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Residents say bridge on Aarons Run has been closed too long

From left, Jerry Lansdale; his son, Shannon Lansdale; and Allen “Buck” Prewitt say they are fed up waiting for activity with the Aarons Run bridge that has been out since July of 2025. Shannon Lansdale and John Judy both have farms separated by the bridge. They travel several extra miles a day to get to their farms on the other side of the bridge.
Shannon Lansdale says he has to travel an extra 12 miles every time he wants to access the other side of his farm. That’s because a bridge is out on Aarons Run Road. It’s been out for more …
Kendall Daugherty

Trial dates set in attempted murder case

A judge has set jury trial dates for a man charged in a 2024 attempted murder case. At a court hearing Oct. 9, Circuit Judge David Barber scheduled Kendall Daugherty 24, of Lexington, to go on …
German Eduardo Morales Valladares

5'4 Hispanic male allegedly attempted using ID of 6'2 white male for employment at local factory

A Hispanic male who allegedly tried passing himself as someone else is facing multiple charges, including theft of identity. German Eduardo Morales Valladares, 32, of Mt. Sterling,   was …

Complaint warrant details events that allegedly resulted in hit and run death

Prior to her death, Felicia Gail Joseph claimed to her sister that now murder suspect Arionne Harris raped her.   Harris is a lifetime sex offender registrant and had a warrant prior to the …

128 residents participate in final free landfill disposal day

Montgomery County residents took part in the final free landfill disposal day of 2026. A total of 128 residents brought in 71.9 tons of waste to the Montgomery County Landfill Saturday, Oct. 10, …
Screenshot

Murder suspect extradited back to Ky., booked in MCRJ

The Advocate has learned Arionne Harris has been extradited back to Kentucky.  He is currently listed as an inmate in the Montgomery County Regional Jail. He was booked Saturday, Oct. 10.  …
Additional Local News - Sponsored by Traditional Bank
Update on I-64 rehabilitation project in Montgomery/Clark
I-64 Rehabilitation Project Update – Clark & Montgomery Counties  Crews are currently working on mainline paving operations along I-64 between mile points 101.7 and 117.8, with paving …
Phillip Rutledge
Man charged with having weapon on school grounds allegedly had small bottles of Fireball in pants pockets, citation claims
The Advocate has obtained the uniform citation concerning the incident at McNabb Middle Tuesday, in which a man is facing charges after allegedly being intoxicated with a loaded handgun on school …
Chamber/Economic Development Director addresses KFC closure
The Advocate has received a statement from Jason Rainey, executive eirector of Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Economic Development/Chamber of Commerce, in reference the closing of the local KFC …
Sarah Congleton
Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science
A Holiday Tradition Returns: Montgomery County Extension Homemakers Annual Bazaar
Source: Sarah Congleton, Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Montgomery County   There’s something special about the start of the holiday season—the decorations come out, …
Photo of rattlesnake at MCHS courtesy Zack Tyra
Rattlesnake discovered at MCHS relocated to farm
School resource officers with Montgomery County Schools discovered a timberland rattlesnake at the high school Wednesday, according to the individual who removed it. Zack Tyra, an experienced …
Chris Barrier.
Barrier: Existing bushes, vegetation next to MCHS gym removed to ensure no other snakes in vicinity
The following is a statement from Chris Barrier, Chief Operations Officer, for Montgomery County Schools in regard to the rattlesnake discovered at MCHS Wednesday. Barrier said the rattlesnake was …
20-plus Sept. grand jury indictments dismissed
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Davis has ordered the dismissal of 22 indictments and one superseding indictment returned by the Montgomery County Grand Jury Sept. 25. In an order included in each of …
Judge explains ruling in Michael Dunn case
Circuit Judge David Barber told the Advocate it’s unfortunate he had to expunge the record recently of Michael Allen Dunn, but he had no discretion to do otherwise under the law as it is written …
Justin Botts, left, and Harley Botts bought toy ducks from Bobby Barnes as part of a fundraiser for Relay for Life Saturday at First United Methodist Church.
Annual Relay event held
Relay for Life was held Saturday at First United Methodist Church. The theme was "Never Too Many Candles," focused on more birthdays for cancer survivors. Rebecca Stone, a cancer survivor, …
Obituaries
Jane Kellar Stockdale, 75
Jane Kellar Stockdale, 75, of Mt. Sterling, died Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Mt. Sterling Health and Rehabilitation. Born Sept. 28, 1951, in Middletown, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late …
Onley Christopher Marcum, 59
Onley Christopher Marcum, 59, of Stanton, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in Lexington. Born Nov. 23, 1966, in Irvine, he was the son of the late Onley Earl and Alweena Ratliff Marcum.   He …
Christopher Nathan Lewis, 24
Christopher Nathan Lewis, 24, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Mt. Sterling. Born Oct. 5, 2001, in Louisville, he was the son of Jonathan Lewis and Connie Adams Lewis. He …
Billy Ray Shoemaker, 86
Billy Ray Shoemaker, 86, of Jeffersonville, died Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, at his home. Born Jan. 14, 1940, in Mt. Sterling, he was the son of the late Walter Scott and Audie Mae Vice Shoemaker. …
Mary Buchanan, 79
Mary Buchanan, 79, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born March 10, 1947, in the mountains of Frenchburg, she was the daughter of Waverly and Delta Buchanan. …
Advocate sports

The Final Whistle: A front-row seat to other peoples' lives

Logan McCormick and Julie Bonfield (mother and son) watched in support of Brooks Bonfield last year at the state golf event.
I’ve spent a lot of years standing on the sidelines. Football fields, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, gymnasiums, and countless places in between. And somewhere along the way, I …

BIG PLAY! Eli Duff picks off pass in final minute to seal victory for frosh/JV football Indians!

Eli Duff celebrates a game saving interception in victory against Powell Co.
While the varsity Indians continue their search for their first win, Montgomery Co.’s freshman and junior varsity players gave the program something to celebrate Saturday, earning a hard-fought …
Riley Sammons and Madelyn Taylor were the top finishers for MoCo in the 5,000 meter race.

Cross Country shines at Area 7 Championships

The Montgomery Co. cross country program delivered an impressive showing Saturday at the KTCCCA Area 7 Cross Country Championships in Mason Co., competing against approximately 600 runners …

McNabb Lady Indians close season with growth

The McNabb Middle School Lady Indians wrapped up their basketball season this week in the Bluegrass Conference Tournament, bringing an end to a year that head coach Tanton Kiser believes represents a …

Where's the Beautiful, Mark?

(LEXINGTON, Ky.) — Something was missing from Mark Pope's appearance at SEC Basketball Media Day. I couldn't quite put my finger on it at first. The smile seemed a little less expansive. The …

ROLL TRIBE! Lady Indians advance to District Championship

The Montgomery County High School Lady Indians defeated defending champions Bourbon Co. in sudden death PKs Monday. They advance to the 39th District Championship Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 5:30 pm …