Members of the local farming community, elected officials, FFA participants from the county’s high schools and the community came together early on Saturday morning for the 46th annual Farm City Breakfast, hosted by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Kentucky Farm Bureau (KYFB) insurance, at Apollo High School.

Cheryl Burks-McCarthy, who served as the event’s emcee, welcomed guests to the annual occasion involving an hour of speeches provided by community leaders and the farming community, the recognition of the Farm City Humanitarian Award and breakfast from Greg Floyd and Highway 54’s Ole South BBQ.

Burks-McCarthy recognized elected officials in attendance, including US Congressman Brett Guthrie, Kentucky Senator Gary Boswell and Kentucky Representatives Suzanne Miles and DJ Johnson, along with local officials, Owensboro Mayor Pro Tem, Bob Glenn, Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen, Owensboro City Commissioner, Curtis Maglinger and Daviess County Commissioners, Janie Marksberry and Chris Castlen.

“I just want to say thanks, everybody, for having me here today. I came here a few years ago…but I’ve always enjoyed coming because this event is great for people who don’t farm…I actually work on the end of the food supplying as a kid. I grew up in a grocery store,” said Congressman Guthrie during his address to the crowd.

Guthrie briefly touched on the “One Big Beautiful Bill” during his address and stated that the agriculture committee is “going to start working on the farm bill, the investment extensions on the farm bill”, which will consider foreign policy coming off of this week’s Supreme Court decisions on the Trump tariff plan. He also said that local members of the KYFB will be heading to D.C. during the upcoming week to discuss farm policies.

Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta, president and CEO of River Valley Behavioral Health and Chamber Board member, addressed the audience on behalf of the Chamber, staying that the annual Farm City Breakfast is “one of my favorite gatherings every year because it reflects what this community is about.”

Figueroa-Peralta highlighted the partnership between the Chamber and KYFB, too.

“I also want to recognize the strong and long-standing partnership between the Chamber and Daviess County Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau is such a steady, trusted presence in our rural communities. They advocate for our farmers when it matters the most, and they support youth leadership through scholarships and ag education. I believe that they help to tell the story of agriculture to those who may not grow up on a farm, but benefit from it every single day,” she said.

She also recognized the importance of agriculture on the local community.

“I’ve learned since I was a child that agriculture is more than an industry—it’s a way of life. It shapes our values, hardwork, stewardships and optimism,” Figueroa-Peralta said. “There is this quote that I love. It says that the farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer. It’s not possible to be a farmer without being an optimist…Our farmers rise before the sun, navigate unpredictable seasons and markets and invest not only in crops and livestock, but in the families, their neighbors and the future of life. They adapt. They endure. They give. And they keep going, and we can learn from that and do the same.”

Brandon Gilles spoke representing Farm Bureau, highlighting the partnership between the organization and the Chamber and mentioning scholarships for high school and college aged students that are available through KYFB. Gilles also welcomed Dave Kirk, the Chamber’s incoming president and CEO following the retirement of Candance Castlen-Brake at the end of 2025.

“We all know that farming has its challenges…but we also know that agriculture and business can work strongly together. Whenever we do, we build resilience. We create opportunity,” Gilles concluded, emphasizing the partnership between Farm Bureau and the Chamber.

The Farm City Breakfast’s keynote speaker, introduced by Daviess County farmer Suzanne Cecil White, was Willis Jepson, an eighth-generation Kentucky and Tennessee farmer. His family’s farm began in 1806.

“I’m just a farmer—it’s not that big of a deal,” Jepson said. “We all have a passion. We have to decided what our passion is going to be, and only a very few of us get to live our passion every day, and it’s refreshing for me to be here with y’all today and see this crowd here supporting the county’s agriculture…it’s very refreshing.”

Jepson continued to speak about the current climate surrounding farming, encouraging farmers to keep going and “come together as a community.”

Farm Bureau recognized the county’s top producers for corn, Zoglmann Bros LLC, soy beans and wheat, both topped by Tanner Stroup.

The 17th annual Farm City Humanitarian Award was presented to Tish Correa-Osborne to conclude the event.

“The Humanitarian Award recognizes someone who provides service in its truest form while making a lasting difference in the lives of others,” said Burks-McCarthy.

“There isn’t anybody in here that hasn’t been doing just amazing things to take care of others to make sure that we’re all rising, that we can all still be here. I have been so blessed my entire life that my life work life is not just work, but it’s been my passion. To be able to be a farmer in a little way by planting seeds of future joy, future leadership, future inspiration in little girls’ lives—little girls that sometimes don’t matter or don’t seem to matter to others. And they’re blowing me away with everything that they are becoming or are capable of becoming and what they are doing with their lives, despite the obstacles that they face,” said Correa-Osborne, speaking as she accepted the Humanitarian Award, describing her work as the Chief Executive Officer of Owensboro’s Girls, Inc.

By Michele Lohman Messenger-Inquirer

Eight finalists for the 28th annual ATHENA Awards, which are presented by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Girls Incorporated, were announced Friday.

The ATHENA Award celebrates the outstanding contributions of professional and business women.

An individual in the Owensboro community will be recognized for their excellence in their business or profession, who has served the community in a meaningful way and who has assisted women in developing their leadership potential.

“The award recognition represents more than individual achievement, it celebrates leadership that elevates our entire community and beyond,” said Sue Napper, ATHENA chairperson. “By recognizing professional excellence, community service and the intentional mentorship and assistance to women, ATHENA highlights the kind of leadership that strengthens us all.”

There were a record-tying 28 nominations received from the community for the award. Candidates completed a nominee questionnaire packet that was forwarded to a selection panel to determine up to eight finalists.

“We were very pleased with the quality of the nominees and the stories of the lives they lead,” said Tish Correa-Osborne, Girls Inc. CEO. “There is real excellence in this community and the impact on girls, women and men will be felt for years to come.”

The 2026 nominees are:

• Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta, president and CEO, RiverValley Behavioral Health

• Jan Goldman, executive director, Kentucky Community Learning Network

• Jessica McDonald, operations group manager, (vice president), Mortgage Financial Operations

• Rebecca McQueen-Ruark, assistant vice-chancellor of student affairs, Ivy Tech Community College, Evansville

• Tracy Naylor, executive director, Owensboro Health Foundation

• Jessie Schartung, program director, St. Benedict’s Women and Family Shelter

• Jackie Smith, owner, operator and designer, Jackie Blue Handmade

• Samantha Taylor-Kaai, chief operating officer, Audubon Area Community Services

Finalists will be assessed by a separate panel to determine the award honoree. Members of both panels are from outside the community with no knowledge of the nominees other than the information provided by the nominee.

In addition to the ATHENA Award, the luncheon will acknowledge someone posthumously with the Legacy Award for their work in advancing women and related issues.

Both winners will be recognized during the ATHENA Award program luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, at the Owensboro Convention Center. The luncheon is sponsored by German American Bank and Owensboro Health.

Single tickets are $100, and tables of eight are available for $800. Reservations may be made by calling Girls Inc. at 270-684-7833.

“This marks the 28th year we have had the privilege of celebrating outstanding women in partnership with the Chamber,” Napper said. “Each year, hearing their stories and learning about the incredible contributions they make to our community and to the advancement of women is both inspiring and humbling.

“It is a huge honor to be part of a celebration that recognizes such extraordinary leadership and impact.”

By Scott Hagerman Messenger-Inquirer

They say Saturday’s Farm-City Breakfast is the 46th annual event celebrating agriculture’s importance to the community.

But the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has been celebrating the agriculture community for much longer than that.

The first mention in the Messenger-Inquirer was in 1959 — 67 years ago.

But however old it is, it’s still “The Best Breakfast in Daviess County,” the chamber says.

Dave Kirk, chamber president, said, “The agriculture community in Daviess County represents everything that’s right in this world. They work hard, long hours to make sure both their families and your families are fed and taken care of.”

He said, “The Farm-City Breakfast is a celebration of what this group of people mean to both our economy and our community.”

Willis Jepson, a partner in Jepson Family Farms, will be the featured speaker.

According to its website, Jepson Family Farms began more than 200 years ago in Simpson County. Today, the sixth, seventh and eighth generations are still working the land.

They grow corn, wheat, soybeans and dark tobacco in Simpson County and in Robertson County, Tennessee.

The gathering is organized by the Daviess County Farm Bureau and the chamber.

It will be at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Apollo High School.

Food will be prepared by Ole South Barbeque and served by FFA volunteers.

The program will include the presentation of the annual Humanitarian Award.

Tickets are $7.

They can be purchased by calling the chamber office at 270-926-1860 or on the chamber’s website — owensboro.com.

Cash will be accepted at the door.

By Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer

OWENSBORO, Ky. — The Owensboro Family YMCA will receive $6.6 million in federal funding to build a new child care center, a move aimed at easing a critical shortage in western Kentucky where parents face waitlists of up to two years for infant care.

What You Need To Know:

•The Owensboro Family YMCA secured $6.6 million in federal funding from Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to build a new 20,000-square-foot child care center in Daviess County
•The project will add 150 slots for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, boosting the YMCA’s total capacity past 300 amid 1.5- to two-year waitlists for infant care
•Emphasis is on affordability for working-class families, with community partnerships to keep costs low while offering high-quality programs like free tutoring
•Site selection is underway, with a possible groundbreaking by December and opening targeted in about two years; it could serve as a model for other Kentucky communities

The funding, secured by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, will support a 20,000-square-foot facility dedicated to child care. It is expected to add about 150 slots for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, pushing the YMCA’s total capacity past 300, officials said.

Tom Bontrager, president and CEO of the Owensboro Family YMCA, said the demand is overwhelming.

“Currently in Owensboro, there’s about a year and a half to two-year wait list for an infant,” Bontrager said. “We just did a grand opening, and we were filled within a week. That kind of tells you the need.”

The project builds on recent expansions at the YMCA, including new infant, toddler and preschool programs that filled up almost immediately after opening last year. Those additions brought in about 80 slots, which were snapped up without heavy marketing.

The new center, to be owned and operated by the YMCA, will focus on affordability for working-class families. Bontrager said the organization is using community partnerships to keep costs low while providing high-quality care.

“Affordable, high-quality child care is even more needed,” he said. “We’re positioned for the families who are working-class families. You know, we have a lot of great kids here, but they get an experience that you would get at any higher-cost child care center.”

Site selection is underway, with officials hoping to break ground by December and open the facility in about two years. Bontrager said the project could serve as a model for other Kentucky communities grappling with similar shortages.

The effort involved collaboration with Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and city council members, who helped submit the earmark request more than a year ago.

Child care access has become a pressing issue across Kentucky, with many families struggling to balance work and care for young children. The YMCA, the nation’s largest provider of child care, aims to expand its role in filling that gap.

The funding is a step toward closing the gap on affordable child care, a growing challenge for families statewide.

The Owensboro Family YMCA has been expanding its programs, including after-school care for ages five to 12 and free tutoring services in partnership with Kentucky Wesleyan College. Officials said the new center will include indoor activity space tailored to young children.

No specific location has been announced, but Bontrager said plans should be revealed in the next 30 to 60 days.

By Sam Knef Spectrum News 1

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEVV) — The 46th Annual Farm City Breakfast will be returning to Owensboro this Saturday.

The event, dubbed “The Best Breakfast in Daviess County,” is presented by the Daviess County Farm Bureau and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. It will take place at 7:30 a.m. at Apollo High School on February 21st.

Local farmers and businesses are sponsoring the breakfast, which will be prepared by Ole South Barbeque and served by local FFA volunteers. The program will feature Willis Jepson, Partner of Jepson Family Farms, as a speaker.

The event will also include the presentation of the Humanitarian Award, honoring a leader who has significantly improved the well-being of Owensboro and Daviess County residents.

“The agriculture community in Daviess County represents everything that’s right in this world. They work hard, long hours to make sure both their families and your families are fed and taken care of,” said Chamber President & CEO Dave Kirk.

Kirk emphasized the importance of the event by saying, “The Farm City Breakfast is a celebration of what this group of people mean to both our economy and our community. Do yourself a favor and join us for the best breakfast and some of the best people in Daviess County.”

Tickets are priced at $7 and can be purchased by calling the Chamber office at 270.926.1860 or through their website. Cash will also be accepted at the door.

By Ben Thomas 44 News

A locally owned staffing firm is helping connect job seekers and employers across Owensboro and western Kentucky.

Express Employment Professionals, at 1900 Triplett Street, works with individuals seeking full-time, part-time, and temporary employment while partnering with local businesses to fill a variety of workforce needs. According to its website, the Owensboro office operates as a locally owned and operated business supported by an international organization with decades of experience in the staffing industry.

The company emphasizes what it describes as “the best of both worlds,” combining small-business flexibility with the resources and stability of a global network.

Express Employment Professionals places candidates in a wide range of roles, including office services, light industrial, and skilled trades. In addition to matching job seekers with employers, the firm provides businesses with staffing solutions designed to help manage workforce fluctuations, recruit talent, and meet project demands. Job seekers are not charged a fee for placement services.

Current job opportunities highlighted by the Owensboro office include positions such as diesel mechanic, Class A CDL local driver, legal secretary, and CNC machine operator.

Express Employment Professionals is part of a larger international network that has connected millions of workers with employers across multiple industries.

Individuals interested in learning more about available positions or staffing services can search and apply online or contact the Owensboro office at 270-240-5511 or Jobs.OwensboroKY@ExpressPros.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.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

What started as a love for sports and recovery has grown into a full-time personal training business focused on sustainable health and individualized care.

DG Fit, owned and operated by Danny George, offers one-on-one personal training and remote coaching services for clients across a wide range of ages and fitness levels. George trains in person at the Owensboro Gymnastics and Fitness Center, located at 3239 Alvey Park Drive East, near KY 54 on the east side of town.

George has been training clients in Owensboro for about three years, with the bulk of his business growth occurring over the past two years. His clientele ranges from youth athletes working to improve speed, power, and vertical jump to middle-aged adults and senior citizens in their 60s and 70s focused on strength, mobility, and overall health.

“I work with the whole span of clientele,” George said. “Right now my roster is mostly middle-aged adults, but I’ve trained everyone from youth athletes to senior citizens.”

DG Fit operates as a personalized training service rather than a group gym model. Prospective clients typically find George through online searches, reviews, or word of mouth, then complete an application and questionnaire before meeting with him in person.

From there, George conducts a movement assessment and builds a customized program tailored to the client’s goals, schedule, and budget. Training frequency varies, with some clients meeting once a week and others two or three times per week.

“It’s very much personal training,” George said. “We sit down, have a conversation, make sure we’re clear on goals, and then build something individualized from the ground up.”

George’s path into fitness began with athletics. He grew up in Anderson, Indiana, one of six brothers, and played multiple sports throughout high school. A significant injury that sidelined him for more than a year became a turning point, as he rehabilitated himself and developed an interest in how the body heals and adapts.

“That’s what really drew me into the trainer side of things,” he said. “Not just how to make people sweat, but how to help people improve their health in a way that protects their joints and helps them feel good.”

He later earned a degree in exercise science with a minor in nutrition from the University of Southern Indiana, working with hundreds of youth and collegiate athletes along the way. After college, George coached CrossFit for several years before pivoting during the COVID-19 pandemic into remote training.

That shift led to the creation of DG Fit in April 2020. Today, George operates a two-part business, offering both in-person training in Owensboro and remote coaching through a mobile app that delivers customized workout programming.

George moved to Owensboro after marrying his wife, a local nurse, and said the community has played a key role in his business growth. He credits partnerships and relationships with local medical and wellness professionals, as well as support from small businesses, for helping establish trust and visibility.

“The Owensboro community has been really good to me,” he said. “The business relationships have been really cool.”

At the core of George’s approach is a focus on mindset and long-term change rather than extreme workouts or quick fixes. He said many clients arrive feeling discouraged or disconnected from their health, and his goal is to help shift that perspective.

“Seeing people’s mindset toward their health change is the most rewarding part,” George said. “By starting small and creating sustainable habits, people begin to see themselves in a more positive light, and that supports healthier choices.”

George also said his Christian faith plays a role in how he approaches his work.

“While I never force my faith on anyone, I’m also unapologetic about it. For me, faith isn’t something I separate from my work — it informs how I show up, how I listen, and how I care for the people I serve,” George said.

He said conversations with clients often go beyond workouts and nutrition.

“We talk about values, beliefs, and the things that truly matter in their lives, because lasting change rarely happens without that foundation,” he said. “I believe values shape identity, identity shapes beliefs, and beliefs ultimately drive action.”

George described his coaching style as a balance between intensity and flexibility, adjusting sessions based on how clients are feeling on a given day while still pushing them toward progress.

“It’s grace with perseverance,” he said.

Those interested in learning more about DG Fit can find the business by searching “DG Fit” or “personal trainer near me” in Owensboro, where George said his website and reviews are readily available.

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.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

Join us for our February Rooster Booster, sponsored by RiverValley Behavioral Health. The program will be held on Thursday, February 5 at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center.

The featured speakers will be Condrad Daniels, President of HJI Supply Chain Solutions and Chair of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. 

The cost to attend is $15.50 for Chamber Members with reservations, $20.50 for Members with no reservations and $25.50 for Future Chamber Members.

Register here or by calling the Chamber office at 270-926-1860 by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4!

By The Owensboro Times

The Owensboro Family YMCA has secured $6.6 million in federal funding to build a new child care facility in Owensboro, a project that leaders say will add space for approximately 150 children.

The funding was announced by U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill, which passed the U.S. Senate and is awaiting final approval from the president. The Owensboro project is part of more than $50 million in economic development funding secured statewide through the legislation. The local allocation is designated specifically for the construction of a new YMCA-operated child care center.

Tom Bontrager, CEO of the Owensboro Family YMCA, said the project began more than a year ago after the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce approached the YMCA about addressing child care shortages in the area.

“The chamber came to us and asked, ‘Would you like to write a new earmark for this child care center?’” Bontrager said. “Mayor Tom Watson, the City Commission, and the Chamber — including former Chamber President Candance Castlen Brake — were really supportive of it, so they went to McConnell’s office and got it put in the bill.”

Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson said, “Having access to childcare is a significant challenge facing working families and impacting business across the nation. This funding will directly change lives and support business, all at the same time.”

Bontrager said the funding is expected to cover construction costs, land acquisition and startup expenses, including furnishings and equipment required under state child care regulations.

A specific site has not yet been selected. Bontrager said the YMCA will meet with the City of Owensboro and Kentucky Wesleyan College, a longtime partner of the YMCA, to determine the best location.

Bontrager said no construction timeline has been finalized, noting that federal approvals and board action are still required. He said the next steps include completing required federal paperwork and setting a project timeline following an upcoming YMCA board meeting.

Also yet to be determined is the age group the new facility will serve, but Bontrager said families can expect the same services and level of care currently offered.

The new facility would add to the YMCA’s recent child care expansions. Over the past two years, the organization has increased capacity from about 70 children to more than 160 through renovations and a new building that is expected to open in the coming weeks. Once the new facility is completed, total YMCA child care capacity could exceed 300 children.

Bontrager said demand continues to exceed available slots. The YMCA had approximately 40 children on its waiting list at the start of the year, and previous expansions filled quickly without advertising.

“We didn’t do an ad. We didn’t market it. We literally spoke with [Owensboro Times for a story],” Bontrager said. “We are currently 40 kids sitting on the waitlist.”

Bontager said the continued growth would not be possible without community support, from individuals to foundations to political leaders.

“It’s been stunning to me, in a good way, that people saw a problem, and everybody came together to try to fix it,” he said. “There’s been so many hands on this. It’s just unbelievable where we are now.”

By Ryan Richardson The Owensboro Times

The Buckle is off and running in Owensboro, with store manager Dyann Duncan calling the reception “a true blessing” since opening day on Nov. 6.

“We’ve been very well-received,” Duncan said. “We’ve been told several times, ‘This is exactly what Owensboro needed.’”

Located off KY 54 in Gateway Commons, the fashion retailer offers clothing and accessories for men, women, and children — including a large kids’ section Duncan said she specifically requested before taking over the store.

“We go all the way down to 2T, and we have sizes for mature adults as well,” she said. “We can literally outfit the whole family.”

Originally from north of Kansas City, Duncan said she applied for the Owensboro store when it became available, competing against other managers for the opportunity.

“I was blessed with it,” she said. “The people and the community were very enticing. Owensboro is a growing town, and people were wanting stores like this.”

Founded in 1967 in Kearney, Nebraska, The Buckle has grown from a small-town denim shop to a national brand known as a “denim destination.” According to Duncan, the store offers everything from jeans and Western wear to Y2K styles and glitz for the holidays.

The store features Buckle’s in-house brands like BKE and Buckle Black, along with Rock Revival, Salvage, Hidden, Outpost, Levi’s, and Wrangler. Free alterations are offered in-house, with jeans available up to a 38-inch length.

“If you have a hard-to-find size, we can help,” Duncan said. “And if you want something shorter, we’ll sew them up and have them back to you in a few days.”

Courtney Thomason, a professional stylist at the Owensboro store, said guest service is a top priority — and that stylists aim to develop relationships with customers over time.

“We want to help people find something for their next concert, family photo, or big event,” Thomason said. “It’s not just a young person’s store. It’s for everybody.”

The store is split between men’s and women’s sections, with the back dedicated to children’s clothing. Popular denim fits are sorted by rise and leg style, and the store also features seasonal offerings like swimwear and thermals, accessories like hats and jewelry, and outerwear including Sherpa-lined jackets and denim staples.

Among the standout brands are the Peyton and Tyler lines, known for athletic and slimmer fits, and Buckle exclusives like Maven and Sterling & Stitch.

“We carry styles that are more Western, but also have tons of versatile everyday wear,” Thomason said. “Some of these are great for work, others for going out or just lounging.”

Duncan said her team is made up of local employees she personally selected, all trained as professional stylists.

“We try to call people by name and create an experience,” she said. “When you shop with us, we want it to feel personal.”

The Owensboro Buckle is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

“We’ll put you in a fitting room, get a sense of what you like, and maybe even help you discover something you didn’t expect to love,” she said.

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.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times