Joel Hopper Day of Service set
The Joel Hopper Day of Service will be held April 24.
The event came from the work of a group of the most recent class of the Henderson Leadership Initiative. Group members are Rachel Trout, Ann Logan, Laken Duncan and Maddy Pressley.
The group has a Facebook page titled “Joel Hopper Day of Service” that includes links to sign up as an HLI Fellow or Community Supporter to participate in a breakfast and short program honoring Hopper at the Boys and Girls Club prior to being sent into the community to participate in acts of service across the Henderson community, Trout said in a message to the Hendersonian.
The event is free for volunteers and each participant receives a T-shirt and breakfast catered by Hometown Roots, as well as the opportunity to connect with other servant leaders, Trout said.
The group is seeking nonprofits, community organizations or businesses that could utilize volunteers for the day. Trout added that the group is also interested in finding nursing homes, assisted living facilities or schools that could benefit from having volunteers for the day.
Forms to sign up to volunteer or as a volunteering location can be found the Facebook page or here.
The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Boys and Girls Club. At 9 a.m., volunteers will be released to their assigned community project to volunteer for the day.
City and county grant cycles for nonprofits are open
Nonprofits can now apply for grants from the city of Henderson and Henderson County Government.
The online applications can be found on the United Way of Henderson’s website.
The United Way does not administer the funds, but has partnered with both the city and the county to streamline the process and support organizations that apply for funding, said a release from UW.
The application deadline is 5 p.m. Sunday, April 5. Late submissions will not be accepted, said the release.
UW said that an organization can apply for up to $15,000 from both the city and the county.
Additionally, UW said that if an organization is requesting city and county funds for two different programs or projects, it must submit two separate applications. In this case, the maximum request remains $15,000 per entity, not $30,000 per project, UW said.
To be eligible, applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serve Henderson and/or Henderson County residents and provide programs that benefit the community, UW said.
Funding cannot be used for religious programming or capital campaigns/purchases.
Eligible programs may include services supporting food access and meal programs, housing and homelessness services, domestic violence or trauma support services, youth programming and education, health and wellness initiatives, and economic mobility and job training programs, according to UW.
The grant application is not intended for event funding. Events and festivals must apply through the separate Event Grant Application, said UW.
Applications will be reviewed by the Allocations Review Team, which is a group of 12 community volunteers appointed by the city and county, and chaired by Jack Brewer. The review team may request interviews or site visits during the evaluation process.
Organizations will be notified of funding decisions by the city and county in June 2026, with county funds distributed the first week of July and city funds distributed July or August, unless otherwise specified, said UW.
To apply:
City/County Program Grant
https://www.uwofhc.org/CCG26
City/County Event Grant
https://www.uwofhc.org/CCEG26
RiverValley Behavioral Health Children’s Hospital Receives 2026 KHA Quality Award
RiverValley Behavioral Health Children’s Hospital has received the 2026 Kentucky Hospital Association Quality Award in the Psychiatric Hospitals category, marking the first time in the organization’s history it has earned this prestigious statewide recognition.
The KHA Quality Team selected RVBH for the creation and development of the BIRCH Program, recognizing both the innovation behind the program and the hospital’s strong commitment to quality, leadership, and excellence in psychiatric care, RVBH said in a release.
According to KHA reviewers, RVBH distinguished itself through measurable outcomes and a clear dedication to advancing behavioral health services across Kentucky, said RVBH.
“Receiving this recognition is an incredible honor and a moment of pride for our entire team,” said Katie Demko-Day, Administrator of RVBH Children’s Hospital, in a prepared statement. “Since opening The BIRCH in August 2024, we’ve seen youth who once faced repeated placement challenges successfully transition to less restrictive levels of care with greater stability and hope. This award affirms that when we work together with clarity and commitment, we can raise the standard of care and strengthen Kentucky’s behavioral health system for the youth who depend on it.”
The BIRCH Program is a specialized long-term treatment program for high-acuity youth, said RVBH. Developed in partnership with and funded by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the program is the first of its kind in Kentucky and serves male adolescents ages 12–17 who require six to nine months of intensive, trauma-informed treatment. BIRCH supports youth who have struggled in previous placements or experienced repeated crises by helping them build stability, confidence and hope for the future.
RVBH President and CEO Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta emphasized the broader significance of the recognition.
“This award represents the young people who have found healing, the families who have found renewed hope, and the dedicated professionals who make this work possible every day,” she said in the release. “It underscores RVBH’s leadership in advancing behavioral health care across Kentucky through strong infrastructure, meaningful collaboration, and a shared commitment to raising the standard of behavioral healthcare.”
RVBH Children’s Hospital will be formally recognized at the 2026 KHA Quality Conference at 3:45 ET on Monday, March 23 at the Louisville Marriott East.
For more information about RiverValley Behavioral Health and the BIRCH Program, visit rvbh.com.
Cops arrest 22-year-old after shots fired and brief chase
The Henderson Police Department on March 7 arrested a 22-year-old man following reports of gunfire and a short foot pursuit.
At approximately 1:20 a.m., officers responded to the area of Blue Ridge Drive after reports of gunshots and several individuals screaming were made, according to HPD.
Witnesses and area surveillance footage identified a white Dodge Charger fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed immediately following the discharge of a firearm, said HPD.
HPD has not received any reports of injuries or damage in the area.
HPD said officers later located the vehicle near Ky. 2084 and Clay Street. During the attempted traffic stop, the driver, identified as Adrian Posey, fled on foot. During the pursuit, Posey fell multiple times, resulting in a dislocated shoulder and various abrasions, HPD said.
Following a brief foot pursuit, Posey was taken into custody. HPD found he was carrying “a significant amount of cash.”
Additionally, officers observed an assault rifle located on the passenger seat, marijuana and drug paraphernalia and an open container of alcohol.
After receiving medical treatment at a local hospital for his injuries, Posey was transported to the Henderson County Detention Center, said HPD.
He was charged with first-degree fleeing or evading police, trafficking in marijuana (second offense), driving under the influence, second-degree disorderly conduct, and possession of an open container in a motor vehicle.
Additional charges, according to the Henderson County Detention Center website, are possession of a controlled substance (opiates), convicted felon in possession of a handgun, failure to maintain proper insurance and failure to wear seat belts.
Junior Achievement Hosts Second Miss Business Event in Union County
Junior Achievement of West Kentucky recently hosted its second 2026 Miss Business program with the Miss Business Henderson event, held at Camp Breckinridge.
The one-day experience welcomed nearly 100 eighth-grade students from Henderson, Union and Webster counties and connected them with 40 local “Leading Lady” mentors—professional women dedicated to encouraging the next generation of young women in business.
The Miss Business series opened with its first event in Owensboro that brought together 150 students and 50 mentors for a day of hands-on career exploration and leadership development.
Miss Business is a unique Junior Achievement program designed specifically for eighth-grade girls. Through interactive activities and mentorship, students build confidence, strengthen leadership skills and explore potential career paths while connecting with accomplished women from across the region.
According to Junior Achievement, students throughout the day participated in several breakout sessions designed to help them prepare for life beyond the classroom. Sessions included Financial Literacy, where students learned practical money-management skills; Career Cluster Interviews, offering mock interview experiences with professionals in various career fields; Portfolio Prep, focused on preparing resumes, portfolios and college applications; and XLP Exhibits, where students explored displays from local community partners, educational institutions, and industry representatives.
A highlight of the event was the opportunity for students to connect directly with their Leading Lady mentors, said Junior Achievement. These professional women volunteered their time to share personal stories about their career journeys, offer practical advice and encourage students to pursue ambitious goals.
Community partners included German American Bank, Pittsburg Tank and Tower, Audubon Metals, Walmart Morganfield, and many others, said Junior Achievement.
Junior Achievement said that community members interested in learning more about its programs or getting involved as a volunteer, mentor or supporter are encouraged to visit https://westky.ja.org/.
