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🌱 Patch AM: What investigators say led to a deadly witness ambush on Trade Street

Coming up: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Lexington, KY on the Lexington Patch calendar

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Good morning Lexington! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What investigators say led to a deadly witness ambush on Trade Street
  • How two ex-gang members are fighting youth violence in Lexington
  • How will merging Fayette’s STEM academies reshape students’ options in Lexington?

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Lexington, KY.

Find out what's happening in Lexingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Lexingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Sunshine; windy, much colder, with a high of 36 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and breezy, temps: high: 58, low: 30.
  • Sunday: Sunshine and cooler, with a high of 44 and low of 24 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 8 alleged gang members federally indicted in the murder of a federal witness (lex18.com) — Federal prosecutors have indicted eight men in connection with the 2023 killing of a federal witness outside his workplace on Trade Street in Lexington. Investigators say the victim, a key witness in a drug and money‑laundering case, was ambushed by masked attackers and that text messages and ballistic evidence point to an alleged murder‑for‑hire conspiracy tied to a local gang.
   

2. 'There are gangs in Lexington': 2 former gang members share their past, changing the future (lex18.com) — Lexington police and two former gang members say gangs are active locally, but community work and law enforcement efforts aim to keep violence in check. The men now run Lexington-based nonprofits to steer youth away from drugs and gangs, stressing parental awareness and neighborhood unity. Officials urge residents to stay engaged so organized crime never outweighs citizens’ voices.
   

3. Fayette County board votes to merge STEM academies, seeks funding for stables program (wkyt.com) — Fayette County’s school board in Lexington has voted to place the RISE STEM Academy for Girls and the George Washington Carver STEM Academy for Boys in a shared building, while seeking new funding to keep the district’s stables program past 2027. Board members and parents are split over whether the combined facility should be temporary or permanent, citing concerns about equity, stability, and single-gender missions.
   

4. CASA volunteer Evelyn Mitchell is one of CASA of Lexington's longest-serving volunteers (wkyt.com) — A longtime CASA of Lexington volunteer is being recognized for nearly 12 years of advocating for abused and neglected children in local courts. Evelyn Mitchell explains how building trust with kids helps her speak directly to judges about their needs and wishes. Her story highlights the ongoing need for more CASA volunteers in the Lexington area.
   

5. Lexington's St. Paul AME Church recognized for Underground Railroad history (fox56news.com) — A historic Black church in downtown Lexington, St. Paul AME, has been officially added to the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, recognizing its role sheltering enslaved people seeking freedom. Church members spent years researching and documenting that hidden history, and they’re now inviting the community to help preserve the building and its stories for future generations through ongoing support and donations.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Romeo was LOST on December 17, 2025 in Lexington, KY 40508 near E Louden Ave and Maple Ave Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Meadows/Loudon)
  • Hey everyone, I just want to say thank you to everyone who’s reached out and been concerned about Romeo.
    We have had no luck on him yet, but we are hoping to change that. Here is a new flyer of him, please place them around your neighborhood no matter… (Nextdoor Martin Luther King)
  • The University of Kentucky posted a job opening for Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in Lexington. Apply here.
  • Meijer posted a job opening for Grocery Stocking Receiving in Lexington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lexington here.

Ok Lexington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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