler County Monday.

Zappe sets pair of NCAA records as WKU wins Boca Raton Bowl 59-38

WKU Football quarterback Bailey Zappe completed 33-of-47 passes for 422 yards and six touchdowns, leading the Hilltoppers to a 59-38 victory over App State in the 2021 RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl on Saturday. With 5,967 passing yards and 62 passing touchdowns in 14 contests this season, Zappe set new all-time single-season FBS records. The previous record holders were Texas Tech's B.J. Symons, who had 5,833 passing yards in 13 games in 2003 and LSU's Joe Burrow, who had 60 passing touchdowns in 15 games in 2019 during the Tigers' national championship season.

Logan County Schools to be open Wednesday

From Morgan Kirby: All Logan County Schools will be open Wednesday, Dec. 15. If your student is a bus rider and you have any questions, please call the Bus Garage at 270-726-3889.

Logan County Schools to remain closed Tuesday

Logan County Schools will be closed again tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 14, according to the system's spokeperson, Madison Rose Kirby.

Items needed from donations and places to donate listed

Many people and organizations are involved in helping those who suffered great losses during the Friday night/Saturday morning tornado which cause major damage in Western Kentucky, including North Logan. Logan County Emergency Services Director Terry Cole said Monday morning on WRUS that federal officials have been surveying the damage in Logan County and are preparing to help. He said 99 homes were designated as having suffered significant damage and some 40 of them were completely destroyed. See attached a list of items needed and places to take donations. The lists are from the Logan County Chamber of Commerce.

Chevis Elliott All-State again

Russellville senior Chevis Elliott has been named an all-state defensive back by Kentucky Sports Radio. Elliott made 9 interceptions and returned them 130 yards and a touchdown, led the team in solo tackles with 57 and was second overall with 82, caused a fumble and recovered one, rushed 65 times for 471 (over 7 yards per carry) for 4 touchdowns, and caught 5 passes for 42 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was third team all-state overall last year.

Lady Cougars to make up Friday's canceled game

The Lady Cougars will make up Friday's postponed games with visiting Ohio County this Thursday, Athletic Director Greg Howard has announced. Meanwhile the middle school boys games Monday and Thursday have been canceled.

Both school systems closed tomorrow

Following this week’s storms which have wreaked havoc in this area, both local school systems have announced that school will not be in session Monday. From Russellville Superintendent Larry Begley: With respect to the various needs of our community and school family, there will be no school in Russellville Independent tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 13. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.” The statement from Logan County says simply, “All Logan County Schools will not have school tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 13).”

Adairville's Bouldin chosen for select leadership cohort

Lori Bouldin, principal of Adairville School, for being inducted into the 2022 Cohort of Kentucky Women in Education Leadership! Mrs. Bouldin joins Cohort 3 Member Contessa Orr, a Logan County Central Office administrator, in representing Logan County Schools. KWEL members are selected after a competitive application process, and benefit from professional leadership development, a network of women in leadership positions at schools across the state, mentoring programs, and more.

Lady Cougar game tonight canceled

From Logan County Assistant Athletic Director Todd Adler: Due to a threat of severe weather tonight the girls JV/Varsity basketball games against Ohio County have been canceled. 

Lady Cougars play at home tonight

The Logan County Lady Cougars will take a 2-1 record into tonight's home games against Ohio County. WRUS will broadcast the varsity game beginning about 7 p.m. Emily Borders scored 16 points including 7 of 7 shooting from the field in a 39-22 win over Edmonson County earlier this week.

Concerned Citizens to let youths pick presents for parents

Youth ranging from first through twelfth grades can come to the Concerned Citizens building on East Fifth Street in Russellville Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. to select Christmas gifts for their parents. They can also register to win one of five bicycles or a dirt bike.

RHS' Benton named state Class 1A Coach of the Year

Russellville Panther Head Coach Mikie Benton has been named Kentucky Class 1A State Football Coach of the Year by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association. The Panthers finished as state runner-up with a 12-2 record, 31 seasons after RHS' last state finals appearance. Benton holds the distinctions of being the youngest head coach in program history along with being the first African-American head coach and the first RHS alumnus of lead his alma mater. Benton quarterbacked the Panthers for Coach John Myers and then served as an assistant coach at RHS following his career as a starter in the University of Kentucky secondary. He then was chosen to succeed Myers as the head coach patroling the sidelines of Ken Barrett Field at Rhea Stadium, beginning with the 2018 season.

Fire destroys The Whitz in Russellville

An early morning fire in downtown Russellville during the night-time hours Sunday morning destroyed event venue The Whitz on East Fourth Street. Russellville Fire Department was able to save the adjacent Creative Canvas by You building with the assistance of Russellville Rural Fire Department and Auburn Fire Department. A small parking lot separates the burned building from the dental office of Dr. Dale Clark. The Whitz had been purchased and remodeled by Dewayne and Liz Whittaker after serving as the home of Pillow Brothers Plumbing for decades.

Panthers gain momentum at halftime in state finals

After trailing 30-13 with four seconds remaining in the half, the Russellville Panthers had cut Pikeville’s lead to 30-27 just two and a half minutes into the second half in the state Class 1A championship game at the University of Kentucky Friday. Special teams had struggled mightily with 26 seconds remaining in the half before Chevis Elliott returned a 71-yard kickoff to the Pikeville 5-yard-line with 10 seconds left. RHS scored on the last play before intermission on a 3-yard TD pass from Jovari Gamble to Rooster Woodard. Dustin Brown’s PAT team cut the lead to 30-20 and sent the Panthers to the dressing room with momentum. Then early in the third quarter, Jaquis Todd returned from injury to score his second touchdown on a 45-yard reverse. Brown’s kick cut the Pikeville lead to three. The fourth quarter began with that same 30-27 Pikeville lead.

Lady Cougars start b'ball season strong

With a 55-35 win over Glasgow Tuesday, the Logan County Lady Cougars got their basketball season off to a great start. Coach Dedra Adler’s team was led by Nora Epley with 15 points and Gracie Borders with 14. Mia Cassidy led the Lady Scotties with 15. The Lady Cougars will entertain Butler County Friday.