SCRTC re-elects trustees, announces $2.25 million capital credit refund

South Central Rural Telecommunications Cooperative announced the re-election of trustees Ralph Thompson and Tim Coomer at its Oct. 15 annual meeting in Cave City. President Ronnie Tucker also announced that the cooperative will refund $2.25 million in capital credits this year, with checks scheduled to be mailed in November. According...

Farmers working to finish their last harvests and clear fields as fall continues

GLASGOW, Ky. – Now that fall is in full swing, farmers are beginning to finish up their harvests and prepare their fields for the winter. While some farmers are using a combine to cut the corn stalks, others are harvesting pumpkins and soy beans. But one thing most farmers...

Houchens Food Group Names LaForest VP Of Real Estate, Store Development

Houchens Food Group has appointed Ben LaForest as VP of real estate and store development, one of three leadership appointments the Bowling Green, Kentucky-based company says will strengthen key areas of the organization and position it for continued growth. LaForest brings more than 25 years of experience leading store development...

Landowners Pushing Back Against Proposed PREA Pipeline

In September 2022, regional economic leaders, Todd County officials and Governor Andy Beshear gathered at the Logan-Todd Regional Water Commission — and later the Elkton Rotary Club — to announce a $30 million, 53-mile gas pipeline, set to run from Guthrie to Lamasco, and every county in-betwixt. In...

Local pizza shop finds new customers through tourism efforts, social media exposure

SMITHS GROVE, Ky. — After two years of building his business, Tre PIZZA owner Todd Riggs says the days of selling just one or two pizzas are becoming a thing of the past. The small pizza shop, located on the Edmonson County side of Smiths Grove, has faced challenges attracting customers despite being just a few miles from one of south-central Kentucky’s busiest travel stops.

Three New Businesses Vying For Chamber Award

Three new Todd County businesses are in the running for the chamber New Business of the Year Award. Todd County Chamber members nominated the Elkton Wellness Center, Happy Ice Cream and Snacks, and Pennyrile Auction Company. The Elkton Wellness Center is located at 305 North Main Street in Elkton. According...

Lear steps down, Haley steps in at Pennyrile Electric Board of Directors

There’s been a change on the Pennyrile Electric Board of Directors, as longtime board member James Lear is stepping down, and John Haley of Trenton is stepping in. After serving nearly four decades, Lear will be stepping down from his position on the board at the end of the month. Lear is a retired farmer and Todd County resident, and he has represented Pennyrile Electric’s Central District on the board since December 1986.

New Warren County location to pay property tax

Houchens Food Group acquires Brooks Grocery chain

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Houchens Food Group, Inc. announced Wednesday that it is acquiring Brooks Grocery, a family-owned grocery chain based in Mississippi. According to a release by the company, the transaction includes three Brooks Grocery locations, which include Tupelo, Mississippi, Iuka, Mississippi and Chapel Hill, Tennessee. Houchens Food...

Landowners Pushing Back Against Proposed PREA Pipeline

In September 2022, regional economic leaders, Todd County officials and Governor Andy Beshear gathered at the Logan-Todd Regional Water Commission — and later the Elkton Rotary Club — to announce a $30 million, 53-mile gas pipeline, set to run from Guthrie to Lamasco, and every county in-betwixt. In...

Ford updates community on its second act in Hardin County

Ten months after 1,500 workers in Hardin County lost their jobs at Ford’s electric vehicle battery plant, hiring has begun at the automaker’s next venture. Ford Motor Company's new subsidiary, Ford Energy, is investing $2 billion into the production of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Hardin County. The site was once home to BlueOval SK, a joint venture between Ford and a South Korean partner which built electric vehicles batteries.

Todd County Chamber Announces Rising Star Finalists

Three up-and-coming community business leaders are in the running for the Todd County Chamber of Commerce Rising Star Award that will be presented at the annual dinner in November. The Todd County Chamber of Commerce announced that this year’s finalists are WEKT Team Lead Caitlin Brooks, Horizon Drone Services owner...

BG Area Chamber of Commerce names vice president of finance and administration

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the selection of Brett Lanham as vice president of finance and administration. According to a release by the chamber on Tuesday, Lanham will “provide strategic financial leadership and administrative oversight for the chamber and its affiliated entities.”

Hopkinsville Elevator Members Hear Strong Annual Report

In spite of a decrease in grain harvest and sales due to weather conditions during the 2025-26 fiscal year Hopkinsville Elevator returned more than 30 million dollars to cooperative members. Hopkinsville Elevator General Manager Eston Glover made the announcement during the recent annual meeting held at The Silo Event Center...

Billy Ray Smith remembered for lifetime of service to Kentucky agriculture

Honored by co-ops as 2013 Distinguished Rural Kentuckian. Former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith, a farmer, businessman, public servant and advocate for rural Kentucky whose work helped shape modern Kentucky agriculture, died October 10, 2026, in Bowling Green. He was 82. Smith served 14 years in the Kentucky House of Representatives, two terms as Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture from 1996 to 2004, and later as executive director of the Kentucky FFA Foundation. In 2013, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives recognized Smith as a Distinguished Rural Kentuckian, the highest honor bestowed by the association.

USDA delivers 100k check for grain elevator

U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives delivered a large check — both in size and amount — to Barren County this morning to help facilitate the construction of a grain elevator in Park City. Barren County has been awarded a $100,000 Rural Business Development Grant that will go toward...

Kentucky Farm Bureau names Steve Rogers 2026 Farmer of the Year

The Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) announced Steve Rogers of Hardin County as Kentucky Farmer of the Year in celebration of National Farmer’s Day. According to a news release, the Farmer of the Year award recognizes commitment to notable agricultural operations, community service and overall leadership skills. On Friday, December 4, Rogers will receive the award during the bureau’s annual meeting in Louisville.

USDA Rural Development program awards $50K grant to local nonprofit

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program awarded a $50,000 grant to a Bowling Green nonprofit that helps metals industries throughout Kentucky. Metals Innovation Initiative is a public-private partnership that works with manufacturers, educators and governments to solve problems affecting the state’s third...

HES General Manager talks public power, internet expansion, outage map

Hopkinsville Electric System recently celebrated Public Power Week, as they approach nearly 85 years in this community. Speaking with WHOP Radio recently, HES General Manager Jeff Hurd says while a lot has changed in that 85 years, one thing that hasn’t changed is their dedication to providing quality, reliable power to the citizens of Hopkinsville. One of those ways is their effort to expand fiber internet connectivity not just city residents, but surrounding communities.