Madison County Public Pools Will Not Slide for 2020 Season
For many, the transition from Spring to Summer includes heading to the swimming pool in search of relief from the rising heat levels. Despite many public-facing facilities being slated to reopen this month, public pools statewide will not be welcoming their usual crowds for the 2020 season. Under the current Kentucky Department of Public Health’s […]
McConnell Announces $15 Million from CARES Act for Public Health and Safety
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced Sunday that Kentucky received $15,121,392 to respond to the public health and safety effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded nearly $8.3 million to strengthen testing, containment and treatment as well as to help Kentucky make progress […]
Kentucky Distillers and Kentucky Chamber Partner to Provide Businesses with Sanitizer Prior to Reopening
Following Governor Beshear’s planned outline for Phase 1 of reopening Kentucky’s economy on Wednesday, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association and Kentucky Chamber of Commerce have announced that they are partnering to help business make sure they have the hand sanitizer needed to protect Kentuckians as we reopen business. Over the last few weeks, members of the […]
Local Companies Lending a Hand During COVID-19 with Carhartt’s William Hardy
Here in the area, many companies are making sure their employees are taken care of during the pandemic. For example, Estill County’s own Carhartt’s branches, as well as those in Tennessee and Mexico have allowed all non-essential employees to work from home with pay, according to Senior Vice President William Hardy. Hardy also says that […]
Lane closure scheduled for I-75 project in Madison County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists that this advisory serves as an update for the Interstate 75/KY 627 interchange reconstruction project at Exit 95. Monday, March 23 – 12 p.m. (noon) until 3 p.m. Exit 95 at Interstate 75 – Southbound · a temporary lane closure will be in effect at milepoint 95 o the closure is necessary for placement […]
Scammers Now Targeting Victims with Government Relief Checks

Following the announcement of a federal stimulus package earlier this week, scammers are now using this to target vulnerable individuals. The Better Business Bureau says it has already received reports on the BBB Scam Tracker about government imposters calling in reference to the relief checks. The BBB is reporting that the scam involves the victim […]
Kentucky State Parks to Remain Open to Public, Precautionary Measures Put in Place
In an abundance of caution and in setting the example for social distancing in managing COVID-19, Kentucky State Parks have implemented the following precautionary measures to help ensure the health and well-being of all parks visitors and staff: Food services are limited to carry out only. No food will be served in restaurant dining rooms. […]
Uncertainty Amid Store Closures Brings New Customers to Richmond Gun Shop
We’ve all seen the jokes online about everyone buying excessive amounts of items like toilet paper and steaks. But, another market that seems to have seen a recent surplus of customers are firearms retailers. While some sporting goods stores have claimed that fears over COVID-19 have played a large part in this, a few retailers […]
Madison County Government Agencies Temporarily Suspending Walk-In Services
In response to the recent COVID-19 outbreak as well as the request by President Donald Trump and Governor Andy Beshear to limit person to person interaction, the Madison County Government, Madison County Attorney, Madison County Clerk, Madison County Sheriff, Madison County PVA, Madison County Coroner, Madison County Jailer, and Madison County Circuit Court Clerk issued […]
Appalachian Wireless Pledges to “Keep Americans Connected”
Many companies have had to make adjustments to their business model in the wake of the widespread threat of COVID-19. An Eastern Kentucky wireless network provider, Appalachian Wireless, is joining that list as they have altered their hours of operation and adopted a temporary policy that will help its customers stay in touch during the […]
Richmond Chamber of Commerce Gives Options for Consumers Amid Business Closures
Despite a commonwealth-wide closure of restaurants and bars, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce is still committed to keeping local businesses booming. Wbontv spoke to Director Mendi Goble, who explained that although sitting down in a restaurant is not an option at the moment, consumers can still support local businesses by participating in curbside pickup, carry […]
BBB Creates Site for Coronavirus Scam Awareness
The Better Business Bureau has asked for help in keeping citizens informed by sharing a microsite the BBB has developed with topics pertaining to the Coronavirus pandemic: www.bbb.org/coronavirus The BBB says that they will continue to work to keep the public safe from scammers who may take advantage of this crisis in various ways.
Starting A New Tradition: The Millstone Festival
Millstone Park is a new landmark here in Richmond and brought a fresh spin to the life of downtown the festival will be on Saturday, October 3rd, 2020. Wbontv visited City Hall to speak with Community Development Coordinator Tyler Johnson who let us in on all the details pertaining to this future festival. Starting off […]
Madison County Now Accepting Bids for Sale of Property
The Madison County Fiscal Court announced today that it is requesting bids for purchase of property in Batch 1 of properties located at Parcel 8-976 Battlefield Memorial Highway, Parcel 9 (Lot 2) on Battlefield Memorial Highway, Parcel 10 (Lot 3) on General Cruft Drive in Battlefield Estates, and Parcel 11 (Lot E-1) on US 25-Berea […]
2019 Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Top 10 Riskiest Scams: Cryptocurrency
Two years ago, cryptocurrency scams were just emerging as a problem on BBB Scam Tracker, mostly a subset of investment scams. The Better Business Bureau added cryptocurrency as a scam category in 2019 and it leapt to the second riskiest scam, according to the latest BBB report, New Risks and Emerging Technologies: 2019 BBB Scam […]
Wings Etc. Suddenly Closes Down in Berea, Fails to Notify Employees
Employees are now left “winging it” after a surprising piece of paper was left on the front door of the establishment Wings Etc in Berea. According to employees, the sign read “Wings Etc. Is No Longer Open” and was the only notification the employees received of their workplace closing down. With this shocking news sneaking […]
Martin named Baptist Health Richmond Foundation Director
RICHMOND, Ky. (February 4, 2020) – Kari Lyons Martin has been named Foundation Director at Baptist Health Richmond. She replaces Jeri Allison who retired in December. Martin has been an integral member of the community since she began her career at Eastern Kentucky University in 2000. During her tenure at EKU, Martin was responsible for […]
Murder Mystery and Line Dancing at Chenault Vineyards
Chenault Vineyards is under seasonal hours as of now, but they are still hosting private events that might catch your eye. This Saturday you can join the Vineyard for their first ever community dance and dinner. Featuring a buffet and line dancing, the restaurant is also allowing people to have a glass of their house […]
Game Over: Richmond Restaurant & Cafe Closes its Doors
This past month saw the closure of one of Richmond’s most well-known local restaurants. According to a social media post on their page, Meeples Restaurant & Cafe ceased operation as a dine-in location on December 13th. This comes after six years of operation at their West Main Street location. The casual eatery not only offered […]
Kentucky Organization Hopes to Prevent Drunk Driving Accidents by Offering Free Rides
The holiday season sees many get-togethers, some of which may involve the consumption of alcohol. With New Year’s Eve quickly approaching, it’s important to have a plan set up for getting back home after a long night out. It’s best to have a designated driver provide transportation, but if you don’t have anyone to help […]
Interview with O’Reilly’s Worker Concerning Berea Community School Lockdown
Berea Community schools went on a short lockdown for around ten minutes today, following a threat. Sources state that a man entered O’Reilly’s auto parts on Clay Drive in Berea this morning, allegedly stating God sent him from Ohio to shoot up a school in Stanton. Team members from the Berea store #1190 contacted Berea […]
Berea Mayor Talks New Pavilion Project
The Berea Farmer’s Market has never had a permanent home, but that could be set to change according to Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley. He says that the city of Berea is in the final stages of receiving funding in order to dedicate a space for a new pavilion in town. Fraley says that the pavilion […]
BBB Study Shows Fraud Prevalent with Rental, Vacation Homes
From a press release from the Better Business Bureau: An in-depth investigative study by Better Business Bureau finds that fraud is widespread in the online rental home and vacation rental market, with 43% of online shoppers encountering a fake listing and more than 5 million consumers losing money to such scams. The investigative study […]
Richmond Farm Not Selling Christmas Trees This Holiday Season

In Madison County, going to Baldwin Farms and picking that perfect tree has been a tradition for many families in the area. But, now for the first time in 30 years, Baldwin Farm will not be open this holiday season. Owner Margery Baldwin says the unusually dry weather is to blame. She says the long, […]
Local Businesses Compete with Black Friday with Shop Small Saturday
The deals aren’t stopping after Black Friday, and it’s all thanks to local businesses here in Richmond who have partnered up to bring you more savings and giveaways this Small Business Saturday. Wbontv’s Samantha Burford went down to some of these local shops and interviewed the owners who give us insight on the kind of […]