Fayette County

Capturing beauty and sorrow: See Herald-Leader’s best news, feature pictures of 2021

By Herald-Leader staff report

As we say goodbye to 2021, we take a look back at some of the Herald-Leader staff photographers’ favorite and best breaking news and feature photos of the past year.

Besides the images below, more photographs are included in the year in review photo slideshow above.

Follow @kentuckycom on Instagram to see the latest from our visual journalists and click here to see our best sports images of the past year including University of Kentucky athletic events, horse racing and local high school games.

If you wish to buy a reprint of any image, email Brian Simms at bsimms@herald-leader.com

A boat weaves through partially submerged cars and trailer in city of Beattyville following heavy rains which caused the Kentucky River to flood, Tuesday, March 3, 2021.
A boat weaves through partially submerged cars and trailer in city of Beattyville following heavy rains which caused the Kentucky River to flood, Tuesday, March 3, 2021. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Samweli Kabura celebrates outside along High Street with his friends and family the graduation ceremony of Bryan Station High School at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., Thursday May 20, 2021.
Samweli Kabura celebrates outside along High Street with his friends and family the graduation ceremony of Bryan Station High School at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., Thursday May 20, 2021. Silas Walker swalker@herald-leader.com
Rabbi Shlomo Litvin, Chabad of the Bluegrass director, and his son, Kehos, 2, both of Lexington, place flags Feb. 4 on the back lawn of the Kentucky state Capitol in honor of Kentuckians who have died from complications from COVID-19.
Rabbi Shlomo Litvin, Chabad of the Bluegrass director, and his son, Kehos, 2, both of Lexington, place flags Feb. 4 on the back lawn of the Kentucky state Capitol in honor of Kentuckians who have died from complications from COVID-19. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Heather Sutton and Brandon Puckett, both of Lexington, Ky., kiss during their wedding ceremony at Donut Days Bakery in Lexington, Ky., Friday, March 19, 2021. Puckett, who is a police officer, and Sutton, who is an EMT, met on the social media app TikTok. A forecast of bad weather gave Sutton the idea told the ceremony at Donut Days.
Heather Sutton and Brandon Puckett, both of Lexington, Ky., kiss during their wedding ceremony at Donut Days Bakery in Lexington, Ky., Friday, March 19, 2021. Puckett, who is a police officer, and Sutton, who is an EMT, met on the social media app TikTok. A forecast of bad weather gave Sutton the idea told the ceremony at Donut Days. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
The head of the Mother Goose Inn in is replaced after collapsing from winter storms in Hazard, Ky., on Friday, August 27, 2021. The over 17-foot-tall gooses head fell after remaining in place over eighty years. Keith Miller worked on repairing and installing the structure.
The head of the Mother Goose Inn in is replaced after collapsing from winter storms in Hazard, Ky., on Friday, August 27, 2021. The over 17-foot-tall gooses head fell after remaining in place over eighty years. Keith Miller worked on repairing and installing the structure. Silas Walker swalker@herald-leader.com
A pedestrian crosses Short Street in downtown Lexington during a rain shower Thursday, March 18, 2021.
A pedestrian crosses Short Street in downtown Lexington during a rain shower Thursday, March 18, 2021. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Ellington Gross, 5, of Frankfort, Ky., climbs a blooming weeping cherry tree while visiting the Lexington Cemetery with her mother, Tuesday, March 30, 2021.
Ellington Gross, 5, of Frankfort, Ky., climbs a blooming weeping cherry tree while visiting the Lexington Cemetery with her mother, Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Members of the honor guard place the casket of Army Pfc. Berton J. McQueen before the family during a funeral at the Wind Cave Baptist Church in Jackson County outside McKee, Ky., Saturday, October 16, 2021. McQueen died in France in 1944 during World War II and his body was not identified until July 2021, 76 years later.
Members of the honor guard place the casket of Army Pfc. Berton J. McQueen before the family during a funeral at the Wind Cave Baptist Church in Jackson County outside McKee, Ky., Saturday, October 16, 2021. McQueen died in France in 1944 during World War II and his body was not identified until July 2021, 76 years later. Silas Walker swalker@herald-leader.com
A great blue heron takes flight above the Jacobson Park Reservoir in Lexington on Friday, March 19, 2021.
A great blue heron takes flight above the Jacobson Park Reservoir in Lexington on Friday, March 19, 2021. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
A foal grazes in a field beneath a rainbow following a rainstorm in Lexington, Ky., Friday, June 11, 2021.
A foal grazes in a field beneath a rainbow following a rainstorm in Lexington, Ky., Friday, June 11, 2021. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Only a bookshelf remains Dec. 14, 2021 in the former law office of Hargrove & Foster at the corner of Mayfield’s East North Street and North 6th Street following deadly tornadoes that tore through Western Kentucky.
Only a bookshelf remains Dec. 14, 2021 in the former law office of Hargrove & Foster at the corner of Mayfield’s East North Street and North 6th Street following deadly tornadoes that tore through Western Kentucky. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Members of Mayfield First Presbyterian Church and Mayfield First Christian Church gather in an empty lot between their destroyed church buildings for a joint Christmas Eve service in Mayfield, Ky., on Friday, Dec. 24, 2021. A tornado devastated the community on Dec. 10, 2021.
Members of Mayfield First Presbyterian Church and Mayfield First Christian Church gather in an empty lot between their destroyed church buildings for a joint Christmas Eve service in Mayfield, Ky., on Friday, Dec. 24, 2021. A tornado devastated the community on Dec. 10, 2021. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Paul Allison and Christina Smith dance and listen to shows during the second day of Railbird Festival at Keeneland racetrack in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, August 29, 2021.
Paul Allison and Christina Smith dance and listen to shows during the second day of Railbird Festival at Keeneland racetrack in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, August 29, 2021. Silas Walker swalker@herald-leader.com
A cyclist crosses West Main Street in downtown Lexington on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, the first day of autumn.
A cyclist crosses West Main Street in downtown Lexington on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, the first day of autumn. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
Jonathan Thompson, left, and Williams Atkinson, both of Lexington, Ky., duel each other with plastic lightsabers during a weekly practice session with the Lexington Lightsaber League at Woodland Park in Lexington, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.
Jonathan Thompson, left, and Williams Atkinson, both of Lexington, Ky., duel each other with plastic lightsabers during a weekly practice session with the Lexington Lightsaber League at Woodland Park in Lexington, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
A horse stands in a field in Fayette County on Wednesday, Jan 20, 2021.
A horse stands in a field in Fayette County on Wednesday, Jan 20, 2021. Ryan C. Hermens
Part of a wall on at the J. M. Smuckers factory on Winchester Road falls in Lexington Ky., Wednesday, February 24, 2021.
Part of a wall on at the J. M. Smuckers factory on Winchester Road falls in Lexington Ky., Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Silas Walker Lexington Herald-Leader
A Lexington firefighter administers oxygen to one of two dogs rescued from a structure fire on Brewer Drive in Lexington on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. Both dogs were alert and walking after receiving oxygen through pet masks, which every fire truck is outfitted with, according to Jordan Saas, Lexington Fire Department battalion chief.
A Lexington firefighter administers oxygen to one of two dogs rescued from a structure fire on Brewer Drive in Lexington on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. Both dogs were alert and walking after receiving oxygen through pet masks, which every fire truck is outfitted with, according to Jordan Saas, Lexington Fire Department battalion chief. Ryan C. Hermens rhermens@herald-leader.com
After the University of Kentucky women’s volleyball team won the program’s first national championship on Saturday, April 24, 2021, fans headed to State Street in Lexington, Ky., for what has become a celebration tradition: couch burning.
After the University of Kentucky women’s volleyball team won the program’s first national championship on Saturday, April 24, 2021, fans headed to State Street in Lexington, Ky., for what has become a celebration tradition: couch burning. Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com
Neighborhood children watch as fireworks are set off on Fifth Street in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, July 3, 2021.
Neighborhood children watch as fireworks are set off on Fifth Street in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, July 3, 2021. Silas Walker swalker@herald-leader.com

This story was originally published December 29, 2021 at 6:00 AM.

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