The Times Journal

06/06/2026

Vonnie Popplewell, of the Mt. Eden Community, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 4, 2026. She was 91 years of age.

Born on June 12, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Oliver and Cinda Gosser and was preceded in death by her husband, Ollis “Okie” Popplewell. She was a retired dairy farmer whose loving demeanor was known and appreciated by those around her.

Vonnie is survived by her daughter, Diana (Popplewell) Roy and a special friend, Paul Coffey, of Stanford, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Angela (Isaiah) Mayes, Amanda (Anthony) Wooldridge, Gina Shelburne, Joshua Popplewell, Brooks (Donnie) Cook, and Andrea Roy. Ten great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren also survive.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Randel “Randy” Popplewell , one grandchild, LaTonya Popplewell Scaggs, two brothers, Garlin Gosser and James “Jimmy” Gosser, four sisters, Edna Roy, Olive “Short” Roy, Veda Davis, and Ileen Gosser, one great grandchild, Alec Reeves, and her son-in-law, Roger D. Roy.

Funeral services are 2:00 PM CST Monday, June 8, 2026, at Bernard Funeral Home, with Bro. Larold Gosser officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery.

Visitation will begin after 12:00 PM CST and continue until time of services.

Isaiah London, Donnie Cook, Ethan Shelburne, Jackson Shelburne, Aiden Shelburne, and Paul Coffey will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Vonnie to the Alzheimer's Foundation. These donations can be left at the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements for Vonnie Popplewell are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.

06/05/2026

Let's not forget about the Kids Fishing Derby amongst the excitement of the Jaycees Fair! It's FREE and for children ages 5 to 15.
Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery

06/04/2026

SHARE THE FAIR!

What a week!
Feel free to share any cool fair photos you have for all to enjoy!
Be it having fun on the midway to chowing down on some awesome fair food, to demo derby action, you can simply post pictures here, and they may appear in next week's Times Journal!

06/03/2026

Maylon Brown, Jr., 66, of Russell Springs, passed away Monday, June 1st, at Russell County Hospital.

Maylon was born in Columbus, OH on January 4, 1960, a son of the late Carol (Wright) and Maylon Brown, Sr.

He was retired from Nation Wide Insurance.

Maylon is survived by a daughter, Jordyn Ashley Brown, of Jamestown, KY and a sister, Lisa Boyd, of Ohio.

He is also survived by his beloved dog Jasmine

Public Visitation will be held 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday, June 5th at H.E. Pruitt Memory Chapel in Jamestown, KY.

Burial in the Jamestown Cemetery, Jamestown, KY.

06/02/2026

Beshear Expands Medical Cannabis Eligibility Through Executive Order

FRANKFORT — Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday signed an executive order directing Kentucky’s Office of Medical Cannabis to issue an emergency regulation clarifying qualifying conditions for medical cannabis, a move that expands eligibility to include 15 additional medical conditions.

State officials said the action is intended to address confusion surrounding Kentucky’s medical cannabis law and ensure patients with serious illnesses have access to treatment options.

Newly recognized qualifying conditions include terminal illness, sickle cell anemia, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, HIV, AIDS, Huntington’s disease, muscular dystrophy, cachexia or wasting syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, neuropathies, severe arthritis, fibromyalgia and glaucoma.

“The law is meant to provide a safe alternative form of pain relief for Kentuckians suffering, yet the law’s lack of clarity prevented too many people from receiving help,” Beshear said. “This emergency regulation will help more Kentuckians reclaim their lives through safe, nonaddictive medical cannabis.”

The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis, the Team Kentucky Medical Cannabis Workgroup and the Board of Physicians and Advisors had previously asked the General Assembly to clarify the law, but no legislative action was taken.

The announcement included support from medical professionals and patient advocates, including representatives of Kentucky’s sickle cell community, who said expanded access could provide alternatives to opioid-based pain management.

Medical cannabis became legal in Kentucky on Jan. 1, 2025, following passage of Senate Bill 47 in 2023. Since then, more than 23,700 Kentuckians have been approved for medical cannabis cards, more than 500 practitioners have registered with the program, and 32 medical cannabis businesses are operating statewide.

Kentuckians seeking information about qualifying conditions, participating providers or the application process can visit Kentucky’s medical cannabis program website.

06/02/2026

Russell Springs Man Charged Following Fatal Parkway Crash

By Staff Report

A Russell Springs man has been charged following a fatal two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon on the Cumberland Parkway in Russell County.

According to the Kentucky State Police, troopers were called by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office shortly after 2:30 p.m. CDT to investigate an injury collision involving two vehicles traveling westbound on the Cumberland Parkway.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Christopher Austin, 28, of Russell Springs, was operating a 2016 Kia Optima when he left the roadway onto the left shoulder. As he attempted to return to the roadway, the vehicle entered the path of a 2020 Jeep Cherokee driven by Maylon Brown, 60, of Russell Springs. The vehicles collided in the westbound lanes.

Brown was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead by the Russell County Coroner.

Austin refused medical treatment at the scene and was arrested by Kentucky State Police. He was charged with DUI (second offense), vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia and reckless driving. He was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

Senior Trooper Brandon Roark is leading the investigation. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, Russell County Fire and EMS, the Russell County Coroner’s Office and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The charges against the defendant are allegations. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of

06/02/2026

FLORAL HALL, Y'ALL!

The Floral Hall at the Veterans Fairgrounds is bustling with activity as entries are being submitted for display and judging in popular 4-H contests.
The Russell County Jaycees fair is well underway, and continues through this Saturday.

06/02/2026

Delila Christine Russell, 41, of Russell Springs, passed away Sunday, May 31st, at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center, Danville, KY.

Delila was born in Somerset, KY on August 17, 1984, a daughter of Rita (Ashbrook) Campbell, of Russell Springs, KY and Roger Russell, of Jamestown, KY.

Delila is survived by: mother Rita Campbell, of Russell Springs, KY; father Roger Russell (Christine), of Jamestown, KY; two daughters, Destiny Melson, of Jamestown, KY
Airanna Cruz, of Russell Springs, KY; a son, Bryson Melson, of Columbia, KY
a sister, Amber Hernandez, of Russell Springs, KY
three brothers, Christopher Russell, of Russell Springs, KY, Douglas Bunch, of Lebanon, KY, Blake Hill, of Jamestown, KY.

She is also survived by three grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held Wednesday June 3, at 3:00 PM CT at the Bethel Cemetery in Jamestown, KY with Bro. Avery Russell officiating.

Burial in the Bethel Cemetery, Jamestown, KY.

The family request memorial donations to help with final expenses and can be made at the funeral home.

06/01/2026

Free Fishing Weekend Offers License-Free Opportunity Across Kentucky

By Staff Report

Kentuckians can cast a line without purchasing a fishing license during the state’s annual Free Fishing Weekend, scheduled for June 6-7.

Sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the event allows residents and visitors of all ages to fish legally in Kentucky waters without a fishing license or permit for the two-day period. All other fishing regulations, including size and creel limits, remain in effect, and anglers must still obtain permission before fishing in private waters.

The annual event is designed to introduce newcomers to fishing while encouraging families and experienced anglers to enjoy Kentucky’s abundant lakes, rivers and streams.

Many communities across the commonwealth will host special fishing events throughout the weekend, particularly for youth. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife also provides resources for beginners, including information on basic equipment, fishing locations, regulations, fish cleaning techniques and instructional videos.

For those without equipment, fishing poles can be borrowed free of charge at various locations throughout Kentucky through the department’s loaner fishing pole program.

Anglers looking for a place to fish can explore Kentucky’s Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) program, which features easily accessible lakes stocked regularly with fish. The department also offers online fishing forecasts, habitat maps and access information for lakes and waterways statewide.

Officials encourage families to take advantage of the opportunity to get outdoors and experience one of Kentucky’s most popular recreational activities.

“The water is calling,” Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials said. “Pack up the family on the first weekend of June and enjoy fishing in Kentucky — for free.”

06/01/2026

FATAL WRECK HAS
SHUT DOWN PARKWAY

Update: The roadway is back open.

We currently have Troopers on the scene of a fatal collision on the Cumberland Parkway at the 70 mile marker westbound in Russell County.

Please avoid the area as the both of the westbound lanes are completely shut down while Trooper complete the accident reconstruction.