Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed said this week she did not ask for City Manager Bruce Manley’s resignation. Manley, who notified the Board of Commissioners in a letter during the board’s Feb. 3 meeting, quit three days later. He had been the city manager since 2024. Former City Manager Mike Flynn, who held the job right before Manley, is the interim city manager.

How this 2007 album follows 2023’s Chrome Dreams I’m not quite sure, but I really like it, and I think you will too.

When the extension of Veterans Memorial Parkway (also known as the eastern bypass) is completed, it will include three roundabouts and a realignment of Boonesboro Rd with the existing Bypass Road (western bypass) to facilitate traffic between I-64 and Boonesboro. Both of these design elements represent changes to the original plan and are designed to facilitate traffic flow.

Any “feed” we open these days screams inhumanity. I wonder why we allow ourselves to be fed, like pigs from slop buckets, with stories of pedophiles, stormtrooper abductions, lawless lawmakers, and the like. End of sermon. In stark contrast to the hyperbolic culture wars, most of us navigate our days in relationship to a phenomenon we call “neighbors,” ontologically, those who “live nearby,” practically, people we count on.

Around here, word travels fast when folks think a line’s been crossed. Recently, a local middle school drama program performed a song from Legally Blonde—the bright, bouncy opener, “Omigod You Guys.” The kids sang. The audience clapped. And then, not long after, a parent went before the school board to warn that something dangerous had happened. That students had been allowed to curse. That God’s name had been taken in vain. That young souls were now at risk.

As a Republican candidate for state representative, Daniel Konstantopoulos thinks what would move Kentucky forward most is for the legislature to continue to lower the state income tax. “I’m a big proponent of cutting the income tax,” Konstantopoulos said in a recent interview with WinCity Voices. “Ultimately, we need to get that down to zero,” he added. He said the growth generated by lowering or eliminating the tax would make up for the lost revenue needed to fund state programs.

An FBI agent walks into the foyer of the Fulton County, Georgia Registration and Election Center.  She is identified by the blue vest she wears, sporting "FBI" on the front and back in large gold letters. She is accompanied by two other agents equally identified.  They approach the receptionist’s desk. “We have a federal warrant to secure documents relating to the 2020 election,” she asserts.

I find it heartening to learn the achievements of people who rise from humble beginnings.  Few are more inspiring than the life of William Webb Banks (1862-1928), the Winchester native who was born into slavery and became a noted scholar, journalist, businessman, churchman, civil rights activist and historian.  It seems appropriate to begin with his unusually long obituary in the Winchester Sun.

We are living in a time of heavy headlines and high stakes. Every day seems to demand urgency, outrage, productivity, and proof that we are informed. But this solemnity must be balanced with playful silliness. We need more whimsy, a powerful cue to our nervous system that, no matter how brutal or grief-filled our current lives, awe and beauty and safety exist as a parallel. Whimsy might feel like a frivolous luxury we can’t afford and a distraction from the work that matters. But I would argue that whimsy is crucial for our continued strength and survival.

Ending excessive tariffs and harsh immigration enforcement. Preserving the Affordable Care Act and reproductive rights. Enacting election reforms to make it easier for people to vote. These were some of the things Clark County Democrats told Cherlynn Stevenson they wanted when she brought her Mountain Democrat Listening Tour to Winchester Saturday. Stevenson, a candidate for the open 6th District congressional seat, told them they were less likely to get what they wanted unless Democrats flip the House this year.

The subject of this letter is the future of what we Clark Countians know as The Traveling Trail, and at its conclusion, I wish to make two appeals. The owner of this trail property is The Greater Clark Foundation. Part of the foundation's Mission Statement describes it as "a health legacy foundation" and states that it favors "investment in people over projects" and "ambition for a vibrant community." It goes on to say that it believes in the abundant capacity of people to create communities they cherish," and that it inspires "vision and action for a compelling future.''

Winchester City Manager Bruce Manley has abruptly resigned after less than two years on the job. In his Feb. 3 letter to Mayor JoEllen Reed and the Board of Commissioners, which was accepted at the board’s meeting Tuesday afternoon, Manley gave no reason for his leaving.

Speakers reflected on the past, looked to the future and urged courage in the present during the annual Black History Celebration presented by the Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus. Keynote speaker, educator and researcher Roger Cleveland encouraged the crowd at the Kentucky History Center Tuesday to commit to building a future that is inclusive to all while meeting the current “uncertain times” with courage.  Black History Month is a reminder that progress is never accidental, Cleveland said. “It has always been a result of people … who acted, and people who have held themselves and their institutions accountable.” Cleveland said that Kentuckians cannot “solely rely” on public officials for leadership, but they can use their gifts to better their communities.

A collection of music by Neil Young which includes many fine tunes. Try it, I know you’ll like it.

As anger keeps boiling over the actions of federal agents—especially ICE—the Trump administration is scrambling to regain control of the story. Instead of calming things down, though, their latest moves have only fueled more outrage. From Minnesota to Kentucky, Americans are expressing their displeasure with the actions of ICE, which seems to have turned from enforcing immigration law to attacking people who are simply expressing their First Amendment rights to object. But a new ICE target has emerged—journalists who are simply doing their jobs, reporting on the events so the American people can see what is happening for themselves.

The time is during the Great Depression, and the story takes place in the  fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama.  Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) is a widowed father of two children — 6-year-old Jean Louise (who goes by the nickname Scout) and her older brother Jeremy (who is called Jem).  Atticus is an attorney who often represents the poor in legal matters.  We see the story primarily through the perspective of young Scout.  Scout (Mary Badham) and her brother Jem (Phillip Alford) have become  friends with a young boy, Dill (John Megna), who visits a relative in the community each summer.  They are intrigued by a mysterious and reclusive neighbor named Boo Radley (Robert Duvall) who is depicted as a monster by  way of neighborhood gossip. 

Some days, the news doesn’t just inform, it settles into the bones. It arrives like a weather change you feel before you can name it. A pressure drop in the chest. A tightening behind the eyes. Something in the air that tells you harm is moving in, whether we’re ready for it or not. What we are witnessing right now is not policy written on paper. It is flesh and breath and fear made small by power. It is families turned into files. Names into numbers. Lives handled like problems instead of stories.

Wow. Things have been heavy, eh? The world is clearly on fire. People are clearly hurting. It’s us. We’re people. Of course, writing this from my view of an absolutely monochromatic world of grayscale outside isn’t helping my mood or the ability to digest what the above-average amount of doomscrolling I’m doing has given me. Where’s the ability to dissociate when you need it? Am I right? In all seriousness, though, I hope you’re hanging on and reaching out if you’re not hanging on. 

On a cold, icy Saturday night in late January, about 40 people gathered on the steps of the Clark County Courthouse to show support for Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and others harmed by what many see as ICE’s overreach. Adam Johnson, a Winchester employment attorney, organized the event, along with his wife. He spoke to the crowd at the start of the event. Ryan Bloyd-Wiseman, Priest in Charge of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, also offered remarks and a prayer.

One of Clark County’s most talented craftsmen was the sculptor Joel Tanner Hart (1810-1877), who won his renown creating busts and statues of Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, Cassius Clay and others.  His most famous work, Woman Triumphant, stood in the Fayette County courthouse until destroyed by fire in 1897.  He moved to Florence, Italy (1846) and returned only for the unveiling of his Henry Clay statue in front of the U.S. Capitol.

The University of Kentucky has suspended a law professor for allegedly antisemitic comments and actions.  In attempting to regain his right to teach, Ramsi Woodcock has sought to block the university’s use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [IHRA] definition of antisemitism in its actions against him.  That definition reads: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.  Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Human history is a record of changed minds. There was a time when most people believed the Earth was flat. Sailors feared falling off the edge of the world. New evidence slowly replaced fear with understanding.  We once believed disease was caused by “bad humours.” Then germ theory overturned that worldview entirely. That brave, humble mindshift saved millions of lives.

Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation has been granted an extension until June 30, 2026, to submit five overdue audits to the state Department of Local Government, following a notice of noncompliance. Parks director Jeff Lewis stated that they are prepared to meet the requirements, with the first audit expected by February 28. Misunderstandings about revenue definitions and engagement letters contributed to the delays. The parks department must complete audits for fiscal years 2019-2023 to retain state funding eligibility.

Free speech is often celebrated in theory and resisted in practice. At its core, the First Amendment is not meant to protect speech that is popular, polite, or affirming. It exists to protect speech that challenges authority — speech that makes people uncomfortable, exposes misconduct, and forces public officials to answer questions they would rather avoid. If free speech only protected viewpoints everyone agreed with, it would be worthless.

After The Beatles quieted down a bit in the late ‘60s, I began listening to Neil Young. This is his first solo album, released in late 1968. Over many years I have followed Neil and have become an avid fan, even seeing him in Louisville in the early ‘70s. Give him a listen, I think you’ll like this one. I sure do.