Longtime Fire Chief Recognized With Top State Honor
Canada, KY · September 3, 2026
Catching the early quiet across the hollow is your best bet before the afternoon sun takes over. Pace yourself outside today and take full advantage of any porch shade you can find.
The Lead
Chief Rexel "Nee" Jackson II of the Belfry Volunteer Fire Department was named the 2026 Kentucky Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Fire Chiefs. For families up and down Blackberry Creek, Jackson's leadership has been a reassuring constant through decades of high-water emergencies and mountain highway rescues. Over his twenty-year tenure as chief, he led the department's expansion from a solitary post into four operational stations, cutting emergency response times for remote hollows and upgrading specialized flood extraction equipment. Jackson concurrently serves as the director of Pike County Emergency Management, coordinating disaster responses across county and state lines. Department officers emphasized that the statewide award reflects the dedication of every local volunteer firefighter who turns out at all hours. Neighbors can see the trophy on display at Station 1 along US Highway 119 during next month's community open house.
Local Pulse
Late City Engineer Honored at Breaks Park The interstate commission formally recognized Jack Sykes yesterday for his decades of regional engineering and park development.
County Health Department Expands Morning Clinic Hours The Belfry and Pikeville clinics now offer walk-in morning appointments for adult vaccinations and wellness exams.
Today's Outlook
- High 98°F · Low 74°F — Clear
- Stay hydrated and seek shade during peak afternoon hours under the intense valley sun.
What's On Around Town
Pikeville: Children's Story Time Pike County Public Library (126 Lee Ave), 11:00 AM–12:00 PM Morning read-alouds, songs, and simple crafts for young listeners.
Pikeville: Community Chess Club Pike County Public Library (126 Lee Ave), 4:00–5:00 PM Drop-in casual play and friendly matches for all experience levels.
Pikeville: Music Theory Lecture Pike County Public Library (126 Lee Ave), 5:00–6:00 PM Free beginner workshop exploring fundamental song structures and notation basics.
Spotlight & Story
- The Blackberry Grade School Site
- Decades before county consolidation funneled students to Belfry, this parcel along Little Blue Springs Road hummed with children memorizing times tables and shooting hoops on asphalt. Today, the grounds welcome feud historians visiting nearby McCoy sites, where quiet gravel replaces the ringing school bell.
Canada Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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