Good morning, Owensboro.

Homes in Deer Valley have been lighting up green to support a local family in honor of Reece, whose favorite color was green — over 100 houses now show their care with porch lights and ribbons in a quiet display.

The Owensboro-Daviess County Veteran Organization held a flag retirement ceremony Monday night to honor the legacy of service and sacrifice that shaped our community, officials said.

Residents will be able to ride the city bus for free tomorrow, June 18 as part of National Dump the Pump Day celebrating 20 years of easing fuel costs.

The city covers the fare so riders can use the service for work, errands, or leisure.

Gusto Italian is now open at 5257 Frederica Street, offering authentic Italian dishes made from family recipes by Sicilian-born Nick Kamberi.

The restaurant serves lunch specials, dinner, and catering in a welcoming atmosphere with complimentary fresh-baked bread today.

Colton Hardy from Apollo High School was named Kentucky FFA State Star Farmer last week at the FFA Convention in Lexington, recognizing his work growing crops and securing his own 80-acre farm.

His award highlights his dedication to the FFA program and local agricultural traditions.

School officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Highland Elementary School’s new Owensboro location after the school board approved construction in August 2025.

This event marks a key step in expanding local education.

The Owensboro Board of Commissioners reviewed a revised proposal on Tuesday to rezone the 121-acre Massie Property along West Parrish Avenue to I-1 Light Industrial aimed at boosting long-term industrial growth, while economic development officials plan funding for preliminary site work and an AirPark Drive extension may start in July.

The Safe Haven Baby Box is now fully operational at Fire Station 3 on Cravens Avenue — it offers a secure, anonymous option for parents to surrender newborns.

The service operates 24/7 under state Safe Haven laws and replaces the earlier location at Fire Station 1 due to construction.

OMU is exploring a 545-megawatt natural gas power plant at the former Elmer Smith site along the Ohio River, with GDS Associates set to study its effects before the utility joins MISO in 2027—this project may create 15 to 20 local jobs.

City officials are holding critical incident training exercises at Owensboro Public Schools from June 15 through June 26 — fire and police vehicles will be on campus while the building is closed to nonparticipants.

The training is part of local efforts to prepare for emergency situations and ensure safety.

Developers are marketing nearly 20 acres at 3800 Frederica St as part of the Shoppes at Frederica redevelopment, offering flexible options for multifamily housing, retail, office, or mixed-use projects.

The listing, posted Tuesday, follows recent citations for building conditions (no asking price has been provided).

R.O.M.P. Festival 2026

12:00–9:59 p.m. — Yellow Creek Park — Ticket info available — Experience the sounds of Mason Via and more at this annual music festival in Owensboro.

2026 Heritage Hills Quarterback Club Golf Scramble

7 a.m. – 7 p.m. — The Pearl Club — $400/foursome — Enjoy a day of golf while supporting the local football program with prizes and a provided lunch.