Paducah | McCracken County

Joe major Nick Beeney prefers growth to coasting through his senior year at Paducah Tilghman High School.

Ryan Riley, 25, learns to accept himself and meets the girl of his dreams.

Challenges for a pair of premature babies binds a family closer together.

Butterfly enthusiast Bill Black Jr. doesn’t let cancer keep him from collecting little pieces of hope.

Dixie Lynn, mother of two young children and wife of a traveling musician, says she finds her identity and role within her family fulfilling.

Andrew Neal sacrifices time with his family to keep their unique grocery delivery business afloat.

Big Mike’s Barbershop serves as a hub for Paducah’s black community.

Distiller Jay Rogers overcomes injuries and the loss of a friend after a moonshine still explosion.

Vaysa Burton is a 55-year-old transgender woman and recovering alcohol and drug addict living in Paducah. She is isolated from others and those like her.

When a friend asked Diane Thompson to stitch a quilt, she knew she had sewn up her spot at the table.

Robert Worden is one of Paducah’s red-coated ambassadors who greet and assist dignitaries and others who visit the city.

Allen Dossey’s competitive nature led him to cultivate a major winery in bourbon country.

A car crash left Josh Heine in a wheelchair, but he refuses to be limited by his disabilities.

Janice Peterson was searching for appreciation and found it in a place she didn’t expect.

Sister Lucy Bonifas, 78, has dedicated her life to serving God and her community. Retired from Lourdes Hospital, she still comforts those in need.

After her husband died, Martha Kallaher started playing bridge, found Jim and new meaning in life.

Nina Brown is a candidate for homecoming queen at Paducah Tilghman High School, but winning or losing doesn’t define who she is.

Shanetha Donaldson always knew she’d open her home to kids facing the struggles she had growing up.

Horse enthusiast Sandy Lipford passes her knowledge of horses on to the next generation.

After a hard life, Dennis Lawrence founded Free Spirit Biker Church where people like him feel welcome.

A devoted mother and professional artist, Lily Liu makes space for everything that matters to her.

A fourth generation is ready to continue the lifelong jam session at Allen Music.

For Laney Yancey, a junior at McCracken County High School, performing in theatre is therapeutic.

Two artists nurture creativity in their daughter so she learns what it is to be nice.

Martha Bell woke up in the night 27 years ago and decided she wanted to help people in Paducah. That was the beginning of Martha’s Vineyard, a food pantry.

Tonya Loyd’s loyalty to the family shop keeps customers coming back for more than doughnuts.

The Medley family bought a 61-acre farm with wild turkey and deer, ponds and woods. It’s the perfect place to raise two teen-age boys.

Billie Preston is trying to prove to herself and to others that she is ready to raise her two young children.

For Paducah Tilghman football coach Kurt Barber, coaching football is about more than the game.

After 20 years nurturing preschoolers, Ginny Hutson risks chance and dives into lifelong interest.

After losing her leg in an accident, Terry Ross cleans up donated medical equipment and gives it to people in need.

Chuck and Tonya Walter live a normal life with their complex son. A different normal life.

Principal Art Davis never planned to be an educator, but he fell in love with teaching and the community.

The loss of a puppy led April Griggs to discover her therapy in beekeeping.

After living in Paducah for almost 7 years, Martha Emmons finally found a way to immerse herself in her community through opening “BikeWorld.”

Tracy Defreitas eases the burden of hair loss, giving people strength to face life’s challenges.

Retta Folsom’s life is filled with books and music and a lot of gratitude for the little things in life.

TIME-LAPSE
Creating a vibrant culture built on local traditions and fueled by international trade.

Working with horses has helped veterinarian Bambi Fox cope with the death of her husband, a horse trainer.

Home to gorgeous old homes and the site of a Civil War fort, Lower Town is now a thriving center for artists.

National Railway Equipment is rich with history and innovation.

Nestled on the border of Illinois and Western Kentucky, Paducah witnesses where the Tennessee River flows into the Ohio.

Regulars at Side Pockets Billiards have formed a legacy of relationships with each other.

A teenager from Ethiopia begins to embrace her new family in Kentucky.

To Kim Atwood, owner of Precious Paws Pet Grooming, dogs, their owners, and her staff are family.

Hop on the hay wagon and take a trip to Wurth Farm.

Filling ovens with Kirchhoff’s famous bread means long nights and back-breaking work.

At 78, Jean Thetford has spent most of her life raising three generations of children. Now she is devoted to bringing up her 3-year-old great-grandson.

Cassidy’s Cause provides therapeutic horse rides to build strength and confidence for children with special needs.

The neighborhood center created by Sherry Golightly has led Tim Walls to find faith and sobriety.

In 2011, Ashley Graham set out to find a cure for her daughter’s skin condition. Chloe couldn’t use commercially produced soap. Ashley started experimenting with natural ingredients to create a mild soap.

Jack and Daniele Johnson balance managing a dance studio with caring or their extended family.

A Paducah family embraces diversity, chaos, learning, and love.

Teen runaway Maggie Alcantara struggles to find her identity.

Brad Starks will not leave Paducah and his family, even though his custom hot rod shop would thrive elsewhere.

Deputy sheriff and SWAT team leader Michael Wray is a commanding presence at his CrossFit gym. But at home, his daughter brings out his vulnerable side.

A Paducah businessman turned his life around, and he’s not taking it for granted.

Howard Hicks views his work, taxidermy, as an art and a science.

Grandparents juggle a horse carriage business and the challenge of raising a 10-year-old boy.

Entering Creatures of Habit feels like walking into an enormous walk-in closet of an incredibly cool grandma. You can be anything you want here.

All her life, Haley Smith has struggled with severe autism. Her family and others have created a safe environment where she finds comfort and happiness.

The Nichols’ Worth Diner is more than a breakfast joint for owner Charlie Nichols.

Dairyette restaurant dishes up hometown feeling with servings of barbecue and ice cream.

Drew Vanderford is a volunteer tutor at Clark Elementary School, serving as a mentor, role model and surrogate grandfather for student and teachers alike.

A gunshot wound to the head changed everything, but somehow, Beau Mathis has recovered to become a great sports fan for Tilghman — and a great inspiration for everyone else.

Inspired by a difficult adoption experience, Laura Roberts founded Starfish Orphan Ministry to support other families.

Philip Phillips, who describes his style as “old rocker,” spends his days creating everything from wallets to pocket-watch holders to handbags.

Jill Suiter has never been afraid of hard work.