News Briefs on The LoJo in July 2026
July 2, 2026
Adairville plans big 250th anniversary gala Friday
The people of Adairville, South Logan and beyond are throwing a gigantic birthday party for America this weekend, all of us are invited to be there, and admission is free. Sponsored by the Adairville-South Logan Chamber of Commerce and the City of Adairville and beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, “Adairville Celebrates America 250 Years of Independence” will be held at the Adairville Community Park off North Main Street. Live music, food and fireworks will be featured.
July 15, 2026
Bouncy Palooza offered for free in Auburn
Free family fund can be found at Auburn’s McCutchen-Coke Park this Saturday from 4-8 p.m. Auburn Tourism is hosting Bouncy Palooza with five inflatables, a foam cannon, and foody by Dogg Fatherz July18. There is no charge.
July 15, 2026
Services set for founding director of LCHS band Martha Bayles
Martha Maynard Bayles, who was the first director of the Logan County Marching Cougars and also taught at Olmstead, Chandlers and Auburn schools, died July 11, 2026 at her Bowling Green home at age 72. From the school’s beginning in the fall of 1982 until now, she set the standard for running a large and successful band program. Among her survivors are her husband, David Bayles, two children and four grandchildren. A celebration of life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Woodburn Baptist Church. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Woodburn Baptist Church. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Hospice of Southern Kentucky, 5872 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101 or Woodburn Baptist Church.
July 15, 2026
Jackson’s Orchard not coming to Logan Thursday
Jackson'sOrchard & Nursery has notified The LoJo that they will NOT be coming to Russellville Thursday. Founder Bill Jackson said that all of their peaches are needed for a festival at their main location in Bowling Green this weekend. He apologized for the late notice and said he will announce early next week if there will be further outreaches to Russellville this summer. The popular fruit market has sent peaches here the last three weeks.
July 20, 2026
Sweet Summertime at the Farmers’ Market Tuesday
Youngsters ages 3-12 will be treated to prize packages Tuesday afternoon at the Logan County Farmers’ Market. The first 50 kids ages 3-5 and the first 100 ages 6-12 who arrive from noon to 2 p.m. will get the packets. Included will be Farmers’ Market Bucks that can be used for the purchase of foods or other items at the Farmers’ Market, which is throughout the Farmers’ Market season, which runs through October. Teen 4-H entrepreneurs will have their wares for sale, too. including Grace and Logan Church, who have been joined by their mom Victoria at weekly Farmers’ Market sessions all summer.
July 25, 2026
Auburn Bank honoring CEO Brian White for 28 years
Auburn Bank is honoring President/CEO Brian White for 28 years of administrative service to the bank. A graduate of Logan County High School, he is also in the new role of Chairman of the Board of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce after having served as its president several years ago. He is an active member of Russellville Rotary Club and an elder of Crittenden Drive Church of Christ. Auburn Bank is an advertiser on The Logan Journal.
July 29, 2026
Cougar Connection for LCHS frosh Monday
Logan County High School will hold its annual Cougar Connection this Monday, Aug. 3, from 1-3 p.m. for incoming freshmen. Those attending can meet teachers, find rooms, and get schedules for the 2026-27 school year, which begins two days later. Entrance is through the main gymnasium.
July 29, 2026
Sixty-Eight Eighty band to perform Friday Concert
The Sixty-Eight Eighty band will perform at the Logan County Chamber of Commerce’s Concert @ Carrico this Friday, beginning at 7 p.m. at Carrico Park Square. Admission is free.
July 29, 2026
Tisdale to be inducted into state hall of fame
Fred Tisdale, who led the Logan County Cougars to the 1984 state basketball championship in only the second year of the school’s existence, will be inducted into the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame Aug, 22 in Lexington. Tisdale was named Sweet 16 MVP and was runner-up for Mr. Basketball. A few years ago, he was named one of the 50 greatest players in state tournament history. Another Logan County great, Olmstead High School graduate Lillie Mason, was previously inducted into this hall of fame. Both Tisdale and Mason played collegiately for Western Kentucky University,
July 29, 2026
Cougar soccer Blue-White games Friday
Logan County girls and boys soccer Blue-White games will be Friday evening at the LCHS soccer field.Long-time coach Barry McReynolds’ Lady Cougars will divide into two squads and scrimmage beginning at 5:30. New boys coach Daniel McCarley will do the same for the Cougars at 7. McCarley, who played soccer at Russellville High and then at Ohio Valley College, was the founding coach of Lady Cougar soccer. He’s the long-time youth minister of Crittenden Drive Church of Christ. His son, tennis standout Trapper McCarley, is a member of the soccer team.
July 31, 2026
Long-time leaders Judge Fuqua and James Milam pass away
Two of the most effective and dedicated leaders Russellville High School has ever produced have passed away within a few hours of each other the past two days. Former Circuit Judge/industrial recruiter William G. Fuqua died Thursday at age 95. Russellville School Board Chairman/former Russellville City Attorney James Milam, 84, died early Friday morning. Summers and Son Funeral Home is in charge of both funerals. The LoJo will have details later.
News Briefs on The LoJo in June 2026
June 1, 2026
LCHS’ Adkins and Cox named Governor’s Scholars
Logan County High School seniors-to-be Natalie Cox and Owen Adkins have been selected for the prestigious Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program! An announcement says, "This honor reflects their hard work, leadership, academic excellence, and dedication both inside and outside the classroom. Being chosen as a Governor’s Scholar is an outstanding achievement, and we are excited to see all they accomplish this summer and beyond."
June 7, 2026
Panther basketball Summer Games Monday
Again this week, Russellville High School and Russellville Middle School are hosting three other schools for basketball Summer Games. The visitors are Owensboro Apollo, Muhlenberg County and Metcalfe County. Coach Trey Tinsley’s high school Panthers will play Monday at 2 and 4 p.m. Coach Ryan Davenport’s middle school team will tip off at 3 and 5. A $5 gate fee allows you to watch all the games. Ribeye sandwiches will be available to purchase.
June 7, 2026
Services set for first aluminum plant manager at Logan
John Gatlin, 84, died Friday in Russellville, which has been his family’s home since he came here to be the first manager of the aluminum plant at Epley Station in the early 1980s. It was first known as Anaconda Aluminum and then ARCO Aluminum before the U.S. Justice Department created a corporate island known as Logan Aluminum to avoid restriction of trade after Alcan Aluminium purchased a major portion of it. After being succeeded by Fred Mudge as the head of the new corporation, Mr. Gatlin stayed with the plant for several decades in management positions until his retirement. His late wife, Lolette Gatlin, taught in the city schools until her retirement. Among his survivors are their daughters, Stephanie Wilson and Courtney Watkins and their families. Services will be held Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Temple on Russellville’s Main Street. Visitation begins at 11.
June 8, 2026
DAR to retire flags on Flag Day
Russellville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is holding a Flag Retirement Ceremony on Flag Day, Sunday, June 14, at 2 p.m. outside the historic Logan County Courthouse. Residents are encouraged to bring their worn or tattered flags for proper retirement. Flags may also be dropped off at the Logan County Archives, 278 W 4th Street, Russellville, daily until 4:30 p.m. or Saturday, June 13 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.
June 9, 2026
Will McKenzie qualifies for golf’s Kentucky Open
Coach Will McKenzie of Logan County golf has qualified for the Kentucky Open, which includes professional and amateur golfers. Indian Hills Country Club in Bowling Green is the host. The membership, which includes the McKenzie family, is entitled to six berths in the field. The first went to reigning club champion Drake Duncan, son of former Russellville High School golfer David Duncan, and grandson of the late Buddy and Mattie Duncan. Those interested in being in the state tournament played a qualifying round. McKenzie placed second with a 71, two strokes behind Christian Tooley. The tournament will be played July 28-20.
June 9, 2026
Exhibits can be entered for Logan County Fair
4-H and open class exhibits for prizes and viewing during the Logan County Fair during can be entered at the Logan County Extension Office next Monday-Wednesday, June 15-17. The exhibits can be viewed Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For information about what can be entered, call the Extension office at 270-726-6323.
June 13, 2027
Volunteers needed Sunday for Flag Retirement Ceremony
Response to a special Flag Retirement Observance in Logan County on Flag Day (tomorrow, Sunday) has been so great that a call is going out for volunteers to assist with the ceremony. The Russellville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is holding a Flag Retirement outside the historic Logan County Courthouse. Residents are encouraged to bring their worn or tattered flags for proper retirement. They also been dropped off at the Logan County Archives, “There are nearly 100 flags. We're going to need help,” says Denise Shoulders of the Genealogical Society. “We need people to show up and participate in laying the flags on the fire.”
June 14, 2026
Lady Cougars strike Gold at Hoptown
The Logan County Lady Cougars were the top volleyball team in Summer Play Day hosted at the long-time home of Hopkinsville High School Saturday. Logan Team 1 was dominant from start to finish, going undefeated with a perfect 5-0 record and capturing 1st Place in the Gold Bracket. Logan Team 2 battled hard against tough competition, finishing with a 2-3 record and advancing to the Silver Bracket Semifinals. “A great day of competition for both teams as they continue to prepare for the upcoming season,” says Coach Steven Lyne.
June 20, 2026
Russellville Rural receives training facility grant
Russellville Rural Fire Department is the recipient of the Training Facility Grant offered to all fire departments across the state. “We applied and were awarded $43,000 to use towards our now under construction Fire Training Facility that will be available to our community fire departments as well!” says Chief Cheryl Allen. “We are so excited to be moving forward with this project! Feeling very blessed!”
June 22, 2026
Lee Dockins wins USA Games Gold for All-Around
Logan County’s most honored athlete in history has added another national championship to her resume. Logan County Athletic Hall of Famer Lee Dockins won the Gold Medal in Gymnastics in the All-Around division Tuesday during the Special Olympics Games USA in Minnesota. It’s her third time to be named America’s best Special Olympics gymnast. Her parents, Sharon and Harris Dockins, are with her in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Gymnastics competition is being held at the University of Minnesota.
June 27, 2026
Medina Tipton represents KY at Washington event
The Kentucky Office of Rural Health Flex Coordinator Medina Tipton representing Kentucky on Capitol Hill during the National Association of Rural Health Clinics 2026 Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., on June 11..Alongside advocates from across the country, Medina met with congressional offices to highlight the essential role RHCs play in improving access to care in rural communities across the Commonwealth. She shared Kentucky’s voice in supporting policies that strengthen rural health! Medina—a graduate of Russellville High School—is the daughter of retired Russellville educators Connie Tipton and the late Coach Matt Tipton.