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

A delegation of Owensboro-Daviess County business leaders and government officials made the rounds Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to express the community’s priorities to Kentucky’s legislative representatives.

Dave Kirk, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, said he was excited about the response the 19-member delegation received.

“This was my first time as the president of the chamber to get to go on this trip, but from what I gathered from the other attendees who have been before, it’s probably one of the most responsive groups that we’ve met with,” Kirk said. “Everybody was engaged and seemed interested, and we felt like we got our message out there. Now the key is to follow up. So we’ll shoot those emails our for letters of support next week, and then just reminding them of what we talked about.

“But I was incredibly happy. People were engaged and wanted to listen and wanted to know what Owensboro is doing.”

Kirk said the requests presented were determined after meetings with the chamber board and other local leaders who participated in the trip.

Becoming a member of the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) was a major topic during the meeting with Sen. Rand Paul. The DRA is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to promote economic development and improve the quality of life in 225 economically distressed counties and parishes across multiple states, including Kentucky.

“We are not in the program, and it takes an act of Congress to be eligible to be in the DRA,” Kirk said. “So we talked to him about that, trying to get some support out of the Senate. Congressman (Brett) Guthrie has been very supportive on the House side, so we figured the more support we can get, the better chance that before the end of the year we could get in that.”

Kirk said the driver for wanting to be designated as a DRA county is the potential funding it provides, with the federal government allocating around $4 million annually to the program.

“If you’re not in that pool of counties, you can’t apply for grant funding,” Kirk said. “A lot of it is workforce development, stuff for the community college. There’s a lot of opportunities that unfortunately we can’t access because we’re not part of it. So we were advocating to get us in there so that it opens a pot of money for a lot of companies and education institutions in Owensboro.”

Kirk said they also discussed HealthForce Kentucky, the collaborative health care workforce initiative that is striving to combat state shortages through immersive training. The initiative partners with nine colleges and universities alongside numerous P-12 school districts across 16 Kentucky counties.

“He’s a physician, optometrist, so we wanted to make sure that he was aware of that,” Kirk said.

Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport’s need for a new terminal was also discussed. The current terminal is about 70 years old.

“We’ve had some support from the state and local government, and we wanted to make sure that they’re aware that we’d really like to get in the FAA budget,” Kirk said.

Discussions also centered around an infrastructure project at the Owensboro Riverport Authority, as well as the erosion issue on the Ohio River riverbank.

“(Owensboro City Manager) Nate Pagan did a fantastic job of illustrating there is still a need to sure up the bank where the water just hits it so hard there,” Kirk said. “That was well received.”

In addition to Paul and Guthrie, the delegation met with Reps. James Comer, Morgan McGarvey and Andy Barr — the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat held by Mitch McConnell. They also met with McConnell staffers.

“We had a packed schedule, and we wanted to make sure to get the word out for Owensboro,” Kirk said. “It was definitely worth getting up there and making sure we were heard.”

By Scott Hagerman Messanger-Inquirer

Since opening in June 2022, Commonwealth Connections has helped individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities build meaningful, independent lives through person-centered services across the Owensboro area.

Founder Sarah Roby launched the organization after working as a special education teacher and privately contracted behavior specialist. Those experiences gave her firsthand insight into both the strengths of the individuals she served and the gaps that existed within the support system.

“I knew there was an opportunity to create something different — an organization that prioritized relationships, dignity, and truly person-centered care,” Roby said.

What began as a small organization has grown into a comprehensive provider of services throughout the community.

Commonwealth Connections provides services through Kentucky’s Medicaid waiver programs, including the Michelle P. and Supports for Community Living waivers. Its offerings include adult day training, staffed residential homes, Family Home Provider homes, behavior support services, community access, personal assistance, community living supports, and respite care.

Rather than expecting individuals to fit into a predetermined program, Roby said the organization builds supports around each person’s unique goals and needs.

“We don’t believe our job is simply to provide care,” she said. “We believe it’s to create opportunities for growth, independence, connection, and purpose.”

Roby said Commonwealth Connections’ culture is what sets the organization apart.

“Our mission is simple: Everyone is loved. Everyone is valued. Everyone is welcome. Everyone has purpose,” she said. “Those aren’t just words — they guide every decision we make.”

She said her background in education and behavior support has shaped an approach focused on understanding each individual, recognizing their strengths, and creating supports that help them succeed rather than simply managing challenges.

Roby also said Commonwealth Connections invests heavily in its employees because exceptional care begins with exceptional people.

“When our employees feel supported and valued, they’re able to provide the same level of compassion and dedication to the individuals we serve,” she said.

Community partnerships have also helped create opportunities for the individuals Commonwealth Connections serves.

“Every partnership creates another opportunity for someone to build confidence, develop relationships, volunteer, enjoy local events, or simply feel like they belong,” Roby said.

For more information about Commonwealth Connections, visit commonwealthconnections.org, stop by the office at 1700 Parrish Plaza Drive, or call 270-929-9293.

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 John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

Baird Wealth Management celebrated its new Owensboro office Tuesday with a ribbon cutting and open house held in partnership with the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

The event also served as a Chamber After Hours gathering, welcoming community members, clients, and local business leaders for tours of the new office, networking, and refreshments.

Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dave Kirk recognized Baird’s longstanding presence in the community, noting the firm has been a chamber member since 1980.

“This space will allow you guys the room and the space to do fantastic business, as you’ve done for so many years,” Kirk said.

Branch Manager Shannon Raines thanked those in attendance and said the new office represents Baird’s continued investment in its employees, clients, and the Owensboro community.

“We are so grateful to share this moment with our friends, our clients, our family, and our community,” Raines said. “We’re proud of this space, and we’re excited to share it with you.”

Raines recognized the firm’s 32 Owensboro associates, many of whom have spent much or all of their careers with Baird, and said their dedication has helped build lasting relationships with clients throughout the region.

“Our goal has always been simple: We want to help people make smart choices about money so that they can have more confidence, more peace of mind, and the freedom to have the life that they’ve worked so hard to build,” she said.

Raines said the new office will provide additional space for collaboration, client meetings, and community events while supporting Baird’s continued growth in Owensboro.

“We’re proud to call Owensboro home,” she said. “This office is more than a building. It is an investment in our people and in our community.”

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting celebrating Baird Wealth Management’s new Owensboro office.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

Dispo Smoke was founded with a mission to educate customers about cannabis while creating a welcoming environment that challenges traditional perceptions of smoke shops.

Owner Madison Burris said he and part-owner Richard Beeler had worked together for many years and shared a passion for helping others before opening the business. As Kentucky’s cannabis laws evolved, they saw an opportunity to bring Farm Bill-compliant cannabis products to Owensboro while helping educate the community.

“Our goal is to help Owensboro understand that cannabis isn’t the ‘boogeyman’ we were all taught it was growing up,” Burris said.

Dispo Smoke exclusively carries products that comply with the 2018 Farm Bill and offers gummies, disposable vape products, tinctures, beverages, and mushrooms. Burris said new inventory arrives weekly, and the business also offers local delivery and personalized recommendations.

Every product sold in the store has been personally vetted by the team, allowing employees to confidently answer customers’ questions and help customers find products that fit their needs.

“Educating our guests is a massive priority for us — a natural carry-over from my previous career as an educator,” he said.

Burris said the business was intentionally designed to create a different experience than what many people expect from a smoke shop. The bright, clean interior features a mural painted by employee Shelby Barr, helping create a welcoming atmosphere.

“We purposefully designed our space to stand apart from the typical ‘smoke shop’ stereotype,” Burris said.

Community involvement has been a priority since the business opened. Burris said the business joined the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce as part of its commitment to becoming an active member of the Owensboro community.

In addition to serving customers, the business sponsors local sports teams and plans to continue supporting community organizations and events.

“We are incredibly proud to be part of the Owensboro community,” Burris said. “We want to be as involved in the community as Owensboro will allow.”

Dispo Smoke is located at 1000 E. Fourth St., across from Welborn’s Florist. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.disposmoke.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 John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times