Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari have received nine nominations across six categories in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Public voting is open now to determine the winners.
The nominations were selected by a panel of editors and industry experts, park officials said. Holiday World is nominated for Best Theme Park, while Splashin’ Safari is up for Best Outdoor Water Park.
Several individual attractions also earned recognition. Three rides — Cheetah Chase, Mammoth, and Wildebeest — are nominated for Best Water Coaster. The Voyage is nominated for Best Roller Coaster. Bahari River is up for Best Lazy River, and both Bahari Wave Pool and The Wave are nominated for Best Wave Pool.
“Our team is honored to be nominated in so many categories again this year,” said Matt Eckert, president and CEO of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. “The recognition from industry experts is nice, but Holiday World exists because of our guests who visit and love the park. We hope everyone will help us reach the top by voting daily — especially for best outdoor water park and best water coaster.”
Voting began March 23 and continues through April 20. The top 10 winners in each category, as determined by reader votes, will be announced on April 29. Votes can be cast here.
Holiday World is preparing to open its 80th season in May. Park officials said the anniversary will include an expanded operating calendar and the return of several events and entertainment offerings, including Holidays in the Sky drone show, the Nerveless Nocks stunt show, the Summer Wine’d Down Culinary Festival, and the Dino Corn Maze Adventure. A new event is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta has touched the lives of many during her tenure as president and CEO of RiverValley Behavioral Health.
On Tuesday afternoon, the impact Figueroa-Peralta has had on the community was recognized, as she was named the 2026 ATHENA Award winner during the annual awards ceremony at the Owensboro Convention Center.
“I’m speechless, and that’s a miracle,” she said upon accepting the award. “Thank you so much. Thank you to Girls Inc. for what you do. You inspire and continue supporting not only girls, but also the women in this community, and you remind us how we got here — and the truth is no one makes it alone. We need to support each other, we need to celebrate each other, and we need have to open opportunities. I thank you for doing that.
“This moment is deeply personal to me, because I carry my mother. She is no longer with us, but her belief in me and opening opportunities that she didn’t have made me do what I do. She accepted no excuses, and she reminded me of the struggles she had and women of her generation and other generations to have a seat by the table.”
The ATHENA Awards, which were held locally for the 28th time, celebrate the outstanding contributions of professional and business women. One finalist in the Owensboro community is chosen annually to receive the award in recognition for excellence in her business or profession, for service to the community in a meaningful way and for assisting women in developing their leadership potential.
Tish Correa-Osborne, chief executive officer of Girls Inc., which presents the awards in association with the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, praised all of the nominees for their contributions in the community.
This year’s eight finalists for the award were selected through a preliminary review process. There were a record-tying 28 nominations.
Figueroa-Peralta said, “I’m humbled by it, because I think every finalist deserved it, and we had the opportunity to know more about them and their impact, and also many other women in the community that are contributing every day. For me, it is an opportunity to continue working hard to develop access for others.”
Figueroa-Peralta said with such a strong field of nominees, she was caught off guard being announced the winner.
“I couldn’t believe it; it took me completely by surprise,” she said. “I cannot describe it, because I respect Girls Inc. so much and what Tish is doing in this community. So to be honored by them adds extra significance, and also the responsibility to keep creating opportunities for girls and for other leaders in the community so they can develop their potential.”
Figueroa-Peralta’s accomplishments are nearly too lengthy to list. Originally from Puerto Rico, she was raised in a family that emphasized the importance of contributing to one’s community. She graduated from college when she was just 18 years old. She then moved to Chicago to complete her post graduate studies. She obtained her master’s in school guidance; a masters of divinity degree; master’s of educational specialist degree; and a doctorate of education. She is also a licensed clinical professional counselor.
Throughout her career, she has held influential leadership roles in public education, social services, youth development and behavioral health; holding positions within the Chicago Public Schools; chief operating officer and behavioral health director of Association House of Chicago; and CEO of ASPIRA of Illinois.
Today, Figueroa-Peralta oversees RiverValley Behavioral Health, a multi-state behavioral healthcare organization operating in Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas. She said she is sharing the award with her staff.
Sue Napper, chairperson for the ATHENA Awards, said Figueroa-Peralta covered all the bases for what Girls’ Inc. seeks in an ATHENA Award winner.
“What didn’t stand out about Wanda; I think just her whole story, from being a young girl in Puerto Rico and being faced with the challenges of gender expectations, then her mother pushing her to be whatever she wants to be,” Napper said. “To think she left her home country, went to Chicago, got additional degrees and her PHD, and just things she has accomplished professionally, which is just so impressive.
“But along the way she’s always made sure that she’s helped others along and helped to open doors, whether it’s staff people or other females she’s mentoring in the community, she’s a tremendous individual. She’s a tremendous honoree.”
Figueroa-Peralta said she embraces being a role model.
“It’s extremely important; no one makes it by themselves,” she said. “We’re inspired by others, and I want to be intentional about it in everything that I do, that I reflect the values that I was taught and that I carry the legacy of my mother and the mentors that I have had along the way, and I become that for others. It is with responsibility that I accept the award, and I think that I can honor the values that are instilled in me.
“Everyone of the girls who spoke here, you could see the talent. Imagine if they didn’t have that lab and the mentoring and the opportunities. We would be at risk of not developing that potential. So it’s not only their loss, but it’s a community loss when that happens. I think we have to continue investing in leadership opportunities, mentoring opportunities, for girls and any other groups that for whatever reason have a hard time having a seat by the table.”
Also receiving recognition during the ceremony was the late Emma Edwards. She received the Legacy Award, which was presented in partnership with the Owensboro chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
Edwards graduated from Western High School in Owensboro and from Kentucky State College. In 1913, she began her teaching career at Pleasant Ridge in Daviess County. The following year, she joined the faculty at Western High School. In 1923, she transferred to Paul Dunbar School, where she became principal in 1934 and faithfully served until her retirement in 1962.
Affectionately known as “Miss Emma,” she was a leader in the Black community and was widely described as a “legend.” She worked with the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and United Way. Prior to her retirement, she was named the “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” by the Owensboro Junior Woman’s Club and later received the 9th Humanitarian Award from the United Way.
A national commercial restoration and construction company continues to build its presence in Owensboro after first arriving in response to a major hailstorm in early 2025.
BlueTeam, a U.S.-based provider specializing in commercial restoration, construction, and roofing, entered the local market following storm damage that impacted properties across the region. Since then, the company has remained active in Owensboro, working on multiple projects while developing relationships with local businesses and property managers.
“We’ve been in Owensboro since March of last year,” said Birman Jenkins, a field sales representative for BlueTeam. “The big hailstorm brought us in, and we had some guys come out to see where we could help put the town back together.”
BlueTeam operates as a turnkey provider for commercial clients, including portfolio managers, asset managers, and property owners. The company focuses exclusively on commercial properties such as hotels, apartment complexes, senior living facilities, industrial sites, and municipal buildings.
“We do the full construction,” Jenkins said. “We do restoration, construction, and storm damage relief — whatever your property needs to be restored back to its normal state before the storm.”
Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, with additional operations in Houston, Texas, BlueTeam has expanded to more than 20 locations nationwide. Jenkins said the company’s growth has largely been driven by demand and long-standing relationships with major commercial clients.
“We expanded with the demand,” he said. “We have over 1,600 accounts, ranging from hotels to large commercial properties. A lot of our work comes from referrals and responding when those clients experience damage.”
While BlueTeam is known for its disaster response work, particularly during hurricanes and severe storms, Jenkins emphasized that the company also handles renovation projects, fire and flood restoration, and capital improvement work unrelated to storm damage.
“That’s just a portion of what we do,” Jenkins said. “We also do renovation work and long-term projects. We’re more than just storm response.”
In Owensboro, BlueTeam has taken on several projects since arriving, including work at the Oasis Shelter, the Conference Inn, and the H.L. Neblett Community Center. Jenkins said the company’s ability to scale operations allows it to take on both large and smaller commercial projects when working in a concentrated area.
“When we have a big project in a market, it allows us to help some of the smaller commercial properties as well,” he said.
Jenkins, who is based in Tennessee, frequently travels to Owensboro to oversee projects and build connections within the community. He said relationship-building is a key part of his role, particularly in helping property owners navigate the recovery process after storm damage.
“My job is to create as many relationships as possible and understand what their emergency response plans look like,” Jenkins said. “Sometimes there are delays with insurance or contractors, and we try to help move that process along.”
He added that BlueTeam often assists clients with insurance claims, including re-inspections or advocating for reconsideration when claims are denied.
“There are several properties in Owensboro that still need work,” Jenkins said. “We try to figure out what the holdup is and see if we can help.”
Although the company does not maintain a permanent physical office in Owensboro, Jenkins said BlueTeam maintains a consistent presence in the city and plans to continue working in the region.
“We’re nationwide, but we have a local feel,” he said. “We’re high-tech, high-touch.”
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 over 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.
A Webster County native who found success in the roofing industry in Texas has returned to western Kentucky to launch a new business that is quickly expanding across the region.
Jake Gibson founded Roof Angel about eight months ago and has already grown the company to multiple locations serving Owensboro, Henderson, and Louisville. The company specializes in residential and commercial roofing, along with gutters and siding, and has completed millions of dollars in projects since launching.
Gibson said his journey into roofing began unexpectedly during the COVID-19 pandemic while he was working at FedEx.
“I actually had a roofer come by my house while I was working at FedEx,” Gibson said. “He knocked on the door and said, ‘Hey, you have hail damage. You need to file a claim.’”
At the time, Gibson was living in Texas after leaving Webster County as a young adult. He had previously lived in Dixon before moving to Tulsa and eventually Amarillo, where he met his wife and began working in the roofing industry.
Gibson joined a company called Roof Smith in Amarillo and quickly found success.
“After that, I sold a ton of roofs,” Gibson said. “I sold over 1,000 roofs.”
During that time, Gibson and a business partner also invested heavily in real estate, acquiring about $13 million in properties over roughly two years. After the partnership ended, Gibson returned to western Kentucky and launched Roof Angel.
The company began operating shortly after severe storms impacted the region, but Gibson said the business has not relied solely on insurance claims.
“I wasn’t really chasing the storm,” Gibson said. “Most of our work is retail. I would say it’s probably about 50-50.”
Roof Angel currently employs a team of about a dozen people across its offices, including sales staff, project managers, and administrative support. The company also works with roofing crews that bring the workforce on job sites to around 30 people.
Since launching, Gibson said the company has completed roughly $7 million in sales and continues to grow rapidly.
“It’s been huge,” he said.
One of the company’s largest upcoming projects is a commercial roofing job in Indiana covering roughly 300,000 square feet.
“That one starts next month,” Gibson said. “That’s going to be massive.”
While residential roofing remains the company’s primary service, Gibson said he hopes to increase the share of commercial projects in the future.
“Residential is bread and butter,” he said. “But commercial is kind of where I want to go — maybe 80 percent commercial and 20 percent residential.”
Roof Angel recently opened an Owensboro office at 2212 Frederica St., near Jimmy John’s, which Gibson said will serve as the company’s central hub as it continues expanding.
“We decided about a month ago we’re going to plant here,” Gibson said. “I’m excited to get in the community.”
Gibson said the company also plans to open an office in Evansville and eventually expand through franchising with guidance from a business coach who specializes in franchise development.
Along with growing the business, Gibson said he hopes to use Roof Angel to give back to the community. The company is currently launching a program to provide a free roof to a military veteran selected through an application process.
“I’m a big faith guy,” Gibson said. “I love to give. I don’t chase money ever. It’s more like, how do we help people?”
More information about the company and its services is available at roofangel.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 over 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.
UniFirst says its commitment to Owensboro remains unchanged following the announcement that Cintas Corp. plans to acquire the company in a $5.5 billion deal, and as local leaders say they are watching closely to see what the move could mean for the company’s large local operation.
“UniFirst has operated in Owensboro for nearly 30 years, and our commitment to the community remains as strong as ever,” a UniFirst spokesperson said in a statement. “We recently completed our planned facility expansion and expect it to be operational in early April. We appreciate the significant contributions of our local Team Partners and look forward to continuing to operate out of the facility for years to come.”
The proposed acquisition, announced March 11, still requires shareholder and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2026. Until then, the companies will continue operating independently.
The development has drawn particular attention in Owensboro, where UniFirst operates a large distribution and fulfillment center that employs more than 520 people and recently completed a $28 million expansion.
Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson said the announcement came as a surprise, but said he believes the acquisition could ultimately be positive for the community.
“I was shocked. I didn’t know anything about it,” Watson said. “I talked to several people who work out there, and they were surprised as well.”
Watson said mergers and acquisitions are a common part of business and said he hopes the transition brings continued stability for the local workforce.
“Anytime we can have a strong corporate citizen like Cintas come in and join us, that’s a good thing,” Watson said. “The way business works today, there are a lot of similarities between companies like these, and executives move between organizations and keep that momentum going.”
Watson said his main concern was simply ensuring the Owensboro operation remains a fixture in the community.
“I’m just glad UniFirst didn’t leave,” Watson said. “This is a good company that’s been part of our community for a long time, so hopefully we just keep marching forward.”
Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen said acquisitions often create uncertainty for employees and communities, but he believes the recent investment in the Owensboro facility could help secure its future.
“When something like this happens, employees always wonder what it’s going to look like for them,” Castlen said. “And as a community with as many employees as UniFirst has, it certainly makes us wonder what the horizon looks like.”
However, Castlen said the company’s recent expansion project could make the Owensboro site an attractive part of the combined company’s network.
“They just invested a substantial amount of money expanding that facility,” Castlen said. “When you make that kind of investment and when the site is doing something unique within the company, I like to think that makes it a very strong part of the operation and something Cintas would want to keep and hopefully grow.”
Castlen said he was not aware of the acquisition before it was announced and quickly reached out to local economic development officials for more information.
“I called Claude Bacon right away to see if he had heard anything,” Castlen said. “He said they had reached out to their contact at UniFirst and were told it was business as normal until they hear otherwise.”
Castlen added that it is common for acquiring companies to remain quiet during the early stages of a deal.
“When I was in banking, I was on both sides of acquisitions,” Castlen said. “Generally, the buyer is very quiet until decisions are made. Then you find out what they want you to know.”
He acknowledged that some administrative changes are possible over time, but said it is too early to know how the acquisition could affect operations locally.
“I hope it doesn’t mean any kind of job loss,” Castlen said. “But until the deal closes and the companies figure out how everything fits together, it’s really hard to know what that might look like.”
Cintas declined to comment for this story.
Dave Kirk, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, said the organization is hopeful the transition will strengthen relationships with the company’s new ownership.
“While we don’t know details yet, we’re excited to meet with Cintas to talk about the expansion,” Kirk said. “We’ve had a fantastic relationship with UniFirst, and I hope to not only continue that with Cintas but grow it. UniFirst has been a great corporate citizen in our community.”
Claude Bacon, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation, said the organization was not aware of the acquisition prior to the public announcement, which he said is typical in corporate transactions of this scale.
“Overall, I view this development positively, as UniFirst’s strength and success are what made the company an attractive acquisition target,” Bacon said. “They have been a valued partner in our community for many years, and we now look forward to building a strong relationship with Cintas as we move forward together.”
UniFirst’s Owensboro facility processes more than 20 million garments annually for customers across the United States and Canada. The recently completed expansion added approximately 109,000 square feet, bringing the total size of the complex to about 469,000 square feet and incorporating robotics, advanced conveyor systems, and other technology aimed at improving efficiency and order accuracy.
Local leaders said they will continue monitoring developments as the acquisition process moves forward, with hopes that the Owensboro operation remains an important part of the company’s future.
Public officials, members of the community and staff members from both the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and the Opportunity Center of Owensboro, located at 1101 East Byers Avenue, joined together on Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the organization’s expansion into occupational therapy services.
Though services officially began softly last summer, the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially commemorated the program’s launch.
The Opportunity Center of Owensboro is a local nonprofit organization with a mission “to provide training, advocacy and support to people with disabilities that empower them to achieve their life goals.”
“Think about all the things that you have to do to be here (the ribbon-cutting) today. Probably things that you don’t even think about. You woke up. You got dressed. You took a shower. Maybe you made your coffee. Maybe you went through a drive-through to get coffee. All of those things that you just do as a part of your day…You’re going to leave here, go back to your jobs, go back to your families, cook dinner, play a game with your kids or grandkids. All of those things are part of your everyday life. But then think about it. What if you couldn’t do those things anymore?” said Crystal Tallent, the director of therapy services with the Opportunity Center. “That’s why occupational therapy exists. It’s just everyday life and helping people be able to do their everyday life.”
The addition of occupational therapy services is just another way that the Opportunity Center supports its vision “to be the premier provider of services to people with disabilities, which will enhance their lives in our community.”
“We’re mostly here to celebrate Crystal, but also to just (celebrate) all of the amazing things that are happening at the Opportunity Center,” said Ashlee Berry, community engagement director with the organization. “We’ve been here for 70 years this year, so it’s a big year for us. So, we’re very, very excited to not only celebrate 70 years, but also Crystal and the expansion of our occupational therapy services.”
Berry said that Tallent has been an occupational therapist for over 17 years, previously working with the special-needs population at the Wendell Foster Center.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have her in our center and giving her talents to this organization, as well as the public, too,” Berry said. “Not only does she provide occupational therapy services to all ages, along with utilizing assisted technology, she can help the individuals in our building, but also individuals who are out in the public.”
The organization has a few more spots available for occupational therapy services, Berry said.
“We’re almost to a point where we’re going to have a waitlist,” she said.
Minority-owned businesses have become a growing part of the local economy in recent years.
And in February 2024, that increase led to the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s creation of a Minority Business Coalition.
At 8:30 a.m. Thursday, the chamber will host the Minority Business Coalition Brewed for Business: Resource Open House at its office, 200 E. Third St.
Dave Kirk, chamber president, said, “While we’ve had the minority business coalition in place, this is our first open house. We hope to reach as many businesses as possible. The event will also have existing chamber members offering everything from coaching to banking to marketing to owning your own small business. We want to be a resource for anyone new.”
The event is open to minority and women-led business owners and entrepreneurs who are looking to start, grow or strengthen their businesses as well as chamber members and businesses interested in learning more about available business resources, the chamber said.
People will have the opportunity to connect directly with local resources that can offer guidance in areas such as finance, marketing and branding, business planning, workforce support and certification opportunities.
“We are going to be intentional about making sure that all businesses feel welcome in Greater Owensboro,” Kirk said. “This event is the perfect, informal way to invite new members to have their seat at the table.”
Kahawa Java, a minority-owned business, will provide coffee for the event.
At the time the coalition was formed, Candance Castlen Brake, who was then the chamber’s president, said, “The coalition will offer networking and support for the unique challenges and barriers often faced by minority-owned business leaders. We have seen such a significant rise of minority business start-ups and second-stage growth businesses recently in Greater Owensboro.”
The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Coalition will host a “Brewed for Business” resource open house on Thursday. The event is geared toward minority and women-led business owners and entrepreneurs looking to start, grow, or strengthen their businesses.
The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Chamber office, 200 East 3rd Street.
Attendees will be able to connect with resource partners offering guidance on topics such as finance, marketing and branding, business planning, workforce support, and certification opportunities.
Those interested in attending can RSVP by calling the Chamber office at 270-926-1860 or registering online through the Chamber.
Mentor Kids Kentucky, an area nonprofit organization that pairs underprivileged youth with community mentors, celebrated the grand opening of the program’s new facility, 2809 Veach Road, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, performed by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.
The journey that the organization took to get to the ceremony, said Mentor Kids Kentucky Executive Director Berly Sullivan, took about two years and a lot of “blood, sweat and tears” to get to this point.
“If you could have seen this building before …” Sullivan said in a speech as she addressed city officials, Mentor Kids Board members, members of the community and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.
The building, she said, initially had no running water or heat and the lighting wasn’t great.
At Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting, guests were able to view the upgraded and renovated facility, which includes areas to do arts and crafts and play board games, a pool table, a video game area, a fully functioning kitchen and a washer and dryer, which allows the community mentors to work one-on-one with their mentee to learn basic kitchen and laundry skills, “so kids don’t have to go to school in dirty clothes,” Sullivan explained.
Following the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, lunch was served inside the facility and two speakers, City Commissioner Curtis Maglinger and local periodontist Dr. Greg Adams, along with Sullivan, addressed the crowd, talking about the importance of community mentors.
Commissioner Maglinger spoke in the place of Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson, who is still recovering from a medical event at the end of 2025.
“This community is always believing in people,” said Maglinger. “As someone who’s spent their life here in Owensboro and serving as a city commissioner, I see that spirit every day. Programs like Mentor Kids continue that tradition by investing into the next generation. This facility has become a place where encouragement is given, confidence grows and young people deserve opportunities that they may not have, that they might not have thought possible.”
Adams spoke about the positive impact that mentors make, especially when a child’s home life isn’t ideal, something that he recalls growing up with an alcoholic father.
“Dad was a smart man. He was very well educated. He worked in the distillery business for a number of years, and at 4:45 p.m. he got home, but at 5:30 p.m. I couldn’t talk to him. It was gibberish because he had a significant alcohol problem. …So, growing up with a parent like that, it’s kind of tough,” Adams said.
He said that he found support from a coach in his life, Mayor Tom Watson.
“Coach was my guy in high school. …At practice, he would come up, put his arm around me and say, ‘What’s going on today?’ And we would talk. …We didn’t have a place like this,” said Adams. “When I told (my dad) I was going to medical school, he said, ‘Well, you’re the biggest failure in my life, get out and don’t come back.’…But Tom was there.”
Adams said that he and Watson exchanged letters and phone calls while he was in college.
“We stayed in touch, and, to this day … I still have all his letters, and I’m going to go back and read those letters because they were all affirmations, like ‘You got this,’ ‘You can do this,’ ‘Keep your head up’ and ‘Don’t quit.’ — all those things that we need to hear growing up because, for me, I wasn’t getting it at home. And that was the difference that mentorship made for me,” Adams said.
Sullivan shared an entry she wrote in a journal in 2023, stating that the building repairs and renovations were “quite the journey.”
“What if word got out and kids found out about a safe place, where dreams for their future were encouraged and actually achievable with the dedicated support of people, where they could actually start to believe that they might actually start to believe that they might actually be about to achieve their dreams, and hope their future is planted by the way of a mustard seed. And even though the mustard seed is the tiniest, over time, with consistency and the love and support of those people, that little mustard seed that has been planted into a child, it reaches its fullest potential, breaking through the barriers and the hard circumstances that were set to keep them captive,” Sullivan said.
She continued, “They break the cycle before the cycle breaks them. And they had the courage and the strength to do so because of those people showing up, and then having a safe place to go. What if word got out on the street that there was a safe place built with love and grace, where kids could go when they feel they have no one in their corner, and the darkness is settling in around them. A place where they could safely take a breath. …When that light pierces their darkness, ushering in hope — hope for the moment, hope for the night, hope for the future.”
Sullivan said that those words described her goals for the new venue, which the organization moved into in January 2024, spending the past two years renovating the facility to make the space ideal for mentors to spend time with their mentees in an ideal location.
More information about Mentor Kids Kentucky, along with information about how to become a mentor, can be found on mentorkidsky.org.
A new wellness business in Owensboro is blending medical services with convenience, offering everything from IV hydration therapy to weight-loss treatments — sometimes delivered right to a client’s doorstep.
Mobile RN, owned by 22-year-old nurse Emma Krampe, began as a mobile-only service in September before opening a brick-and-mortar location in December at 750 Salem Drive, Suite 2A.
Krampe said the concept centers on helping people feel better through vitamin therapies and wellness treatments, often without the need for a traditional clinic visit.
“So we have a brick-and-mortar location here, but we also do mobile services,” Krampe said. “If you’re sick and you’re like, ‘I don’t want to get out of bed,’ we’ll come to you, hook you up to the IV and get you feeling better.”
The business offers IV hydration drips, vitamin injections and a variety of wellness therapies designed to address specific needs such as immune support, athletic recovery, migraines and hangovers.
Among the options are hydration treatments like the Myers’ Cocktail, energy drips, metabolism blends and beauty-focused infusions that include ingredients such as glutathione, vitamin C and biotin. Mobile RN also provides vitamin injections including B12, vitamin D and B-complex.
According to the company’s website, IV hydration therapy allows fluids, electrolytes and nutrients to enter the bloodstream directly, which can help the body absorb them more quickly than oral supplements.
“The science behind it is really a twist on modern medicine,” Krampe said. “You can eat vitamins all day long. Some people don’t absorb them well. When it goes straight into your vascular system through an IV, it’s absorbed instantly.”
In addition to IV therapy, Mobile RN offers medical weight-loss treatments using medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, as well as Botox injections, laser hair removal and skincare services. Krampe said the business also plans to hire an esthetician to expand its facial offerings.
A key part of the company’s model is flexibility.
“We’re all about convenience,” she said. “If you have an appointment scheduled, there’s no waiting room. You come in, fill out your paperwork and I’m here waiting on you. But if you can’t make it here, we can come to you — at work, the office, even somewhere like a basketball practice.”
Mobile services have also become a way to introduce new people to the treatments, she said.
“When you’re getting an IV somewhere and people see it, they ask questions,” Krampe said. “Then they want one too.”
Before launching the business, Krampe worked as a travel nurse, commuting frequently to Bowling Green. She said the demanding schedule led her to rethink her career path and consider starting a business in her hometown.
“I never thought I’d be a business owner in Owensboro,” she said. “I was travel nursing and driving back and forth every day, and I realized I couldn’t keep doing that. I saw the need for this and thought, ‘I think this is what I’m supposed to be doing.’”
Krampe grew up in Stanley and graduated from Apollo High School before earning her associate degree in nursing. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern Indiana and plans to attend nurse practitioner school in the future.
The business initially operated out of her home before quickly gaining traction.
“There was really no risk starting out of my house,” she said. “Especially with the weight-loss medications, it took off. I realized this is my calling.”
Mobile RN operates on a private-pay model because most insurance plans do not cover IV hydration therapy. However, Krampe said clients can use health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts for many services.
Before receiving treatment, clients complete a consultation process that includes a brief telehealth evaluation with a physician.
“The doctor consult usually takes about five minutes,” Krampe said. “They review your information, ask a few medical questions and approve you for services.”
The consultation remains valid for six months as long as a patient’s medical history does not change.
The Salem Drive location includes a small waiting area, treatment space for IV therapy and injections, and a separate room for facial treatments. A nurse practitioner with Guided Path Solutions also operates in the building, offering Department of Transportation physical exams during evening hours and on weekends.
Although the business is still growing, Krampe said the response from the community has been encouraging.
“It’s been busy,” she said. “I’m a perfectionist, so I want it to be constant. But I love helping people feel better and getting that one-on-one time with them.”
Appointments can be scheduled by phone, text or through the company’s 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 over 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.
