Positive First Dog Training has been helping dogs and their owners work through behavioral challenges for more than a decade.

Owner Amanda “Mandy” Miller began training dogs professionally in 2008 before opening Positive First Dog Training in 2010. The business fulfilled a dream she had held since she was 11 years old.

For Miller, one of the most rewarding parts of the work is helping owners recognize what their dogs are capable of.

“My favorite part of my job is showing someone how amazing their dog really is,” she said. “The hope that is in the owners’ eyes at the end of the lesson, compared to the desperation at the start.”

Before opening the business, Miller spent years fostering shelter dogs. That experience exposed her to common issues including excessive barking, marking in the house, aggression between dogs, and anxiety in rescue dogs.

She used those experiences to develop training programs addressing many of the issues she encountered while fostering.

Positive First originally opened in Grants Pass, Oregon, before relocating to Owensboro in 2019. Miller expanded into service dog training in 2012.

Today, the business offers puppy training, behavior modification, aggression and fear training, potty training, assistance with rescue and foster dog issues, and canine sports.

Positive First also trains service dogs for a variety of needs, including PTSD, POTS, mobility assistance, medical alerts, narcolepsy, and blood pressure-related conditions.

The name Positive First reflects Miller’s approach to training. She said she begins with minimally aversive techniques before using other available tools as needed to reach the desired result.

“It is amazing what consistency and mindful reinforcement zones can accomplish,” she said.

For more information about Positive First Dog Training or to inquire about training services, call or text 270-702-7392 or email positivefirst@gmail.com.

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for more than a century.

Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.

By Morgan Urbanski The Owensboro Times

The Opportunity Center of Owensboro is helping middle school, high school, and college students with disabilities prepare for their future careers. Through their free vocational program, the Opportunity Center aims to empower individuals with disabilities to discover their potential, develop meaningful skills, and pursue successful futures.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to explore careers, build confidence, and become an active, contributing member of our community,” Training & Employment Specialist Tiffany Vinson said. “Through pre-ETS and [pre-vocational], we’re helping make that happen. One student, one opportunity, and one success story at a time.”

The program focuses on hands-on learning, getting kids ages 14-21 actively involved with learning and honing in on the skills they’ll need for whatever career they want to pursue. They’ve even taken tours to OCTC, HealthForce Kentucky, Daviess County Fiscal Court, and Chaney’s Dairy Barn in Bowling Green to learn about the different programs and potential careers the students could pursue.

“It’s just to help them build skills, get confidence, and get experience with different career paths that they may be interested in,” Director of Vocational Services Nick Tallent said. “We can also help them with looking into college if that’s something that they might be interested in going into later. We can help them with doing their FAFSA, doing whatever they may need when they get to college.”

Many students in the Daviess County area are eligible for the program, but organization leaders say just as many aren’t even aware of the program’s existence. They said the range of people with disabilities that would qualify for the program is much wider than you might initially expect.

“What we are finding is that a lot of students and parents don’t know that this service exists,” Tallent said. “Some of the schools in Daviess County — both county and city schools — are providing the service, but I think overall, parents don’t know that this service is available to their students. Then, the ones who do know that it is available think that it has to be like an intellectual disability. They don’t realize that there are so many more students that could be approved for this service that are eligible.”

Others who meet eligibility requirements include students with autism, ADHD, physical limitations or impairments, vision and/or hearing impairments, anxiety, depression and/or bipolar disorders. Even if a child or young adult struggles with a particular area — math, for example — they could be eligible.

An application process is involved, but leaders say the Opportunity Center has done its best to make that as simple and straightforward as possible.

“Students can be referred by the school,” Tallent said. “Parents or guardians can do the application. Guidance counselors [can help]. They can go to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation over on Fairview Drive. Healthcare providers can do the application, or they can just come here to the Opportunity Center or contact us, and we’ll help them with the application.”

She added, “It’s very simple. It’s only two pages. Very minimal information, and we can help them get everything submitted. Along with the application, they will also need to have either a 504 plan at school, an IEP (individualized education plan) with the school, or they will need to have some sort of documentation from a doctor/provider with their diagnosis on it. So, the application and that paperwork is what needs to be submitted for them to be approved.”

There is no cost for applying for the program.

Representatives from the Opportunity Center will be at the WBKR Yard Party on Aug. 28 from 10-2, and on Sept. 16, a health fair at the Opportunity Center from 10-1 will allow people to learn about the different services that the center provides.

“A lot of our pre-employment transition students that are in our program will actually be down there [at the WBKR Yard Party] helping serve the burgers and getting some real-life experience, which is a very cool thing for them,” Tallent said.

By Phoenix Stevens The Owensboro Times

Palmer and Lisa Dempsey have turned the unusual experience of a dance floor filled with people listening to different songs into a regional entertainment business serving schools, churches, festivals, fundraisers, and private events across Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Western KY Silent Disco launched its first event at the start of 2022. The business initially focused on public events in Owensboro and nearby communities before expanding to serve schools, youth groups, and private clients throughout the region.

Today, the company hosts nearly 50 private events each year, along with fundraisers and public events spanning from Paducah to Cincinnati.

Western KY Silent Disco offers wireless three-channel headphones that allow guests to switch between different music options, creating an experience that appeals to a variety of ages and musical tastes. In addition to DJ services, the business rents headphones and equipment for customers who want to host their own events.

“Our wireless three-channel headphones make it possible for every demographic to be included at any event,” Palmer Dempsey said. “With the ability to freely change between the three channels, everyone can always find something they like.”

Dempsey said the business works with each client to customize events while offering options for a variety of budgets.

“What sets Western KY Silent Disco apart from other entertainment companies and DJs is how unique our events become,” he said. “We listen to each client and come up with a custom plan for every event.”

Whether providing full-service DJ entertainment or equipment rentals, Dempsey said the company’s goal is to make the planning process as simple as possible while creating an event everyone can enjoy.

“We have fun everywhere we go and try to make every event the best it can be,” he said. “It is all about having a good time, so we make it as easy as possible from start to finish.”

As a mobile business, Western KY Silent Disco can bring its equipment to nearly any location, from event venues and backyards to unique settings such as caves.

Dempsey said giving back to the Owensboro community has also remained an important part of the business. The company regularly donates its time and equipment for community events, including the Estes Bulldogs Art Camp and the Owensboro Museum of Science and History’s Illuminate event.

“Our community works hard at putting together events for everyone, and it is an amazing feeling when we are asked to be a part of it,” Dempsey said.

For more information, visit WKYSilentDisco.com, call or text 270-925-1382, or follow Western KY Silent Disco on Facebook. The business also provides free quotes through its website.

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for more than a century.

Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.

By Ryan Richardson The Owensboro Times

What started as a family-owned window treatment business has quickly expanded to serve homeowners, businesses, and builders across the region through a mobile showroom that brings products directly to customers.

Owned by Sean and Maddie Simmonds, the company opened in July 2025 after Sean spent several years working in the window treatment industry. Since then, the business has expanded beyond interior window treatments to include exterior shades, awnings, and commercial projects.

Recent projects have included the new Ohio County Board of Education, Hopkins County Board of Education, and short-term rental units on Frederica Street that were featured in this year’s Parade of Homes.

Rather than operating a traditional showroom, Simmonds Blinds and Drapes brings its products directly to customers’ homes, allowing them to view samples in their own spaces before making a decision.

The business offers a range of products, including blinds, home-automated shades, exterior shades, and awnings, with long-term warranties designed to give customers confidence in their investment.

Sean Simmonds said the business’ family-owned approach is what sets it apart.

“Being a family-owned and operated business, you will always have the same people come out to your house, from consultation to installation and beyond,” Simmonds said. “This allows us to ensure that you will always receive high-quality customer service, high-quality products, and competitive pricing.”

Simmonds said the business is truly a family effort. While he attends every appointment, customers will often see his wife Maddie, one of their three children, or the family’s foreign exchange student as part of the business’ day-to-day activities.

The business has also built relationships with several local interior designers and builders while continuing to grow throughout the Owensboro and Bowling Green areas.

“My wife and I were both raised in Owensboro, and we look forward to giving back to the community that we grew up in,” he said.

For more information, visit SimmondsBlinds.com, follow Simmonds Blinds and Drapes on Facebook, or call 270-775-2964.

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for more than a century.

Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.

By Morgan Urbanski The Owensboro Times

For more than two decades, attorney Russell Duty has operated a full-service law practice in Owensboro, helping individuals and business owners navigate a wide range of legal matters from a single office.

Duty opened his solo practice in 2004 after serving in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, working for the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Board, and practicing with local law firms. 

Those experiences allowed him to build a practice that spans numerous areas of law, including personal injury, workers’ compensation, bankruptcy, criminal defense, disability law, wills and estates, domestic law, real estate, civil litigation, and appellate work.

“My office is truly a full-service law firm,” Duty said.

Duty said the breadth of his experience is what sets his practice apart from many others.

“Most law firms specialize in one thing or the other,” he said. “This office has the ability to provide all those services while other offices may not. As a result, I can truly take care of most of my clients’ needs. This is extremely rare in the legal market today.”

Whether assisting someone after an automobile accident, helping a client through bankruptcy, or handling other legal matters, Duty said his goal is to provide comprehensive legal services without requiring clients to seek multiple attorneys.

Duty said his connection to Owensboro has also grown over the past three decades.

“It has been a blessing to be a part of the Owensboro community for 33 years,” he said. “Not having grown up here, I feel I have a deeper appreciation for the benefits Owensboro offers.”

He said his family’s experiences in the local school system, parks, healthcare, and community have reinforced why they chose to make Owensboro home.

“Owensboro really has what you need with a small-town feeling,” Duty said. “My wife and I are so proud to be members of this community.”

For more information, visit RussellDuty.com, call 270-685-0033, email wrduty@juno.com, or stop by the office at 1324 Frederica Street.

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for more than a century.

Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.

By Morgan Urbanski The Owensboro Times

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WFIE) – Owensboro Catholic School officials celebrated the grand opening of a new Early Learning Campus Tuesday with a ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony.

The campus, located at St. Pius X Parish on Kentucky 144, will serve preschool students ages 3 to 5. Officials said the new facility expands early childhood education opportunities for families in the community.

Officials said they are looking forward to the new journey for the youngest students in Owensboro Catholic Schools.

The new campus will officially open on Aug. 12, as Owensboro Catholic Schools students head back to class.

By Emma Gefter 14 News

Since bringing Kona Ice to Owensboro in 2021, the Edmonds family has grown the business throughout Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana while remaining committed to serving the community.

Kona Ice was founded nationally in 2007, and Jared Edmonds brought the franchise to Owensboro in 2021. As the business has grown, more members of the Edmonds family have joined the operation.

In 2024, the family expanded by adding Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, Kona Ice’s sister brand, allowing the business to serve coffee, tea, frozen beverages, and energy drinks alongside Kona Ice’s signature shaved ice.

Melissa Edmonds said the business focuses on creating an experience for customers rather than simply serving shaved ice.

“What sets Kona Ice apart is that we’re more than just shaved ice — we create an experience,” Edmonds said. “From our colorful truck and self-serve Flavorwave to our commitment to giving back to the community, we focus on making every event fun, memorable, and easy for our customers.”

The self-serve Flavorwave allows guests to customize their shaved ice with a variety of flavors. Kona Ice also recently expanded its menu to include blended fruit smoothies made with real fruit and no added sugar.

Community involvement has remained a central part of the business. Kona Ice regularly partners with schools, sports organizations, churches, and nonprofit organizations to support fundraisers and community events.

“Our family holds strong ties to the Owensboro community,” she said. “Being part of Owensboro means more than serving shaved ice — it’s home.”

She said the family’s longtime connection to Owensboro has made giving back especially meaningful.

“We’ve built our lives here, raised our children here, watched them go through our local schools, and now we’re seeing our grandchildren do the same,” Edmonds said. “That’s why giving back to our schools, churches, nonprofits, and community events is so important to us. We love being able to serve the community that has given so much to our family.”

For more information about Kona Ice of Owensboro, Madisonville, and Lincoln Trail, visit its website, follow the business on Facebook, call 270-228-4280, or email edmonds@kona-ice.com.

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for more than a century.

Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com

By Morgan Urbanski The Owensboro Times

Ninety days. That’s how long I’ve added mom to the pile of hats on my head.

Over the past 90 days, I’ve asked myself and plenty of other moms more questions than I can count.

What’s the best bedtime routine? Is she supposed to cry this much? Does this look normal?

But the biggest question of all is the one that seems to unite every working mom I know:

How do you do it all?

I’ve asked it out loud. I’ve asked it silently while driving to work, while rocking my daughter to sleep, and while trying to answer emails with one hand and hold a bottle in the other.

The answer is surprisingly simple, even if it’s not what any of us wants to hear:

You don’t.

Behind the scenes, we’re all asking ourselves the same questions.

Do I stay late to meet my career goals, or do I go home so I don’t miss bedtime?

Do I chase the promotion, or do I chase every milestone?

I thought those choices meant I had to choose one version of myself over another. But I am realizing that’s far from the truth. I don’t have to be everything all at the same time.

We spend so much time chasing the idea of “having it all” that we rarely stop to ask what “all” actually means. I’ve started to believe that having it all isn’t about doing it all. It’s about choosing, over and over again, what matters most in each moment and giving ourselves the grace to accept that we won’t always get it right.

Ninety days into motherhood, I’ve realized that “How do you do it all?” is the wrong question entirely. None of us do it all.

Instead, we make dozens of small decisions every day about what matters most in that moment. Some days our careers need more of us. Other days our families do. Neither choice defines us.

I don’t want my daughter to grow up believing she has to choose between loving her family and pursuing her dreams. I want her to know she can be compassionate and ambitious. Hardworking and nurturing. A devoted mother, if she chooses, and deeply driven and fulfilled in her career.

One day, she may ask me how I balanced work and motherhood. I hope she never thinks I did it perfectly, and I hope she never thinks I did it alone.

I hope she knows I stood on the shoulders of countless women who walked this road before me. Women who shared their wisdom, offered encouragement, and reminded me that none of us are meant to do this by ourselves. I pray she grows up surrounded by women who will do the same for her.

I hope she knows I loved my work and loved my family. I hope she understands that balance was never about giving everything equal attention every single day. It was about learning to give the right things my attention in the moments that mattered most.

Because my goal won’t ever be to do it all.

But as a leader, it will always be to work hard, love well, show up, and give myself grace for the rest.

Julia Kimbrell Brooks For the Messenger-Inquirer

Hundreds of local children will head back to school with new clothes and renewed confidence after the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation’s 33rd annual Back-to-School Shopping Trip on Tuesday.

The foundation provided 250 pre-approved children with $100 vouchers to purchase back-to-school clothing and essentials at Burlington, Ross, and Bealls. Founder Alma Randolph Crump said the annual event was inspired by her own childhood experiences growing up in poverty.

“I remember growing up in Ohio County and dreading the first day of school because you can identify the haves from the have-nots more than any other time in the year,” Randolph Crump said. “I felt less than the other children, and that was very embarrassing to me.”

Those experiences led her to establish the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation in 1993.

Randolph Crump said the organization’s first shopping trip served about 160 children with less than $12,000 in funding. More than three decades later, the annual event continues to help local families prepare for a new school year.

Before families began shopping, Pastor Rhonda Pearson, chair of the foundation’s back-to-school initiative, welcomed participants and thanked the William and Marilyn Young Foundation for its continued support of the annual event.

Randolph Crump said the shopping trip is about more than providing new clothes.

“All of these children are going to be spared those embarrassing moments that I experienced when I was growing up,” she said. “Self-image and confidence are really one of those make-it-or-break-it things.”

Randolph Crump said she hopes families facing financial hardships remember that difficult circumstances are temporary.

“Do not judge your future for a temporary situation that you’re in now, because there’s always hope that there will be a brighter day,” she said.

By Morgan Urbanski The Owensboro Times

Breakfast Express LLC has spent the past year serving fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch from its mobile food trailer and will celebrate its first anniversary Aug. 14.

Owned by Robert and Anna Kuhner, Breakfast Express was inspired by Anna Kuhner’s years of experience in the restaurant industry.

“I’ve actually been in the food business forever,” Anna Kuhner said. “I was the manager at Hardee’s on Frederica for years.”

The menu features breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, and rotating specials, along with burgers, chicken sandwiches, cheese sticks, poppers, and other lunch favorites. One customer favorite, the protein bowl, was originally introduced as a limited-time special before earning a permanent spot on the menu.

The Kuhners said preparing every meal fresh to order is what sets Breakfast Express apart.

“We cook everything to order, fresh and hot,” Robert Kuhner said. “Nothing’s pre-made. Everything’s fresh.”

That approach also allows the business to accommodate special requests whenever possible, including preparing meals for customers with dietary restrictions.

“Even if it’s not on the menu, if I have the ingredients, I can make it,” Anna Kuhner said.

Breakfast Express regularly serves customers at Glenmore Distillery on Mondays. Anna Kuhner said Glenmore was the first business to reach out after the trailer opened, and the relationship has continued ever since.

“They were the very first people that reached out to us the first weekend we opened,” she said. “They’ve been loyal to us, so we’ve been loyal to them.”

The Kuhners said giving back to the community is an important part of their business. They regularly support local organizations and events through donations and meals.

“We like to give back to the community as much as we can,” Anna Kuhner said. “I love our community.”

Readers can learn more about Breakfast Express LLC by visiting its Facebook page, emailing breakfastexpressllc@yahoo.com, or calling 270-702-6058.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times