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Locals Ebie Adkins (second from left back row) and Ellie Bowlin (front row) are among locals with roles in a movie debuting this weekend. Photo submitted.

You can find some locals on the big screen this weekend!

Two Montgomery County women have starring roles in a new film that debuts Oct. 9-15 at Tenth Frame Cinema. Ebie Adkins and Ellie Bowlin, who both live in Montgomery County, play major characters …
Michael Ritchie

Citation claims intoxicated man hurled large knife, nearly hitting woman

A Mt. Sterling man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly threw a knife that nearly hit a woman while intoxicated, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Michael Ritchie, 30, was …

Father, son facing charges after accident in which police say utility pole was damaged

A father and son are facing charges after police say the vehicle they were traveling in struck a telephone pole. The pair were both allegedly intoxicated, according to police. Andrew Hon, 25, of …
Phillip Rutledge

Man charged with having weapon on school grounds allegedly had small bottles of Fireball in pants pockets, citation claims

The Advocate has obtained the uniform citation concerning the incident at McNabb Middle Tuesday, in which a man is facing charges after allegedly being intoxicated with a loaded handgun on school …

Advocate obtains records in prior Ind. rape case for now local murder suspect Arionne Harris

At press time this morning, the Advocate was still awaiting some records requested regarding Arionne Harris. Harris, 26, of Richmond, Ind., is the murder suspect charged in the hit and run death …

Celebration of life set for Lexington woman killed here after being struck by tractor trailer

Photo courtesy Charita Watkins' social media page
Dylan Watkins has organized a GoFundMe donation drive for his aunt. Felicia G. Joseph, 36, of Lexington, was pronounced deceased at the scene Tuesday at 9:21 p.m. by Montgomery County Coroner …
Additional Local News - Sponsored by Traditional Bank
Chamber/Economic Development Director addresses KFC closure
The Advocate has received a statement from Jason Rainey, executive eirector of Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Economic Development/Chamber of Commerce, in reference the closing of the local KFC …
Sarah Congleton
Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science
A Holiday Tradition Returns: Montgomery County Extension Homemakers Annual Bazaar
Source: Sarah Congleton, Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Montgomery County   There’s something special about the start of the holiday season—the decorations come out, …
Photo of rattlesnake at MCHS courtesy Zack Tyra
Rattlesnake discovered at MCHS relocated to farm
School resource officers with Montgomery County Schools discovered a timberland rattlesnake at the high school Wednesday, according to the individual who removed it. Zack Tyra, an experienced …
Chris Barrier.
Barrier: Existing bushes, vegetation next to MCHS gym removed to ensure no other snakes in vicinity
The following is a statement from Chris Barrier, Chief Operations Officer, for Montgomery County Schools in regard to the rattlesnake discovered at MCHS Wednesday. Barrier said the rattlesnake was …
20-plus Sept. grand jury indictments dismissed
Circuit Judge Elizabeth Davis has ordered the dismissal of 22 indictments and one superseding indictment returned by the Montgomery County Grand Jury Sept. 25. In an order included in each of …
Judge explains ruling in Michael Dunn case
Circuit Judge David Barber told the Advocate it’s unfortunate he had to expunge the record recently of Michael Allen Dunn, but he had no discretion to do otherwise under the law as it is written …
Justin Botts, left, and Harley Botts bought toy ducks from Bobby Barnes as part of a fundraiser for Relay for Life Saturday at First United Methodist Church.
Annual Relay event held
Relay for Life was held Saturday at First United Methodist Church. The theme was "Never Too Many Candles," focused on more birthdays for cancer survivors. Rebecca Stone, a cancer survivor, …
McNabb Middle School seventh grader Spencer Howell posed with Scooter, a donkey that was part of a petting zoo last week at the school as part of "All in For Ag" Week in the district. The event was hosted by the school's FFA program.
McNabb students treated to petting zoo
McNabb says its petting zoo was a big highlight last week.  "Big thanks to Miss Gross for leading the way, and to our FFA members and parent volunteers for bringing their animals and giving …
Elly Bach looked like she was ready to take the stage last week, dressed as Dolly, complete with blonde hair and a microphone!
Elly also won a Dolly look-a-like contest at the arts center during a Dolly event 9/25 that raised funds for the Imagination Library.
Dolly Day photo submissions
The Advocate received several submissions of how local residents were paying tribute to the late Dolly Parton last week on 9-2-5 Day or Dolly Day! Included with this is a slideshow of …
Obituaries
Onley Christopher Marcum, 59
Onley Christopher Marcum, 59, of Stanton, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in Lexington. Born Nov. 23, 1966, in Irvine, he was the son of the late Onley Earl and Alweena Ratliff Marcum.   He …
Christopher Nathan Lewis, 24
Christopher Nathan Lewis, 24, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Mt. Sterling. Born Oct. 5, 2001, in Louisville, he was the son of Jonathan Lewis and Connie Adams Lewis. He …
Billy Ray Shoemaker, 86
Billy Ray Shoemaker, 86, of Jeffersonville, died Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, at his home. Born Jan. 14, 1940, in Mt. Sterling, he was the son of the late Walter Scott and Audie Mae Vice Shoemaker. …
Mary Buchanan, 79
Mary Buchanan, 79, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Born March 10, 1947, in the mountains of Frenchburg, she was the daughter of Waverly and Delta Buchanan. …
Larry Wayne Stephens, 67
Larry Wayne Stephens, 67, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. He was surrounded by his loving family in his hometown of Mt. …
Advocate sports

The way we gather has changed

Every once in a while, I’ll be standing on a sideline or along a fence and find myself thinking about how much high school sports have changed. Not necessarily the games themselves. The …

McNabb eighth grade claims regular season division championship

The McNabb eighth grade football team celebrates a memorable night highlighted by a conference win and securing the regular season division championship
It was a memorable 8th Grade Night for the McNabb Middle School football team as the Indians celebrated their eighth graders with a convincing 38-6 victory and secured the regular season division …

Montgomery Co. youth football continues to grow through early season

MOCO YOUTH FOOTBALL - Carl Booker goes up with the one hand catch
The Montgomery Co. Parks & Rec fifth- and sixth-grade football team continued to show growth and determination this week despite falling 32-14 to a strong Paintsville squad. Head coach …
Mason Miller checked in with official. He hauled in seven passes for 58 yards Friday night. Defensively, he also  recorded seven solo tackles and two assists for a team-high nine total tackles

Breathitt Co. pulls away from Montgomery Co., 58-27

Montgomery Co. put together one of its strongest offensive performances of the season Friday night, but Breathitt Co.’s explosive rushing attack proved too much to overcome as the Bobcats handed …

Decisions, Decisions

(LEXINGTON, Ky.) — I had a really good question for Mark Pope at Kentucky Basketball Media Day on Monday. At least I thought it was good. You’ll have to take my word for it because I never …

Boys golf competes in first round of state

Boys golf competed in first round of state in Presetonsburg today.  Full coverage in this week's Advocate. (photo credit Julie Bonfield)