Good morning, Owensboro.

Owensboro Living and Owensboro Times are launching the '20 in 2026' initiative to honor 20 locals whose work is shaping the future of Owensboro-Daviess County.

Nominations are open until October 24 (deadline), and a review committee will consider factors like leadership, community service, and professional achievements.

The Owensboro Black Expo will host the Taste of Expo event Saturday at 4 p.m. at the H.L.

Neblett Community Center where over 35 local cooks will serve soul food including barbecue, greens and desserts—tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door and proceeds will support future Black Expo events.

Wendell Foster has launched its annual bourbon raffle, Spirits of the Season, to support disability services in the area.

The raffle offers 4,000 tickets at $25 each, closes at 11:59 p.m. CST on October 30, and its drawing will be held live on October 31 at noon at the Elmer Administration Building—proceeds support nearly 70,000 disability services.

Kentucky Wesleyan College launched the Center for American Civics today to boost civic education on campus and in the community.

The center will host events such as a history roundtable, Constitution Day programming and a public speaker series, and Daniele L. Celano—completing her Ph.D. in history—is named its first director.

Retired Daviess County deputy Kenneth 'Wayne' Burns died on September 30 at age 65 after a long career as a military police officer and more than 22 years at the Detention Center.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 6 at Haley—McGinnis Funeral Home, and he later worked in security at Owensboro Community & Technical College.

City employees from WKU’s Master of Public Administration program are conducting a quality of life survey in Owensboro—gathering public feedback for city officials.

The survey will help guide future decisions on community needs.

A study by nonprofit SmileHub shows that Kentucky ranks 44th overall in health and wellness in 2025—low life expectancy, poor access to outdoor activities, and high obesity rates point to ongoing challenges in the state.

WWE Hall of Famer Billy Gunn will appear at the Owensboro Sportscenter on November 1 for the OVW Wrestling Show—his Birthday Bash as he wrestles with Al Snow and other pros while local favorite Krown performs a concert before the match; doors open at 5:30 p.m. with Krown starting at 6 p.m. and the event kicking off at 7 p.m.

Today, Carter Houk from Daviess County boys’ soccer and Laney Rhodes from Apollo girls’ soccer earned weekly honors by receiving the most votes in this week’s poll—making them the Owensboro Times Players of the Week.

The next poll will open Monday.

Practical Magic Market

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — The Little Healer — Free entry — Explore whimsical and spooky merchandise at this enchanting themed market.

Girls Day Out Fall 2025

10 AM – 4 PM — Owensboro Convention Center — Free admission — Enjoy a day of shopping with great vendors and exciting door prizes.

Pumpkin & Pickle Festival

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — The Cottage Farm Stand — Free entry, $5 parking — Explore over 150 vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and relish seasonal delights at this family-friendly festival.

Southern Accents - Tribute to Tom Petty

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Cannon Hall — Cost info not provided — Experience the ultimate Tom Petty tribute with Southern Accents and relive the iconic sounds of the Heartbreakers.