Laker Marching Band Opens 2026 Season at Mark Twain Exhibition

Sunday, August 30 by WJRS Staff

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, the Russell County Laker Marching Band took the field at the 49th Annual Mark Twain Pre-Season Marching Band Exhibition, marking the beginning of the 2026 marching season. This year’s production is titled “When […]

Mark Dunbar, 63, of Russell Springs

Monday, August 24 by WJRS Staff

Mark Dunbar, of Russell Springs, passed away Monday, August 17, 2026, at UK Bluegrass Hospice Care Center in Lexington. He was 63 years of age. Born August 21, 1962, in Somerset, he was a son […]

Veteran sportscaster Kenny Rice, a Kentucky native, understands how important this season is for coach Mark Pope | Laker Country 104.9 FM WJRS

Wednesday, May 20 by Zac Oakes

by LARRY VAUGHT Kenny Rice, 69, is probably best known for his horse race reporting, including the Kentucky Derby, with NBC and MMA coverage for HDNet. The eastern Kentucky native also has been sports director for WTVQ-TV in Lexington and was a national stringer... Read More.

Mark Wooten, age 67 of Russell Springs

Thursday, May 14 by Sean Hammond

Mark Wooten, age 67 of Russell Springs, died on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at his home. He was born on December 10, 1958, the son of the late Norman Eugene “Yogie” and Louise Miller Wooten. […]

Father ecstatic to have two sons playing for Mark Pope | Laker Country 104.9 FM WJRS

Monday, April 27 by Zac Oakes

By LARRY VAUGHT Walter Hawthorne knew his oldest son, Braydon Hawthorne, was getting stronger and better during his redshirt season at Kentucky. He did not attend any practices but got reports from his son and others to let him know progress was being made.... Read More.

Kenny Walker on Mark Pope, UK recruiting, current players | Laker Country 104.9 FM WJRS

Monday, March 2 by Zac Oakes

By LARRY VAUGHT Kenny Walker was a McDonald’s All-American in Roberta, Ga., in 1982 who played his college basketball at Kentucky for coach Joe Hall. He became an All-American who scored 2,080 points — only Dan Issel had more with 2,138 — and was... Read More.

Mark William Burton, age 53, of Russell Springs

Monday, February 23 by Zac Oakes

Mark William Burton, of Russell Springs, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Centennial Medical Center, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 53 years of age. Mark was born in Somerset, on September 15, 1972, […]

Mark A. Wright, 61, of Russell Springs

Wednesday, January 28 by Sean Hammond

Mark A. Wright, 61, of Russell Springs, passed away Sunday, January 25th, at Baptist Health Hospital, Lexington, KY. Mark was born in Columbia, KY on May 26, 1964, a son of the late JoAnn (Bunch) […]

Coach Mark Pope believes that Mo Dioubate’s physical toughness is a “priceless gift | Laker Country 104.9 FM WJRS

Tuesday, January 20 by Zac Oakes

by LARRY VAUGHT Every time Kentucky’s season has seemed on the brink of collapse the Wildcats have found a way to resurrect hopes for a successful season. In a three-game span, UK overcame first-half deficits of 12 points to Mississippi State, 16 to LSU... Read More.

Mark Pope understands his team has not performed up to expectations this year but a rival coach says he does not have a roster built to fit his style of play | Laker Country 104.9 FM WJRS

Friday, January 16 by Zac Oakes

by LARRY VAUGHT Mark Pope played at Kentucky on a national championship team and knew plenty about the spotlight on Kentucky basketball — or at least thought he did. However, his team’s struggles this year have created a lot of speculation from Big Blue... Read More.

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Stories tagged with: mark

Laker Marching Band Opens 2026 Season at Mark Twain Exhibition

Mark Dunbar, 63, of Russell Springs

Veteran sportscaster Kenny Rice, a Kentucky native, understands how important this season is for coach Mark Pope | Laker Country 104.9 FM WJRS

Mark Wooten, age 67 of Russell Springs

Father ecstatic to have two sons playing for Mark Pope | Laker Country 104.9 FM WJRS

Kenny Walker on Mark Pope, UK recruiting, current players | Laker Country 104.9 FM WJRS

Mark William Burton, age 53, of Russell Springs

Mark A. Wright, 61, of Russell Springs

Coach Mark Pope believes that Mo Dioubate’s physical toughness is a “priceless gift | Laker Country 104.9 FM WJRS

Mark Pope understands his team has not performed up to expectations this year but a rival coach says he does not have a roster built to fit his style of play | Laker Country 104.9 FM WJRS

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Obituaries

Jeffrey L. Scholl, 61, of Indianapolis

Robert Leach, 70, of Russell Springs

Ronald Eugene Sterner, Sr., 77, of Russell Springs

Ronald L. Wesley, 95, of Jamestown