Popular YouTube personality visits Madison County
YouTube star Ryan Trahan, who has amassed over twenty million subscribers, is currently on a journey across America—visiting all 50 states in 50 days. In each state, he spends one night in a unique Airbnb, ranging from a cozy treehouse to a decommissioned missile silo. His ambitious trip isn’t just for adventure—it’s to raise awareness […]
Fairness of 911 fee structure questioned as county grapples with correcting square-footage, zoning issues
By guest columnist Kelly McKinney – Richmond in Depth Since letters about the 911 fee that will for the first time be added to property tax bills began hitting their mailboxes in June, Madison Countians have raised concerns. Some of those have involved errors in the data used to calculate the fees. Others have been […]
Family of Lexington child who died in suspected drowning incident at Richmond pool start GoFundMe to cover expenses
The family of a Lexington child who died in an apparent drowning incident on Monday has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses. 7-year-old Santino Montreal Yancey-Hardwick was found unresponsive at the Paradise Cove Aquatic Center in Richmond. Officials of the City of Richmond say lifeguards began administering life-saving measures on the child, […]
Fishing Creek at Lake Cumberland reopens
Fishing Creek Campground at Lake Cumberland reopened June 30, 2025, and is now available for first-come, first-served camping through the remainder of the 2025 recreation season. “I am extremely proud of the tremendous work performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees and contractors who collaborated on the first phase of campground repairs,” said […]
Child found unresponsive at Richmond water park identified
The identity of the 7-year-old child, who apparently drowned while at Paradise Cove at Gibson Bay Monday, has now been officially confirmed. The child has been identified as Santino Montreal Yancey-Hardwick, age 7, of Lexington, KY. The City of Richmond, in a follow up today, says the Richmond Police Department continues to actively collaborate with […]
Minor found unresponsive at Richmond’s Paradise Cove Monday
A tragedy today at the Paradise Cove Water Park located at Gibson Bay Park in Richmond, where a child has confirmed to have been found unresponsive in the water park this afternoon. The City of Richmond’s Public Information office issued a statement this afternoon confirming an incident involving a minor. The city also said they […]
KSP investigating missing person case *UPDATE:FOUND
Billy Ray Pennington has been located and is safe. Golden Alert has been canceled. Original story: Kentucky State Police, Post 11, London, is actively investigating a missing person investigation in Whitley County. A Golden Alert has been issued for Billy Ray Pennington, 37 years old, of London, Ky. Mr. Pennington was last seen at approximately […]
Black bear sightings aplenty, this afternoon at Boonesborough
Black bear sightings have been plentiful this June in Central Kentucky. Residents of several counties have taken to Facebook to post pictures and details surrounding their encounters. Amanda Fite, who lives on the Clark County side of Boonesborough Road, told WBON that she thinks the black bear in the feature picture may have been watching […]
EKU to transition sports to United Athletic Conference
Pending approval by the Board of Regents, Eastern Kentucky University Athletics plans to transition to the newly-expanded United Athletic Conference (UAC) as a full all-sports member beginning in 2026-27, Vice President and Director of Athletics Kyle Moats announced on Thursday. Effective July 1, 2026, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) will rebrand as the UAC and join the […]
Madison Central Basketball Coach’s 12th year selling 4th of July fireworks
Coach Allen Feldhaus and the Madison Central Indians are known to bring the heat on the court, but they also bring the boom for the Fourth of July. It’s Feldhaus’ 12th year selling fireworks to help fund the team, and there’s no shortage of patriotic pyro at his tent.
KSP assist Lexington Police in vehicle pursuit into Madison County stemming from shooting incident
Lexington Police pursued a vehicle into Madison County this afternoon. The vehicle was observed at the scene of a shots fired incident earlier in Lexington around Kirklevington Park. A large police presence descended on the area of Clay Lane and Lexington Road as officials believed the driver may have been a victim or the suspect […]
Kentucky State Police investigate escaped inmate in Madison County
The Kentucky State Police, Richmond Post, is searching for an inmate who walked away from the Bluegrass Career and Development Center just before 6:45 Sunday night, June 22nd in Madison County. Jarod R. Barnes, 28 years of age, from Elizabethtown, is described as a black male, 5’9″ tall, weighing 206 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. […]
Plans for new development in Carriage Gate Shopping Center raises concerns among Planning and Zoning Commission
During their most recent regular called meeting, the City of Richmond Planning and Zoning Commission discussed a couple of topics including regulations for area subdivisions and overnight shelters. Another item on the agenda was the discussion of a proposed Chipotle to be developed in the Carriage Gate Shopping Center, near 859 Eastern Bypass. The proposal […]
New Longhorn’s to build in former O’Charley’s location in Richmond
Demolition has begun on the former O’Charley’s property in Richmond to make way for a new Longhorn’s Steakhouse. That according to City Manager Rob Minerich. The property is on the corner of Boggs Lane and the Eastern Bypass. The location has been dormant since the former restaurant closed its doors in August of 2023. The […]
High-speed police pursuit ends near Lexington Road
A high-speed pursuit has ended this afternoon and a large police presence is reported now in the area of Clay Lane and Lexington Road. Eyewitnesses tell WBON-TV they heard gunfire at the scene. This is an active scene at this time and we are working to bring you more information.
Welfare check by officials in Lee County leads to discovery of two deceased
This afternoon around 4:30, Kentucky State Police, Richmond Post 7, was notified by Lee County Sheriff Joe Lucas that he located two deceased people while conducting a welfare check at a residence on Sally Davis Road in Lee County. The preliminary investigation indicates that the incident involved Bearl D. Ashcraft Jr., 48, of Beattyville, and […]
Madison Co. Emergency Communications offer new way to contact with “Texty” program
Since the 1960s, American residents who are in need of emergency assistance, whether it be police, fire, or medical, have been able to call 911 to get in contact with the nearest dispatch agency. However, technology has advanced in the decades since the beginning of 911 calls, offering more options in reaching emergency officials. On […]
WBON columnist David Shew begins new local series, On the Road with “Shewbop”
By R. David Shew Decided to begin a new column for WBON-TV and call it “On the Road with Shewbop.” Hopefully, Kelly gives me the thumbs up to continue. Monday, I introduced a young friend to a local attorney who was having a problem with his landlord. We will see how that goes. For dinner, […]
Two dead, one injured in Sunday single vehicle accident
A single-vehicle fatal collision that occurred in Franklin County earlier today, at around 12:30 PM EDT (Sunday, June 15) is being investigated by the Kentucky State Police Post 12 in Frankfort. The preliminary investigation indicates that a Ford van was traveling west on East Main Street when it struck a telephone pole at the intersection […]
Richmond history celebrated at Armory Park site
Today, a modern park stands at 321 North Second Street in Richmond. However, this site has a long and storied history that has now been commemorated in the form of a historical marker. On Tuesday morning, city officials recounted the historical significance of the site before unveiling the new marker. In 1798, the site was […]
Madison County Coroner dispatched to Burnt Ridge
A large police presence is reported tonight in the area of the 2700 block of Burnt Ridge Road. WBON-TV9 has learned the Madison County Coroner’s office has also responded to the scene. The active scene is near where Madison, Rockcastle and Jackson County’s join. We are following developments and working on further details.
City of Richmond, community partners to celebrate 30 years of Special Olympics Summer Games at EKU
It is expected that approximately 1,400 athletes from across the Commonwealth will be displaying their athleticism at the 2025 Special Olympics Kentucky State Summer Games this weekend. Special Olympics athletes will have the opportunity to take home the gold in four sports including gymnastics and track & field. This will mark the 30th anniversary of […]
KSP: London man involved in fatal moped wreck
A London man has died following a fatal two-vehicle collision that happened Wednesday afternoon. At approximately 1:00 PM, Kentucky State Police Post 11 London responded to a report of the collision near 900 North Laurel Road in Laurel County. Investigators say a moped and its operator, 74-year-old Ronald Begley, was lying injured in the roadway. […]
Commemorative Boone’s Trace Hike Stops in Richmond
250 years ago, Daniel Boone alongside over thirty fellow trailblazers, cleared a path through hundreds of miles of Appalachian forests, creating a trail that future pioneers would use as they traveled through Kentucky and beyond. The Boone Trace trail as it’s referred to today, began near Kingsport, Tennessee where trailblazers used existing paths developed by […]
Country chart-toppers Diamond Rio to headline at The Vine Concert Series
Fans of 90s country music will have a memorable way to kick off their weekend when country music supergroup Diamond Rio takes the stage at the Vine at Chenault Vineyards. First signing with a major record label in 1991, it didn’t take long for Diamond Rio to make their mark. In February of that year, […]
