LYON, France (AP) — Church bells tolled in mourning. Well-wishers flocked into pews. Tributes to Pope Francis poured in from around the world on Monday after the Vatican announced the pontiff’s death at age 88.

The 266th pope was praised for his groundbreaking steps to honor the poor and the vulnerable; seek to end conflicts like those in the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa; protect the environment; and guide the Catholic Church toward greater tolerance of gays and lesbians, among other things. Some critics say he didn’t always go far enough. Others said he went too far.

Many recalled his legacy as the first pope from Latin America, and the first Jesuit to reach the pinnacle of church hierarchy, one who stressed humility over hubris for a Church beset with scandal and indifference.

Here’s a look at some of the global reactions a day after his last public appearance on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square.

— U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who met with the pope on Easter Sunday before traveling to India, wrote on social media that his “heart goes out” to the millions of Christians who loved him, and said: “I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”

— King Charles III praised the pope for his work on safeguarding the planet, and alluded to their multiple personal meetings — including a private visit on April 10 at the Vatican. “We were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month,” the King wrote in a statement signed “Charles R.” It was the pope’s first known meeting with a foreign dignitary after he was hospitalized for five weeks with double-pneumonia.

— Church bells tolled in honor of Francis, from the recently reopened Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to a lone bell at the St. Bartholomew Parish in Bulacan, in the Philippines, that was rung 88 times to signify “the 88 fruitful years of our dear Pope Francis,” the parish wrote on social media.

— Martin Pendergast, secretary of the LGBT Catholics Westminster in London, recalled how Francis looked past sexual orientation and said he wouldn’t judge people who tried to carry out the will of God. “He was the first pope to actually use the word ‘gay,’ so even the way he speaks has been a radical transformation — and some would say a bit of a revolution as well — compared with some of his predecessors,” Pendergast said.

— The Women’s Ordination Conference lamented Francis’ unwillingness to push for the ordination of women. “His repeated ‘closed door’ policy on women’s ordination was painfully incongruous with his otherwise pastoral nature, and for many, a betrayal of the synodal, listening church he championed,” the conference said. “This made him a complicated, frustrating and sometimes heart-breaking figure for many women.”

— President Emmanuel Macron of France, a largely Roman Catholic country, focused on the pope’s impact on the church, writing on social media that “from Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest. For it to unite humans among themselves, and with nature. May this hope forever outlast him.”

— Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, one of the few official visitors to see Francis during his recent hospitalization, alluded to the pope’s personal comfort and advice, saying it “never failed me, not even in times of trial and suffering.” She added: “We are saying goodbye to a great man and a great shepherd.”

— Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te expressed condolences on social media and said people there would “continue to draw inspiration from his lifelong commitment to peace, global solidarity, and caring for those in need.” The Holy See is among Taiwan’s only 12 remaining diplomatic allies while China, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory, has been poaching others.

— South African President Cyril Ramaphosa noted the pope’s “extraordinary life story” and said “Pope Francis advanced a world view of inclusion, equality and care for marginalized individuals and groups, as well as responsible and sustainable custody of the natural environment.” Africa has seen some of the Catholic Church’s biggest growth in recent years.

— European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recalled the pontiff as an inspiration for the entire world, not just Christians. “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” she said on social media. “My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss.”

— Israeli President Issac Herzog, whose role is mostly ceremonial, called Francis a man of “deep faith and boundless compassion.” Francis repeatedly criticized Israel’s wartime conduct in Gaza and said allegations of genocide, which Israel has adamantly denied, should be investigated. “I truly hope that his prayers for peace in the Middle East and for the safe return of the hostages will soon be answered,” Herzog said on social media.

— The Palestine Red Crescent offered condolences to Christians, calling the pope “one of the most prominent supporters of justice and human dignity, including his noble stances regarding the suffering of the Palestinian people and their right to freedom and justice.”

— President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt, an overwhelmingly Muslim country, said Francis leaves behind “a great human legacy that will remain etched in the conscience of humanity.”

— President Alexander Van der Bellen of Austria recalled how the pope traveled to the Italian island of Lampedusa, a key landing point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, to meet with refugees and commemorate those who died while trying to cross the Mediterranean. The Austrian leader said on social media that the pope’s impact resonated in ways large and small: “He ensured that homeless people near St. Peter’s Square could shower. He criticized dehumanizing words and gestures. That was Pope Francis.”

— President Vladimir Putin of Russia hailed the pope as a “consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice” and alluded to the pontiff’s efforts to foster interfaith dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches. Last year, the pope suggested Ukraine should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia and not be ashamed to sit at the same table to carry out talks. Critics said that suggested he was siding with Russia. Francis tried to maintain the Vatican’s traditional diplomatic neutrality during the war, but that often was accompanied by apparent sympathy with Russia’s rationale for invading Ukraine — like when he said NATO was “barking at Russia’s door” with its eastward expansion.

AP journalists from around the world contributed to this report.

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When it comes to looking at the region’s future, there is no shortage of ideas.

Last week, the “What Could BG Be” initiative culminated with the public release of results.

More than 7,000 residents responded with statements about what they would like to see in the community over the next 25 years. Those statements produced more than 1 million agree or disagree votes.

The exercise aims to help community leaders chart the course for the future, with Warren County expected to have as many as 200,000 residents by 2050.

As leaders digest the results, Warren County Judge-Executive Doug Gorman said what has stood out is agreement on many priorities.

“It was gratifying to see a lot of consensus on some of the larger scale ideas. For instance the redevelopment and re-use of the riverfront had over 80% positive feedback,” he said. “This part of the project with over one million votes has been great to see unfold.“

The What Could BG Be website outlined top priorities from the community per several categories:

“Arts and Culture
The conversation in Bowling Green showed strong support for expanding arts and culture offerings, including new venues, festivals, and support for local artists. Statements also called for new museums and cultural centers focused on local history and other topics.

Infrastructure & Transportation
Statements emphasized improving roads and traffic flow, expanding pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and exploring options for enhanced public transportation, including potential rail service. The future of the Bowling Green airport and parking solutions were also discussed.

Economic Development
Statements prioritized diversifying the economy, supporting small businesses, revitalizing downtown, and expanding retail and tourism offerings. Workforce development, higher wages, and attracting and retaining talent were also key themes.

Community Identity
The conversation focused on balancing growth with preserving Bowling Green’s character, celebrating its history and cultural heritage, and fostering a more inclusive and collaborative community. Statements reflected on the city’s values, including Southern hospitality and diverse cultures.

Environment & Sustainability
Statements advocated for expanding green spaces, preserving natural areas, improving waste management, transitioning to renewable energy, and improving water quality.

Housing
Statements called for more diverse and affordable housing options, strategies to address affordability challenges, responsible development regulations, and solutions to homelessness. Housing for specific populations, such as students and seniors, was also discussed.

Education
The conversation focused on improving education at all levels, from K-12 curriculum enhancements and school choice to higher education’s role in economic development and expanding adult education opportunities. Statements also addressed vocational training and special education needs.

Public Safety & Services
The conversation covered improving recreational facilities, public transit safety, and regulations for various industries. Statements also addressed crime and policing, social services for the homeless, and enhancing fire and emergency medical services.

Food & Agriculture
Statements expressed a desire for a more diverse local food system, including expanded farmers’ markets, support for local farmers, more diverse restaurant options, and educational initiatives to promote food literacy.

Equity & Inclusion
The conversation centered on creating a welcoming and inclusive community, supporting immigrant and refugee integration, celebrating cultural diversity, promoting economic empowerment, improving accessibility, and addressing racial equity.

Healthcare
The conversation focused on expanding access to specialized healthcare services, improving facilities, emphasizing preventative care and wellness, and addressing substance abuse and addiction. Improving healthcare quality and affordability were also key themes.”

While there were many tongue-in-cheek offerings, there were many other that received broad approval.

Among the questions that revived all positive responses were:

•We’ll have stormwater infrastructure around the Barren River (52 agree, 0 disagree);

•WKU and SKyCTC need to collaborate together and with local industries to train graduates for in-demand careers (52 agree, 0 disagree);

•Improve and beautify Old Louisville Road (58 agree, 0 disagree);

•I hope the expansion of the Shake Rag district continues and our community supports those locally owned businesses (28 agree, 0 disagree);

•Affordable housing for young people so they have a chance to build a future for themselves like generations past (29 agree, 0 disagree).

To explore the results, see www.whatcouldbgbe.com.

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FRANKLIN — The small photograph encased in a wooden box fits easily into the palm of a hand. Despite its diminutive size, however, it may be a large piece of history.

Growing up in Simpson County, Patrick Meguiar regularly heard the family stories about how they were related to the notorious outlaw Jesse James.

His grandfather also told him stories about James regularly visiting the family home in the Lake Spring community in Simpson County.

One day, Meguiar asked him, “Did (James) ever leave anything?”

Patrick Meguiar speaks to the Daily News at the Simpson County History Center in Franklin about a photograph he owns that is purported to show the outlaw Jesse James. (JACK DOBBS / Daily News)

It turned out he had, according to Meguiar’s grandfather — a small portrait of himself — which was at an aunt’s house.

“You better believe I made haste in going” to her house, Meguiar said.

The aunt kept the picture in a box with other family keepsakes.

Meguiar dug through the box and found the small wooden box that opened to reveal a photo of a young man. He said he remembered thinking the image did not seem to match pictures he had seen that were purported to be of James.

But, as he soon discovered, the reason was that there are countless purported James images floating around with many, if not most, not being of the famed outlaw.

But Meguiar is confident his picture is the real deal because of the family connection and a forensic analysis.

James in southcentral Kentucky

That Jesse James was in this area is unquestioned — after all his gang’s 1868 robbery of the Southern Bank of Kentucky in Russellville is still reenacted every year during the Logan County Tobacco Festival. While some speculate James was not at the actual robbery, and he later denied being responsible, the consensus is that James was there.

James also was known to have robbed a stagecoach near Mammoth Cave in 1880.

There is also a legend that James and his gang hid out in Lost River Cave in Bowling Green after the Russellville robbery. Another legend is that James hid out in a private Bowling Green residence at some point. While those claims are unverified, it is known that James and his brother (using assumed names) at one point lived just across the border in various locations in and around the Nashville area.

The location was a natural landing spot for the James boys; their father, Robert Salle James, was born in the Lickskillet community in Logan County. Wood Hite, a first cousin to Jesse James and later a member of his criminal gang, was also born in Logan County.

It was during the period that the James brothers were living in Tennessee that Jesse reportedly would visit his kin in Kentucky, including known relatives in Adairvillle and, according to Meguiar, the Martin home in the Lake Spring community.

The property had a special appeal to James, Meguiar said, because the Martins raised thoroughbreds.

Behind the old family home is a large field that once featured a horse race track, he said. Neighbors still often find horse shoes in the area.

Fast horses were of course a valuable commodity for someone who often had to outrun gun-packing posses.

“He wanted the fastest horses available,” Meguiar said.

Patrick Meguiar points to an image of his great-great-grandparents Will Martin and Sarah Mariah Martin Meguiar. Sarah Martin was the recipient of a photograph purported to show the fame outlaw Jesse James. James reportedly gave the photo to her himself. (JACK DOBBS / Daily News)

Meguiar’s third great-grandfather, Robert Martin, was a first cousin of Jesse James’ grandfather. Robert Martin died in 1858. However his son Will Martin continued breeding and training thoroughbreds on the family property. Jesse James, according to family lore, gave the photo of himself to Will Martin’s wife, Sarah Mariah Martin Meguiar, in January of 1868.

Aside from family lore, there is verification of the claim of James’ presence in Simpson County from an 1897 (Nashville) Tennessean newspaper article.

The article recounts Frank and Jesse James’ time in Tennessee, and states “the story goes that the robbery of the Russellville, Ky. bank was effected while he had his racing headquarters at Franklin, Ky.”

Patrick Meguiar speaks to the Daily News about the horse racing history that took place on a plot of land in the Lake Spring area of Simpson County. The area was said to have been used by the famed outlaw Jesse James as racing and training grounds for thoroughbreds. (JACK DOBBS / Daily News)

Meguiar said a 1928 genealogy book known as the Douglas Register and a DNA test linking him to known James family members further proves the family link.

Analysis

Forensic artist and forensic facial imaging expert Michael Streed, based in California, analyzed the photo (technically an ambrotype) and compared it to two known images of a young James.

After comparing and measuring features, analyzing facial symmetry and doing an image overlay, Streed determined “that the person shown in (Meguiar’s) photo … is likely Jesse Woodson James, a.k.a. the outlaw Jesse James,” according a report shared by Meguiar.

In a follow up email with the Daily News, Streed clarified that “Whether it’s Jesse James or not, no one can say for certain. My examination of Meguiar’s photo found facial features that were similar to others known to be James. While my opinion was that Meguiar’s photo was ‘likely’ Jesse James, it fell short of highly likely the same person or strong support for it being the same person which is the highest rating that I provide.”

He added that “facial comparison and analysis are subjective. I routinely receive historical photos to examine and have read reports by other experts and most follow the same morphological analysis that I use, though we document the results differently. Other evidential factors also play into the process of determining authenticity.

LEFT: A closeup of the purported Jesse James photo owned by Patrick Meguiar. (SUBMITTED) RIGHT: A known photo of a young Jesse James circa 1864. (LIBRARY OF CONGRESS)

“While I don’t believe it’s possible to say with 100% certainty that a person in a questioned photo is the same person as a collector believes, there are some that will render such an opinion. In the end, it’s up to the appraiser or auction house to be satisfied with and accept the examiner’s opinion.”

An ambrotype is a glass negative placed against a dark background, and were most common from the mid-1850s to mid-1860s. Meguiar’s ambrotype shows a teen or young man, which considering James was born in 1847, fits that timeline.

The male in the picture also has an undeniable likeness to James based on the known photographs — especially a well-known picture of a young James holding a pistol.

The value of an authenticated James photo is anyone’s guess. In 2011, a signed photo of James sold for $51,000. But in 2018, a purported new photo of James was valued by experts at up to $2 million — before further analysis determined the picture was not of James. In 2011, a photo of outlaw Billy the Kid sold for $2.3 million.

Muddling the question is the fact that there are many disputed James photos being circulated, Meguiar said.

As a result, “I know an actual true image is far rarer than most people think it would be,” he said.

Gary Chilcote is the director of the Pattee House Museum in Missouri, where the house where James was shot and killed 1883, is now located.

He said the museum sees people who claim to be related to James, or have a photo of him, “about every day. We haven’t had one (photo) that’s authentic.”

An ambrotype photograph owned by Patrick Meguiar and believed to show the image of the famed outlaw Jesse James sits on a table inside the Simpson County History Center in Franklin. (JACK DOBBS / Daily News)

While the legend of Jesse James seems to be as vibrant as ever, there was a long time when “people who were genuinely related (to him) didn’t want to admit it,” he said.

Meguiar, who now lives in Portland, Tennessee, said the same was true of some of his family — including the aunt who had the photo previously.

But Meguiar, 67, said despite the link to a family history he freely admits, his goal now is to sell the photo.

“I’d like to retire,” he said.

The post Is this a photo of Jesse James? appeared first on Bowling Green Daily News.

The very mention of this date evokes a wide range of emotions, irrespective of your political persuasion. And even though it’s been over four years since that unprecedented stain on our collective history, its significance remains a topic of intense debate in many circles.

Ever wondered how history will eventually come to regard what happened on that fateful day? Well look no further because I’m going to clear that up in the next few paragraphs. You can thank me later.

Here are ten predictions that either you, or your kids/grandkids, can expect to see in the history books of the future:

First, January 6th will be remembered as a violent insurrection instigated by a recently defeated president. It was an unambiguous attempt to overturn a legitimate election by those who wanted to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power and keep their preferred leader in place — by force if necessary.

Second, the people who were involved in the assault on the U.S. Capitol were criminals. And they will always be criminals regardless of whether their convictions were overturned, or they were pardoned for their actions. A piece of paper can never absolve them of the responsibility they share for assaulting peace officers.

Just to reiterate: The insurrectionists were not, and will never be, considered “patriots” in any legitimate sense of that word.

Third, it was not “mostly peaceful” as some tried to portray it in the intervening years. The problem for these folks is that it was televised live from multiple angles. Everyone saw what went down in real time. Using the same logic, it could be argued Lincoln’s time at Ford’s Theater was “mostly uneventful.”

Fourth, it will eventually be acknowledged that there were no outside agitators stoking the flames that day. No FBI agents participated, and no one from Antifa, Black Lives Matter, or Dancing with the Stars had any role whatsoever in initiating or sustaining the uprising.

Fifth, the only real heroes were the security guards, police officers, detectives, FBI agents, prosecutors, judges, juries, and anyone else who tried to hold the insurrectionists responsible for their illegal activities that day. They did their best to bring those responsible to justice and for that they deserve a monument on the Washington Mall.

Sixth, the woman killed that day was not a martyr. While it’s always a tragedy when someone loses their life, the reality is that she disregarded a direct command from police officers and was subsequently shot during the commission of a crime. End of story.

The only martyrs that day were those trying to defend the Constitution who eventually succumbed to the injuries – psychological as well as physical – they sustained at the hands of a rampaging mob.

Seventh, the decision to pardon all those involved in the insurrection, as well as the persecution of all those trying to hold them accountable, was one of the most egregious miscarriages of justice ever witnessed in the United States.

Eighth, the dismissal of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, or judges due to their association with the insurrection and its aftermath will prove to be one of the worst national security decisions ever made. Without their expertise and experience at identifying and thwarting terrorist plots, the safety of ordinary citizens was seriously compromised.

Ninth, the attempted takeover of the Capitol will be seen as a turning point in the great democratic experiment the United States successfully navigated for almost two and a half centuries. If we do eventually discard the Constitution and succumb to fascism, January 6th will no doubt be cited as the beginning of our downward spiral.

Finally, the attempted insurgency will serve as a cautionary tale to future generations for what can go terribly wrong when people adopt a tribal mentality and follow a charlatan who makes unrealistic promises intended to appeal to the naïve and the gullible. Those who don’t learn from the past…

So now you know how history will ultimately judge January 6, 2021. Don’t believe me? No problem. Look me up in about 20 years and we’ll discuss it.

— Aaron W. Hughey is a university distinguished professor in the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs at Western Kentucky University.

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Like many readers, I used to roll my eyes when I heard this phrase. After all, there is only one real truth, and it is obviously absolute.

You probably thought that, too. Teachers, parents and other seemingly intelligent individuals from kindergarten all the way through college drilled this way of thinking into us.

But I’m here to tell you we’ve been lied to our entire lives.

How did I come to this profound and life-changing conclusion? Self-reflection Hallucinogenics? Being struck down on the road to Damascus?

Nope.

Two words: YouTube.

Sure, I used to be as naïve and blind to reality as most politicians. Then one day I discovered this phenomenal platform, and it changed everything.

Not only are there alternative facts, but everyone gets to choose whatever facts best suit their purpose at any given time.

Don’t believe me? Don’t think I’m telling the truth? Well, just consider the following tidbits I’ve learned from spending hours watching video after video, all from world-renowned experts:

Everything causes cancer. Apparently, this is true. Even drugs ostensibly developed to prevent or cure cancer eventually prove to cause it.

That settles it, right?

Au contraire, my friend.

Actually, nothing causes cancer. You get cancer from sinning against God. It’s his way of punishing you for not obeying his commands.

Not convinced? Well try this on for size:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the answer to all our problems. We just need to put our fate in the hands of AI and let it take care of us.

Then again, AI will be our ultimate undoing. As soon as it gets smart enough to figure out how stupid we are, we’re doomed.

There is no definitive answer to anything. You get to choose your own truth. YouTube says so.

Even the so-called “American way of life,” something generations of Americans have held sacred, is subject to the duplicitous nature of this insidious streaming service.

On the one hand, democracy is the only legitimate form of government and must be preserved at all costs. And as the grand experiment quickly approaches the two-and-a-half century mark, preserving it has taken on an unprecedented urgency.

Then again, when you consider the declining IQ of the average voter over the last few decades, who in their right mind would entrust our collective future to these self-absorbed simpletons? We might end up electing a complete moron. Bring on the philosopher kings.

As video after endless YouTube video demonstrates conclusively, nothing is conclusive.

Whatever you believe, you can find a community of like-minded people all too willing to reinforce, validate, and expand your particular ontological niche.

The echo chamber is no longer a metaphor, it is a perfectly acceptable way of experiencing and understanding the world for an increasing number of folks.

Turns out, it’s not just beauty that’s in the eye of the beholder. Everything can now be comfortably positioned under that overarching moniker.

Don’t think climate change is real? Then it’s not. Believe we are the descendants of ancient aliens? Then we are. Think the future of the economy is bitcoin? Then invest your lifesavings.

Decided God doesn’t exist? Then get off your knees.

Back in the olden days, I would have considered this way of thinking to be ludicrous and a sure recipe for disaster, both for individuals as well as societies. And all those professors I encountered along the way who kept touting the importance of “critical thinking.”

I used to take them seriously.

What a bunch of losers.

Looking back, the idea there is only one set of valid facts that, at the end of the day, corresponds to objective reality, seems childish and naïve. I am now free from the constraints that defined the old way of thinking. Which means I am truly free.

So you can go ahead and stick with your silly notions such as cholesterol leads to heart disease, gravity makes planes crash when their wings fall off, and all those other things you think you know.

YouTube taught me you can have your own reality and eat it, too. All hail the digital era!

— Aaron W. Hughey is a university distinguished professor in the Department of Counseling and

Student Affairs at Western Kentucky University.

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Sloan was the first woman elected in the city of Bowling Green when she joined the city commission in 1977.

A decade later, she again made history by winning the mayoral election.

Sloan later downplayed her milestone –  “I certainly didn’t run for office to be the first woman anything. I just happened to be a woman who wanted to run for office,” she told the Daily News years later.

But there is no doubt that Sloan, who also spent three decades as a teacher at Bowling Green High School, paved the way for many others to seek office.

“She was a groundbreaker,” said Elaine Walker, who served as the city’s third female mayor. “She was a mentor to me. … She always put the city and public first.”

And while Sloan stepped down from political office after her term as mayor, she continued to be involved in various organizations and civic efforts.

Carothers served as a coach, volunteer, mentor, teacher and so much more in his decades of public service across Bowling Green.

His involvement spanned The Foundry Christian Community Center, West Side Camp, Megan’s Mobile Grocery Store to Boys To Men at Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary School and coaching youth sports.

“I think to different people you ask, he will mean something different,” said Gary Fields, superintendent of the Bowling Green Independent School District. “That’s a sign of somebody who really, really made an impact.”

Added the Rev. Ron Whitlock, Sr.: “Some people, as Christians, think the job is just to go to heaven, but Danny knew that we should try to make heaven here on earth, and that’s what he did. He changed a lot of children’s lives.”

Between them, Sloan and Carothers impacted countless lives in our community and deserve to stand as examples of true public servants and be remembered and heralded for their contributions.

They will be truly missed.

The post Community has lost two true public servants appeared first on Bowling Green Daily News.

Patsy Sloan, Bowling Green’s first female mayor, passed away Tuesday at age 85, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazing public servant.

“She was a groundbreaker,” said Elaine Walker, who served as the city’s third female mayor.

A Texas native, Sloan moved to Bowling Green in the 1960s and began a three-decade career as a teacher at Bowling Green High School.

She entered politics in 1977 with a successful run for city commission, becoming the first woman to win a city election.

She then ran for mayor a decade later. She said at the time that she proved doubters about her electability wrong when she first ran for the city commission, and she planned to do so again.

Her opposition was a retired business owner, Jim Cummings.

In November, Sloan won by a 4,573 to 3,629 margin.

“I’ve worked for a long time to be able to be in this position and it feels terrific,” she told the Daily News at the time.

In 1991, she announced she would not seek reelection and would be leaving city government after 14 years – ” … quite frankly, I believe I’ve paid my dues,” she told the Daily News.

Looking back on her historic tenure, Sloan told the Daily News in 2012, “I certainly didn’t run for office to be the first woman anything,” she said. “I just happened to be a woman who wanted to run for office.”

But Walker said Sloan was a groundbreaker, even if her modesty and focus on public service kept her from touting the fact.

“For those of us who aspired (to hold office) it was a big deal,” Walker said. “She was a mentor to me. … She always put the city and public first.”

After her tenure as an elected official, she remained active in various civic and governmental organizations, including the Warren County Downtown Economic Development Authority.

The city’s convention center in 2002 was named in her honor for her contributions to city government.

In a social media post, Gov. Andy Beshear said Sloan “made an impact on her community and women’s history through years of service.”

The city of Bowling Green issued a release about Sloan’s passing:

“Mayor Sloan was well-respected and remained dedicated to public service well beyond the time she served as an elected official for the City of Bowling Green,” current Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott said. “She touched many, many lives as a schoolteacher, as a leader, and as a compassionate, leading citizen within our community.”

City Manager Jeff Meisel knew Mrs. Sloan for decades and is a former student.

“I’ve known Patsy since I was about nine years old. My grandparents lived next door to her,”  Meisel said in the release. “She let me play in her backyard. Then I had her in class when I was a junior. That was one of the most interesting classes I had in high school.”

Alcott has ordered all city flags to remain lowered to half-staff until after Sloan’s funeral. The flags were already lowered in honor of President Carter.

Arrangements are under the direction of J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Chapels.

The post Patsy Sloan, first elected woman in BG, remembered as groundbreaker appeared first on Bowling Green Daily News.

A KSP trooper was hit on I-65 in Warren County Sunday, according to a KSP X post.

He is receiving medical treatment with non life threatening injuries.

KSP is asking area residents to stay home and avoid travel amid the dangerous road conditions that have hit the state.

The post KSP trooper hit on I65 appeared first on Bowling Green Daily News.

As in many recent years, growth and the surrounding issues – infrastructure, employee shortages, affordable housing, etc. – dominated headlines across Southcentral Kentucky.

But there were several unique events that made news across the region as well. Following are several of the top stories of 2024:

Alcott wins second term

Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott was reelected after surviving a challenge from former state Rep. Patti Minter.

Minter, a Western Kentucky University professor, ran against Alcott, who was seeking a second term.

After a high-profile race, Alcott topped Minter in November by a margin of 11,245 votes to 10,100.

Alcott, a retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel and former JROTC teacher at Warren East High School, was first elected in 2020, replacing then-Mayor Bruce Wilkerson who suspended his own reelection bid citing health concerns.

Alcott said Minter, “gave (me) one heck of a race.”

Buc-ee’s comes to town

The small Warren County town of Smiths Grove may never be the same after mega-gas station chain Buc-ee’s opened a location in town in June.

The massive 53,000 square foot, 120-pump store opened with a unique celebration at its location off I-65 replete with local elected officials, Buc-cee’s dignitaries and plenty of Buc-cee’s signature food and merchandise for sale.

“This is American capitalism at its finest,” said one spectator at the grand opening.

In the months leading up to the opening, many residents expressed concerns about the impact of the mega-store on local quality of life.

Housing gets a boost

As the region experiences unprecedented growth, a lack of affordable housing has been a primary issue for years. The situation was made worse in Bowling Green after 2021 tornadoes destroyed many already scarce housing units.

Government and non-profit entities have been working to increase the stock of housing, with that effort getting a major boost this summer.

Gov. Andy Beshear announced over $130 million in funding to building 635 affordable housing units in Bowling Green and Warren County.

The projects will be multi-family apartment complexes targeted at low- to middle-income individuals and families. Most of the units will be two to three bedrooms and rent prices will be controlled, ensuring affordability into the future.

According to the Kentucky Housing Corporation, the largest development in Warren County will be the 256-unit Echo Trail Apartments at a location to be determined. Other local projects that received funding were: Garrison Gardens; 1221 Crewdson Drive – 120 units; Emery Flats, 1200 Morgantown Road – 180 units; Campbell View Apartments; 110 Campbell Lane – 71 units; Lifeworks Annex; 1176 Adams St. – 8 units.

Riverfront rebirth continues

The Barren River was largely responsible for the growth of Bowling Green as a regional hub. But the riverfront in the city proper has been largely devoid of development, and was even used as a landfill.

A multi-year plan to better utilize the riverfront took more concrete form in 2024 as the city unveiled more concrete plans to transform the riverfront. In the planning/construction phase are traditional park space, new fishing piers, an amphitheater, dog park and a unique whitewater kayaking park on the river.

Private developers have also announced plans for various projects aimed to transform the area.

Controversial visitor

In March, a speech at Western Kentucky University drew large protests, as well as some supporters, as Kyle Rittenhouse appeared at the university.

Rittenhouse shot and killed two Black Lives Matter protestors at a rally in Wisconsin in 2020. He was acquitted in a criminal trial based on self-defense in 2021.

Rittenhouse spoke at several universities in 2024 under the sponsorship of Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit. Despite calls for his appearance to be cancelled, WKU President Timothy Caboni said the university was legally obligated to let him speak.

Although his appearance drew some supporters, hundreds of peaceful protesters made the bulk of the crowd during his speech.

The “For the People Advocacy Group,” a student collective formed in response to Rittenhouse’s event, began the day with a sit-in at Wetherby Administrative Building where WKU’s main administrative offices are.

Amendment 2

While proposed Amendment 2 to the state constitution was decided by a statewide vote in November, the local lobbying for and against it turned into an almost daily event.

The Amendment, broadly, would have allowed legislators to direct funds to private schools. Local school district superintendents, school boards, Gov. Andy Beshear and others held regular press conferences or regularly spoke to convey their opposition to a move that they argued would take needed funds away from public schools.

A notable local proponent of the Amendment, Sen. Rand Paul, also spoke regularly in favor of the measure, along with others.

Ultimately, the effort failed, with 65% of state residents voting against Amendment 2.

The post 2024: The year in review appeared first on Bowling Green Daily News.

When it comes to elections and political posturing, degrading has often surpassed debating and truth is often treated like an afterthought.

The recent presidential election was one that divided the nation, as well as communities and households.

The aforementioned poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed large numbers of Americans are tuning out – literally and figuratively – from politics.

The poll, conducted in early December, found that about seven in 10 Democrats say they are stepping back from political news, according to the AP. About six in 10 Republicans say they’ve felt the need to take some time off too, according to the poll.

The fatigue of political discussion is also evident in the diminishing ratings for many political-related TV programs.

Tuning out the noise is a logical step to take. But ignoring the decisions that will shape our lives, of course, is not a positive step, even if it is understandable.

Instead, the best course of action would seem to be to pay attention – not to the insults and distractions – but the substance and the facts.

Elections and constituent feedback can still make a difference in the trajectory of our community and nation, and an informed electorate in this era of misinformation is more important than ever.

As for the political divide, we (and yes, this includes the politicians from both parties who represent us) should remember that we are in this together.

Decisions made impact everyone, and should be made in the spirit of serving the greater good.

As for the public, it may be hard to sort through all the distractions and vitriol, but things will only improve if we stay informed and engaged.

The post Our View: We are all in this together appeared first on Bowling Green Daily News.