The Kentucky Standard

07/11/2025

Hundreds of community members came together for the family of Crystal Rogers on Tuesday as they arrived back in Nelson County following the guilty verdicts of Joseph Lawson and Brooks Houck Tuesday in Warren Circuit Court.

The corners of Court Square and Third Street were a sea of pink and green late Tuesday afternoon, with many holding homemade signs and foil pink heart balloons. Passing vehicles honked their horns in support of Rogers’ family as those on the sidewalks were leading others in chants.

Hundreds of community members came together for the family of Crystal Rogers on Tuesday as they arrived back in Nelson County following the guilty verdicts of Joseph Lawson and Brooks

07/10/2025

Hours of behind-the-scenes work culminated in a special ceremony for six area veterans, as they were honored with patriotic-themed, handmade quilts.

07/10/2025

The third annual Home Coming brought dozens out to My Old Kentucky Home State Park on Friday as many gathered to celebrate our nation’s independence with their community.

07/10/2025

Bardstown Main Street will bring music to Mayor’s Park with new Friday night concert series and late night shopping called Friday Night Sound Bites.

The first of many end-of-week live music performances are set to kick off this Friday at 6 p.m. at Mayor’s Park as part of the latest community-oriented event from Bardstown Main Street.

Bardstown Main Street will bring music to Mayor’s Park with new Friday night concert series and late night shopping called Friday Night Sound Bites.

07/10/2025

After a year hiatus, the gardens of Bardstown and beyond are ready to be explored as part of the Blooming Bardstown Garden Tour this Saturday.

Vegetables, plants, flowering trees and more can be spotted this Saturday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as a part of the returning Blooming Bardstown Garden Tour.

After a year hiatus, the gardens of Bardstown and beyond are ready to be explored as part of the Blooming Bardstown Garden Tour this Saturday.

07/09/2025

Photos from yesterday's gathering in Downtown Bardstown welcoming Crystal Rogers' family and loved ones back to Nelson County. Community members gathered in a sea of pink and green with many bringing signs, balloons and more in support of the family after yesterday's guilty verdicts.
More photos and coverage to come in Sunday's edition of The Kentucky Standard.

Photos by Katelyn Norris

07/08/2025

Hundreds gathered at Court Square this afternoon in support of Crystal Rogers' family. Those in attendance wore pink and green in honor of Rogers and her father Tommy Ballard.

Photos and coverage to follow in Sunday's edition of The Kentucky Standard. To read more about the two-week trial and today's verdict, visit The Kentucky Standard online.

Video: Katelyn Norris

07/08/2025

BOWLING GREEN — After 10 years, the wait for justice for the Ballard family is finally over.

After deliberating for about four hours, a Warren County jury returned a unanimous verdict early Tuesday afternoon, convicting Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson on murder charges in the 2015 disappearance and presumed death of Crystal Rogers.

BOWLING GREEN — After 10 years, the wait for justice for the Ballard family is finally over.

07/08/2025

BREAKING NEWS

A VERDICT HAS BEEN REACHED

Brooks Houck has been found guilty of murder- accomplice or principal and guilty of tampering with physical evidence.

Joseph Lawson has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and guilty of tampering with physical evidence.

07/08/2025

Democratic Woman's Club
The Nelson County Democratic Woman's Club will hold a seminar on Monday, July 14, at the Nelson County Library at 6 p.m. outlining The Big Beautiful Bill and how it will impact you and the citizens of Nelson County and the Commonwealth. All interested citizens are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Martha Nest, President of NCDWC, at
[email protected] or text to 502-507-6965.

Parkinson's Support Group
The next meeting of the Parkinson's Support Group will be Wednesday, July 16, with a social outing at 1 p.m. at Big Bull Steakhouse,105 W. Main St., in Springfield (formerly Mordecai's). Call Jane Swarts for more information at 502-350-4458.

Nelson County Retired Teachers
The Nelson County Retired Teachers Association luncheon will be Thursday, July 24, at Southeast Christian Church, Nelson County Campus, 2725 E John Rowan Blvd., in Bardstown. New Bardstown and Nelson County retirees will be invited to congratulate them on their retirement. Officer installation and introducing the 2025 NCRTA scholarship winner will also occur. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and will begin at noon. Lunch will be provided. Yearly dues for membership are due by Nov. 1. Checks for dues ($10.00) need to be made out to NCRTA. Please check your mail for the summer newsletter for luncheon specifics. Please RSVP [email protected] to by July 15 to know how many members will be in attendance.

JULY

Library Board of Trustees

Nelson County Public Library Board of Trustees will meet at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, July 10, at 201 Cathedral Manor conference room.
Louisville Orchestra at the library

Let the pages of “Llama Destroys the World” come alive with a Louisville Orchestra ensemble on Saturday, July 12, at the Nelson County Public Library for the captivating "Once Upon an Orchestra" series, where live interactive storytelling meets the magic of music — an experience the whole family will enjoy. Performance begins at 11 a.m. No need to RSVP for this free community event proudly presented as part of the LO’s Statewide ‘In Harmony Tour.’ And be sure to join us on the evening of Sunday, July 13, for a free full orchestra concert at the Stephen Foster Amphitheater. Details and tickets available at louisvilleorchestra.org/inharmonytour.

Mosquito Fogging Program

The City of Bardstown's Mosquito Fogging Program has begun and will continue with the fogging every three (3) weeks until the first frost of winter.

The City will begin fogging, as weather permits, from dusk until dawn on the following Wednesdays:

July 9

July 30

August 20

Sept. 10

Oct. 1

Oct. 22 (if necessary)

During fogging operations, please keep children away from the fogging vehicle, go inside and remain indoors while the fogging vehicle is in your neighborhood. We will not fog in the areas where residents have indicated health issues or concerns. If you would like to be added to the “No Fog List” please call City Hall at (502) 348-5947.

Democratic Party meeting change

Due to this month's meeting falling on the eve of a major holiday, the meeting this Thursday has been changed and the next meeting will be at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, July 10, in the Nelson County Public Library in Bardstown. This will be an informal meeting and training session on the basics of our local Democratic Party and the KDP in general. Please put this date on your calendar and try to attend. All Democrats in Nelson County are invited and encouraged to attend.

Bread for Life Community food pantry

The Bread for Life Community Food Pantry is now open at 1065 Bloomfield Road in Bardstown (across from Nelson County High School) will host a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. July 16 or drop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for family-friendly activities. The hours are Monday-Thursday 12:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Loretto Motherhouse

Robert Docs and Grace Baugh Bennett will perform a double bass/piano concert at Loretto Motherhouse on Saturday, July 26, at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. No admission charge.

Holy Rosary Parish

Holy Rosary Parish in Manton will be having their annual Manton Music Jam on Sunday, July 27, from noon until dusk. No cover charge, bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of entertainment. Food vendors will be providing food and refreshments. License .
Stephen Foster Story introduces Youth Performing Arts Academy

Blooming Garden Tour

The Bardstown Blooming Garden Tour, featuring nine local gardens, will be held July 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine. Tickets will be available at the Nelson County Civic Center after June 23. Cost is $20.

In Harmony tour

The Louisville Orchestra and Music Director Teddy Abrams return to Bardstown, on July 13 for the next leg of their “In Harmony” tour, which offers free concerts and community events across the state. After completing the most recent leg of touring this spring — which featured stops in Shelbyville, Prestonsburg, Ashland, and Mt. Sterling — the Orchestra has now opened registration for the free concerts scheduled this July, with stops planned in Glasgow, Elizabethtown, Muhlenberg, and Bardstown. While daytime community events in Bardstown will be announced soon, audiences can now reserve their free spots for the main event: the free evening performance at the Stephen Foster Story.

Event details:

In Harmony Tour: Bardstown

Sunday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Stephen Foster Story
411 E. Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown

07/08/2025

OBITUARY
Sister Sheila Anne Smith, 81, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, died Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 63rd year of religious life. The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, at Mount Saint Joseph, where visitation will begin Monday at 4:30 p.m., with a wake service following at 6:30 p.m.

07/08/2025

BOWLING GREEN — Ten years ago to the week, Crystal Rogers went missing in Nelson County, and her body has yet to be found. Four days after that grim anniversary, the trial over Rogers’ disappearance and presumed murder is rounding to a close in Warren Circuit Court following closing arguments Monday by the prosecution, and attorneys representing co-defendants Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson.

BOWLING GREEN — Ten years ago to the week, Crystal Rogers went missing in Nelson County, and her body has yet to be found. Four days after that grim anniversary,