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Willis Anthony Curtis

Use of decoy in child sex crimes case sparks debate among attorneys

A sheriff's deputy claimed in testimony Oct. 29 he searched the cell phone of a suspect charged with soliciting a 13-year girl for sexual acts and allegedly found a stash of child pornography. …

Wife of man critically injured in Maysville Road collision issues statement

There was no arraignment today as expected for the 23-year-old Sharpsburg man facing multiple charges here, including attempted murder, folloowing an Oct. 24 accident. Ater a private …
Arionne Harris

Grand jury indicts suspect in hit and run murder case

Arionne Harris, 26, the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run case, was indicted by the Montgomery County Grand Jury Oct. 23 on a murder charge.   The indictment alleges that Sept. 29 Harris …

ICE responds to Advocate inquiry regarding immigration holder for stabbing, pursuit suspect

Juan Jose Garcia Ponce
The man facing charges in three counties, including attempted murder, did not appear in court Wednesday as expected. According to the Bourbon County Circuit Clerk's Office, Juan Jose …
Flames and smoke can be seen coming from the side/back of this home in Jeffersonville. The fire dept. said when units arrived they discovered heavy fire involvement. The home was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Jeffersonville home saved, but suffered considerable fire damage

A Jeffersonville home was saved but suffered considerable damage following a Wednesday evening fire. According to information provided by Zach Adams, a battalion chief for the Montgomery County …
Matthew Lucas Bliffen

23-year-old facing multiple charges after local weekend accident, including attempted murder

A 23-year-old Sharpsburg man is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, following an early morning accident Saturday, Oct. 24, on Ky. 11 North (the 7200 block of Maysville Road) near the …
Additional Local News - Sponsored by Traditional Bank
Sarah Congleton
Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science
A holiday tradition returns: 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, …
2026 Outstanding Farm Family - Marlin Gerber & Family
Marlin Gerber was born and grew up in the agriculture industry, dairy farming in Ontario. In 2006 he moved his family to West Liberty, Ky.  In 2016 the Gerber family bought a farm and moved to Mount Sterling. Here they started Walnut Leaf Country Market in Camargo. They also continued driving back to West Liberty to operate the meat shop there. They also began dreaming and planning to move the meat processing home to Mount Sterling as well and raising more feeder cattle to supply the business.   In the fall of 2024, construction began on the Gerber’s new meat processing facility, Jemstar Meats, here in Mount Sterling.  Then by the turn of the year in 2026, they moved into the new plant.

  In April of this year they opened their retail store front where they offer fresh and frozen meats, deli, local dairy products and a variety of groceries.   The Gerber’s raise their own beef for their retail store as well as buying from some local farmers who meet their feeding criteria. They are committed to providing quality meats, farm raised and look forward to serving the community here in the coming years with their farming and meat operation. 
Chamber holds annual awards banquet
The annual Chamber of Commerce awards banquet was held last week at the Clay Community Center. The banquet featured a Stars, Stripes and Chamber Nights America 250 theme and was presented by …
Michael Phillip Rutledge
Jeffersonville man who was allegedly intoxicated on school grounds and had gun appears in court
A man who was allegedly intoxicated and brought a gun on school property was arraigned today in Montgomery County District Court. Michael Phillip Rutledge, 23, of Jeffersonville, entered a plea …
Jack at 9 years old playing the First Presbyterian Church piano, with his Uncle Barry looking on. Photo submitted to the Advocate.
From pews to playbills:
When Jackson “Jack” Terbush sat down at a piano at a local church here at age 9 he had no idea it would set the stage for a path eventually leading all the way to the Big Apple and the Broadway …
Local 11-year-old not backing down in battle against cancer
When you hear local 11-year-old Kaia's story, you might take pause and think she's a real life super hero. She's been battling her arch nemesis—terminal cancer—since 2020 and she's currently …
German Eduardo Morales Valladares
5'4 Hispanic male allegedly attempted using ID of 6'2 white male for employment at local factory
A Hispanic male who allegedly tried passing himself as someone else is facing multiple charges, including theft of identity. German Eduardo Morales Valladares, 32, of Mt. Sterling,   was …
128 residents participate in final free landfill disposal day
Montgomery County residents took part in the final free landfill disposal day of 2026. A total of 128 residents brought in 71.9 tons of waste to the Montgomery County Landfill Saturday, Oct. 10, …
Update on I-64 rehabilitation project in Montgomery/Clark
I-64 Rehabilitation Project Update – Clark & Montgomery Counties  Crews are currently working on mainline paving operations along I-64 between mile points 101.7 and 117.8, with paving …
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 …
Obituaries
Joe “Mason” Kash, 78
Joe “Mason” Kash, 78, of Winchester, died Thursday, Oct.   22, 2026, at Stanton Nursing and Rehabilitation. Born Aug. 31, 1948, in Mt. Sterling, he was the son of the late Dr. Roy Mason …
Edward Gene Stull, 84
Edward Gene Stull, 84, passed away peacefully, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at the Fountain Circle Nursing Home. Born Feb. 24, 1942, in Mt. Sterling, he was the son of the late Henry and Rosie …
Carolyn Mae Mansfield Conley, 86
Carolyn Mae Mansfield Conley, 86, departed this life peacefully, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. Born Aug. 29, 1940, in Mt. Sterling, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Katherine Wood …
Sheri Jeanine Blair Shelley, 66
Sheri Jeanine Blair Shelley, 66, of Fleming Island, Fla., went home Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, after a battle with cancer. Born Aug. 16, 1960, in Paintsville, she was the daughter of   …
Charles William Roberts, 83
Charles William Roberts, 83, of Mt. Sterling, died Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 at St. Joseph Hospital Mount Sterling. Born April 10, 1943, in Mt. Sterling, he was the son of the late William Clay …
Advocate sports

The Final Whistle: Sometimes leadership looks like a seat in the stands

Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Stephanie Harris, right, often attends athletic events to root on local students.
There’s something to be said for the people who show up. Not because they’re required to. Not because someone expects them to. But because they genuinely want to be there. Spend enough …

BIG PLAY! Eli Duff picks off pass in final minute to seal victory for frosh/JV football Indians!

Eli Duff celebrates a game saving interception in victory against Powell Co.
While the varsity Indians continue their search for their first win, Montgomery Co.’s freshman and junior varsity players gave the program something to celebrate Saturday, earning a hard-fought …
Riley Sammons and Madelyn Taylor were the top finishers for MoCo in the 5,000 meter race.

Cross Country shines at Area 7 Championships

The Montgomery Co. cross country program delivered an impressive showing Saturday at the KTCCCA Area 7 Cross Country Championships in Mason Co., competing against approximately 600 runners …

Rocky Top and the Art of Expecting the Worst

(LEXINGTON, Ky.) — Kentucky is 7–1. I'll repeat that for those of you who've spent the last half-century following Wildcat football and are understandably having trouble processing the …

Winning Ugly Never Looked So Beautiful

(NORMAN, Okla.) — “Statistics are for losers,” Kentucky head football coach Will Stein said after his team stunk it up for much of the game against Oklahoma on Saturday. Too many punts. Not …

The Final Whistle: A front-row seat to other peoples' lives

I’ve spent a lot of years standing on the sidelines. Football fields, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, gymnasiums, and countless places in between. And somewhere along the way, I …