Edmonson Voice Report:
The Bank of Edmonson County main branch on Main Street in Brownsville has announced that their ATM machine has been relocated.

The ATM is no longer in the third drive through lane but has been moved into the first drive through lane before the first teller window.

The unit is now connected to the building and not freestanding in a lane.

Darren Doyle, story:
Local VFW Post 6937 is looking to upgrade the vintage rifles used in burial honors with a more user-friendly version. Last week, Post members voted to upgrade their WWII bolt action rifles, which they say are getting more difficult for their older members to operate. 

"Unlike the Army, our Post doesn’t have a federal budget so we have decided to get the ball rolling with a raffle of one of our best 03-A3 rifles through C & C Firearms of Brownsville," the Post said in a press release.

Raffle tickets are $10 each and expected to go on sale beginning Tuesday, 29 July 2025.  The drawing will take place on Veterans Day.  This is your chance to own a piece of WWII and county history while helping the Post acquire newly built military style semiautomatic rifles (M1A).

"Here in Edmonson County, VFW Post 6937 is most visible to the community in providing burial honors for veterans (for which we have been using these rifles for the last ten years), conducting flag training, patriotic speaking and writing contests in the schools, as well as providing honors at significant community events, such as the Memorial Day ceremony in the Courthouse square," the Post stated. "This year, for the first time, we cleaned neglected veteran graves in the Mammoth Cave National Park.  Our Post meets on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Edmonson County Library.  If you are an Honorably discharged veteran with a campaign medal from any overseas conflict, please join us."

 
LOUISVILLE, KY. (July 24, 2025) – Addison Miller of Edmonson County recently returned home from Kentucky Farm Bureau’s (KFB) Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders (IFAL). A total of 83 high school students from around the state attended the five-day summer leadership conference.

Two identical IFAL conferences were held this summer at Murray State University (MSU) from June 15-19 and at University of Kentucky (UK) from June 22-26, respectively. Forty-one students attended the conference at MSU, while 42 students attended the conference at UK, including Miller.
 
IFAL is designed to expose high school students to college life while helping them explore the different fields of study for careers in agriculture. During the week, attendees participated in learning and leadership opportunities that allowed them to gain a better understanding of the agriculture industry, including needs and challenges, how basic and applied science is utilized in agriculture and farming, and how the political process is leveraged to develop agricultural policy.

Edmonson Voice Report: Photos: Christopher Sean Charlton:
Three year-old local resident Reilynn Porter was recently crowned National Wee Miss U.S. AmeriFest 2025 in her division in Cherokee, North Carolina.

She competed nationally with 40 other contestants while also earning the Wee Miss Supermodel title, thanks to the highest scores in her optional competitions. Her pageant included runway wear, casual wear, state wear, and evening gown.

Among her many honors, Reilynn was featured as the Cover Model in the official national program book and brought home the following collection of awards:

• Best Runway
• Best Casual Wear
• Best Festival Wear
• Best Dressed

For the festival wear competition, Reilynn proudly represented her state as its official insect—the honey bee—creating a fun and memorable moment on stage, and also representing a piece of her home, Bee Spring.

"This was Reilynn’s final time competing in the 0–3 age division, and she truly went out with a bang," said her aunt Makenzie Stamey. "Her family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone in the community who supported her on this journey. Your encouragement and kindness helped make this dream a reality!"

"We are so proud of Reilynn’s hard work, grace, and joyful spirit. The future is bright for our new national queen!"

Reilynn will be available for appearances and any community involvement. You can contact Makenzie Stamey via email at
[email protected] or phone: 864-626-8328.

South Central Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (SCRTC) is proud to commemorate its 75th anniversary with a community-wide celebration on Friday, July 25, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The event will take place on the front lawn of SCRTC headquarters, located at 1399 Happy Valley Road in Glasgow.

This special occasion will serve as both a milestone celebration and a gesture of appreciation to the members and communities that have supported SCRTC throughout the decades. The event is free to attend and open to the public.
Guests will enjoy a variety of activities and refreshments throughout the day. Children can explore a bounce house and obstacle course, while visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to get an up-close look at the technology and equipment used in the telecommunications industry during the “Touch-a-Truck” exhibit. Commemorative T-shirts will also be given away while supplies last.

The community is invited to a complimentary food truck lunch area to celebrate. Free Pelican’s SnoBalls will be available for everyone in attendance, along with a free lunch offering a choice between a BBQ sandwich or 2 tacos, with one meal ticket provided per person. Full food truck menus from Double D’s BBQ and Layo Tacos will also be available. Visit the SCRTC tent on the lawn for food tickets and birthday bash details.  

“We’re honored to celebrate 75 years of serving south-central Kentucky,” said SCRTC General Manager Jeff Eaton. “This event is our way of saying thank you to the community that has supported us through every advancement, challenge, and opportunity. We hope to see our members, neighbors, and friends join us for a fun and meaningful day.”

SCRTC has been a cornerstone of connectivity for its 11-county service area since its founding, and this anniversary celebration highlights the cooperative’s ongoing commitment to service, innovation, and community values.

MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky. – Mammoth Cave National Park invites you to experience the Perseids meteor shower at an evening Star Party on Friday, July 18 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Park rangers and volunteers will present an evening program about the night sky, provide telescopes to view deep sky objects, and distribute Junior Ranger Night Explorer books while watching meteors stream overhead.

The night sky events begin at the outdoor amphitheater near the Camp Store with an evening program that discusses the importance of the night sky environment to plants, animals, and humans. As the sun sets and the stars begin to emerge, the group will move to the bus loop of the visitor center where several telescopes will be set up for night sky viewing. Park rangers and volunteers from Western Kentucky University's Hilltopper Astronomy Club will be on hand to answer questions and help identify celestial objects.

Event participants may wish to bring blankets or chairs to sit on for a more comfortable viewing experience. Local astronomers are also welcome to bring their own telescopes and set them up in the bus loop. All activities are weather dependent and may be cancelled in the event of hazardous weather.

The annual Perseids meteor shower lights up night skies with a dazzling display of “shooting stars." Past Perseids meteor displays have seen up to 100 meteors visible per hour in dark locations. Mammoth Cave National Park offers prime night sky viewing opportunities and was recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as an International Dark Sky Park in 2021. This certification showcases the park as, “land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment.”

Visit MCNP website for more information about Stargazing opportunities in Mammoth Cave National Park. For questions about the Star Party, please e-mail here  or call 270-758-2180.

Edmonson Voice Report:
VFW National Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri notified Edmonson County’s own VFW Post 6937 Commander Edwin Vincent earlier today that our Post had been selected for their highest honor – designation as an All-American Post. Last month the VFW Department of Kentucky designated the Post as All-State, an honor shared by only a few other Kentucky Posts. Post Commander Vincent will be recognized with this award at the National VFW Convention in Columbus, Ohio later this month. This is the 7 th time our small Post has been awarded All American and this is the 5th year in a row.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars was established after veterans of the 1898 War with Spain returned to the United States bearing wounds and illnesses (primarily Yellow Fever), as well as the burden of taking care of the widows and orphans of their wartime comrades for which the nation at that time had absolutely no safety net. They initially organized locally, but by 1915 they became a nationwide organization which helped establish a fledgling VA by the time the Doughboys returned from WWI. Before WWII was concluded, they helped establish the GI Bill and they have been in the forefront of national legislative, as well as practical local efforts to help veterans ever since.


The VFW said in a statement that "here in Edmonson County, VFW Post 6937 is most visible to the community in providing burial honors for veterans, conducting flag training, patriotic speaking and writing contests in the schools, as well as providing honors at significant community events, such as the Memorial Day ceremony in the Courthouse square. This year, for the first time, they cleaned neglected veteran graves in the Mammoth Cave National Park. Our Post meets on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Edmonson County Library. If you are an Honorably discharged veteran with a campaign medal from any overseas conflict, please join us."

The following article first appeared in Texas A&M Agrilife Today, and was written by Mamie Hertel. Used with permission.

Stacy Vincent, Ph.D., formerly of Brownsville, has been appointed head of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, effective Aug. 1.

Vincent brings a broad range of experience in agricultural education, academic leadership and student-focused teaching. He joins Texas A&M University from the University of Kentucky, where he served as professor of agricultural education and director of undergraduate studies in Agricultural Education and Advocacy.

“The faculty and staff in this department are exceptional, and Dr. Vincent will help take what we already know is fantastic and make sure the rest of the world knows it too,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences. 

Raised on a hay, tobacco and beef farm in the foothills of Appalachia, Kentucky, Vincent’s passion for agricultural education began early. He taught high school agriculture for seven years and has earned national recognition for his teaching and research. 

He was named the 2021 Outstanding Teacher Educator for the Southern Region by the American Association for Agricultural Education and was recognized for the best research manuscript at the organization’s national conference.

Vincent said the decision to leave his home, farm and university in Kentucky was not easy, but the opportunity at Texas A&M was unlike any other.

“I’ve been looking for a leadership opportunity where I could move the needle,” he said. “But when I looked at this department and Texas A&M University, I knew this wasn’t just a place to move the needle. This is where the needle is.”

He plans to grow the department’s presence as a leader in preparing students for meaningful careers and service, emphasizing a people-first approach in everything the department does.

“This department has the potential to be a one-stop shop for lifelong development,” he said. “From early education programs to mid-career leadership development, we can support Texans throughout their journey.”

He believes the department’s core disciplines: youth development, leadership, education, communications and extension, naturally work together to amplify impact.

“They all blend together perfectly,” Vincent said. “We prepare students to understand agriculture, but also to lead, teach and communicate it in ways that serve people and strengthen communities.”

Vincent said his top priority is building strong relationships with faculty and staff. In his first few months, he plans to meet with each faculty member to understand their goals and how he can help them succeed.

“I’ll be asking them six questions, including what legacy they want to leave,” he said. “My job is to help them find the tools and opportunities to make that happen.”

Creating a supportive, high-energy culture is also central to his leadership style.

“When people are having fun, they’re more productive,” he said. “We can be professional, focused and excellent, and still enjoy the work along the way.”

Vincent said he stays in touch with his former graduate students and values the personal and professional connections built through teaching and mentoring.

“When I told my former students in a group text that I had accepted this position, I said that I feel like a turtle on a fence post. I don’t know how I got here, but I know I didn’t do it by myself,” he said.

Vincent’s long-term goals include growing external partnerships, developing new academic programs and building a strong funding base for faculty and student support. He also plans to raise the department’s national visibility.

“When top programs from across the country are in the room, I want Texas A&M and this department to stand out as a leader,” he said. “We have the talent, the mission and the momentum to be recognized at the highest level.”

The department was officially established in 2006, but its roots date back more than a century through programs in agricultural science, communications and teacher education. Today, it is one of the largest departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, with more than 1,200 students and a faculty of 40.

“This department has the people, the mission and the reach to lead,” Vincent said. “It’s a privilege to be part of its next chapter.”

Editor's Note: Dr. Vincent is a 1995 graduate of Edmonson County High School and the son of Royce and the late Dot Vincent of Brownsville. Special thanks to Texas A&M for the use of this article.

The Edmonson Voice office will be closed Friday, July 4th through Friday, July 11th for an extended Independence Day holiday. 

We will be available for any breaking news updates that affect our readers as well as current obituaries, but we will have limited reach on email and won't return phone calls until Monday, July 14th. 

If you need to reach us, please send an email or Facebook message and we will get back with you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support and we wish everyone a very happy and safe Independence Day!