Hello BG Neighbors 👋
Another week, another roundup of what’s actually happening around Bowling Green. From community updates and local wins to a packed events calendar, we’ve pulled together the things worth knowing.
As always, if something feels useful, interesting, or just helps you plan your week, that’s a win in our book.
Let’s get into it.
🧠 Expanded Mental Health Services Coming to BG
Source: WBKO
Local mental health provider LifeSkills has received a major certification that’s expected to make mental health and substance use support easier to access for people in Bowling Green and beyond.
The organization is now designated as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) — a new status that allows it to offer expanded services, longer hours, and walk-in crisis care for people of all ages, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
That means:
💬 Evening and weekend appointments — helpful for parents and working adults who can’t make daytime appointments.
🚶♂️ Walk-in crisis support — no long wait lists for people in urgent need.
🏥 Expanded coverage serving 18 counties across south-central and western Kentucky, including our own Warren County.
“We’re going to offer evening hours, weekend hours for parents with kids who need therapy and don’t want to pull them out of school,” said LifeSkills Regional Executive Director Melanie Watts. “If you’re in crisis, you can walk in and get services. You aren’t going to have to wait a week for a therapist.”
The CCBHC model is designed to reduce barriers to care and improve coordination of services, and area leaders say this certification represents a significant step in expanding both mental health and substance-use support in our region.
For many families and individuals, that means more accessible help without red tape — and a stronger safety net for our community’s emotional and behavioral health.
LifeSkills provides a wide range of services — from therapy to crisis stabilization — through its main clinic here in Bowling Green and partner locations throughout the region.
📣 City & Community Notes
🌟 Warren County “Recovery Ready” Certification
Warren County earned a Recovery Ready Community designation, meaning local leaders and organizations are actively strengthening treatment and recovery networks for people with substance use disorders — something officials hope will serve as a model for other areas of the state. (Learn More)
🐾 Humane Society Highlights Ongoing Work
The Bowling Green–Warren County Humane Society is highlighting its 2025 milestones — including nearly 12,000 animals served and nearly 12,000 spay/neuter surgeries — and encouraging pet owners to help address the community’s pet overpopulation challenge. (Learn More)
⛸️ SoKY Ice Rink Nears Season’s End
With winter in full swing, the Warren County Parks & Recreation department is preparing for the final week of the SoKY Ice Rink season — a popular winter activity for families and winter visitors to the area. (Learn More)
📍 Crime Watch (Minor update)
BGPD is asking the public’s help identifying a suspect in a recent business burglary and criminal mischief case. Anyone with tips can contact Crime Stoppers, and information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward. (Learn More)
🛞 Menards Food Drive Helps Local Pantry
The Menards on Nashville Road hosted a community food drive this week, collecting donations to support local food pantries and families in need. (Learn More)
🗓️ This Week in BG — Events & Happenings
If you’re looking for something festive, free, or family-friendly this week, we’ve got you covered 👇
🎵 Music & Live Performances
🎤 Josh Turner — This Country Music Thing Tour
⏰ Thu, Jan 22 • 7:30–9:30 PM
📍 Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center — 601 College St
Country music fans — Turner’s tour comes to BG for a big night of music.
👉 Learn More
🎶 Live Performance: The Miracles
⏰ Fri, Jan 23 • 7:30–9:30 PM
📍 Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center — 601 College St
Classic Motown sounds with a renowned ensemble hitting the stage.
👉 Learn More
🎸 Lorrie Morgan Live in Concert
⏰ Sat, Jan 24 • 7:30–9:30 PM
📍 Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center — 601 College St
Country star Lorrie Morgan performs a mix of hits and favorites.
👉 Learn More
😂 Comedy Night at Bluegrass Vineyard
⏰ Sat, Jan 24 • 7:00–9:00 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
📍 Bluegrass Vineyard — 5016 Smiths Grove Scottsville Rd, Smiths Grove, KY 42171
A live stand-up comedy night hosted by KyleA Comedy at Bluegrass Vineyard. Drinks available, adults-only vibes, and a fun Saturday night option close to BG.
👉 Learn More
🎨 Arts, Culture & Community
🎻 WKU’s 30th Annual PRISM Concert
⏰ Fri, Jan 23 • 8:00–9:30 PM
📍 Van Meter Hall — WKU Campus
A long-running musical tradition from WKU’s music department.
👉 Learn More
🎉 Annual Celebration 2026 (Chamber Event)
⏰ Thu, Jan 22 • 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Sloan Convention Center — 1021 Wilkinson Trace
The Bowling Green Area Chamber’s annual networking and celebration event.
👉 Learn More
🏃 Family, Fitness & Recreation
⛸️ SoKY Ice Rink (Public Skating)
⏰ Tue, Jan 20–Tue, Jan 27 • Various times
📍 SoKY Center — 636 Center St
Season continues with public skating sessions and special activities.
👉 Learn More
🥎 Winter Adult Basketball Registration
⏰ Tue, Jan 20–Tue, Jan 27 • Ongoing
📍 Various Recreation Facilities
Get signed up for winter adult basketball leagues and drop-in play.
👉 Learn More
🚲 BRAVE the BYPASS Ride
⏰ Sat, Jan 24 • 10:00 AM
📍 Great American Donuts — 901 US 31W Bypass, Bowling Green, KY
A free, group bike ride for confident adult riders aimed at raising awareness of bike lane usage on the Bypass. The ride features a 3.7-mile loop, with coffee, donuts, and conversation before riding as many loops as you’d like. Hosted by BikeWalk BG and Bowling Green Cycling.
👉 Learn More
🧘 Kids Yoga in the Salt Cave
⏰ Sat, Jan 24 • 9:00–9:45 AM
📍 Be Happy Yoga & Salt Cave — 2710 Nashville Rd, Suite 104, Bowling Green, KY
A unique kids yoga class held inside the salt cave, combining gentle yoga, breathing, and fun group poses in a calming environment. Designed to encourage body awareness, confidence, and relaxation. Hosted by Be Happy Yoga & Salt Cave.
👉 Learn More
🏀 Sports & Recreation
🏀 WKU Men’s Basketball vs. Liberty University
⏰ Wed, Jan 21 (tip-off time varies)
📍 E.A. Diddle Arena — WKU Campus
The Hilltoppers host Liberty in a Conference USA matchup at home. Expect a high-energy crowd and a big midweek game inside Diddle.
👉 Learn More
🏀 WKU Women’s Basketball vs. Liberty
⏰ Thu, Jan 22 (tip-off time varies)
📍 E.A. Diddle Arena — WKU Campus
The Lady Toppers take on Liberty at home the following night in another important conference matchup.
👉 Learn More
📍 Ongoing This Week
📅 Spring Youth Sports Registration
⏰ Tue, Jan 20–Tue, Jan 27 • Ongoing
📍 City Parks & Recreation
Sign-ups open for youth lacrosse, tee ball, and more spring programs.
👉Learn More
📅 Winter Indoor Volleyball
⏰ Tue, Jan 20–Tue, Jan 27 • Ongoing
📍 City Parks & Recreation
Adult indoor volleyball continues with drop-in and league play.
👉Learn More
📌 Tips Before You Go
Concerts at SKyPAC sell out fast, so grab tickets early.
Public skating times and youth sports registration schedules can vary — double-check online before you head out.
❤️ New Business Expansion In BG: Inked Brands is expanding
We love spotlighting local businesses doing cool things — and this one is worth knowing about.
Inked Brands — Bringing jobs to BG
Inked Brands, a consumer products company with operations rooted here, announced plans to relocate and expand its Bowling Green footprint with a $10.7 million investment, a move expected to bring around 20 new jobs to the area over time.
Rather than shifting operations elsewhere, the company is choosing to grow locally — something economic leaders say reflects confidence in Bowling Green’s workforce, logistics advantages, and business climate. The expansion includes a larger facility designed to support continued growth and future hiring.
While restaurant openings often grab attention, investments like this tend to have a quieter but longer-lasting impact. New jobs mean more families supported locally, more spending in the community, and stronger momentum for the city’s broader economy.
It also fits into a bigger pattern. Bowling Green has continued to attract and retain employers across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and consumer products — industries that provide steady employment beyond seasonal or service-based work. For residents, that kind of diversity helps stabilize the local economy during slower periods.
For a city that’s growing quickly, these types of commitments matter. They suggest Bowling Green isn’t just adding new faces — it’s becoming a place where companies choose to stay, expand, and invest for the long haul.
📰 Local News Roundup
Here are some quick updates:
📊 Warren County Schools weather planning
Warren County Public Schools’ calendar and district info are live as families and educators prepare for the mid-year stretch and any upcoming schedule adjustments. 👉 Learn More
🚧 Short-term traffic impacts around BG
Drivers are reminded to watch for utility and maintenance lane closures on various local roads this week as crews wrap up winter projects and prepare for bigger infrastructure work ahead.
🏥 Healthcare access continues to grow locally
While not a brand-new announcement, Med Center Health’s ongoing patient-care expansions — including workspace for future services — signal the system’s continued investment in Bowling Green’s medical infrastructure. 👉 Learn More
🏀 Local high school basketball action
Area high school teams continued district play with notable contests this week, pushing toward tournament positioning as the winter season heats up.
🍽️ Early restaurant development filings in BG
City permit records show additional dining concepts entering early planning around major corridors like Nashville and Scottsville roads, indicating continued interest in local food scene growth.
❤️ Community Spotlight: Meals Inc. — Serving Beyond the Plate
Source: WNKY
For more than 30 years, Meals Inc. has quietly been one of Bowling Green’s most caring and consistent community helpers — and last year showed just how big their impact has become.
In 2025, the nonprofit delivered more than 13,000 meals to neighbors who are homebound or food-insecure, operating every Saturday with the help of volunteers, churches, and local partners. But they didn’t stop at hot meals — family food boxes stocked with fresh produce, eggs, and other staples have helped families stretch their resources through the week.
Now as 2026 begins, Meals Inc. is planning to expand partnerships and increase its reach, adding 30–35 more meals each week in collaboration with another local nonprofit — meaning even more neighbors can be served. Volunteers and donors across Bowling Green are at the heart of this work, showing how small acts of kindness add up to real community strength.
👉 Meals Inc.’s work is a reminder that community isn’t just where we live — it’s how we show up for one another.
Quick Question Before You Go 👇
That’s it for this week, BG.
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Have a blessed week — see you next Tuesday! ❤️
HelloBG Team