As we enter 2026, WPKY’s News Edge is revisiting the top local stories from 2025, starting with the highlights from the first quarter—January through March—sponsored by The Joshua Tree Boutique, Willow Pond, Newsom’s, Dana Dyer-Woodmen Life, and Fredonia Valley Bank.
In January, the United Way of the Coalfield held its first Community Impact Award Celebration at Madisonville Community College, recognizing those making a difference in Caldwell, Hopkins, and Muhlenberg counties.
Caldwell County’s award was presented to retired educator and former Judge-Executive Larry Curling. Curling told WPKY’s News Edge he felt privileged to accept the honor, though he noted that many others in the county were just as deserving.
click to download audioThe community gathered at Central Presbyterian Church for the 10th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. program.
Pastor Aaron Pettus of Foston Chapel Baptist Church served as the keynote speaker. Pettus has been a 27-year advocate for education and youth at Hopkinsville Community College.
During his speech, Pettus addressed the program’s theme, “Unity Through Diversity.”
click to download audioThe Caldwell County Board of Education swore in two returning board members, Anna Ray and Stacy Brantley, who were both reelected in the November 2025 General Election.
The Board also accepted the resignation of District 1 member Josh Ramage, declared the seat vacant, and advertised the opening. In March, Jamie Bates was sworn in to fill the position.
The Lake Barkley Partnership for Economic Development, serving Caldwell, Crittenden, Livingston, and Lyon counties, named Garrett Clark as its new executive director.
Clark replaced Amanda Davenport, who served in the role since 2018 before leaving to become executive director of the Eddyville Riverport & Industrial Development Authority.
In February, flooding caused significant disruption in Caldwell and Lyon counties, as well as Dawson Springs.
Caldwell County Emergency Management Director Joey McCaslin reported a water rescue on Kentucky 91 near Crider after a woman drove into high water, as well as one family that was evacuated from their home on South Seminary due to rising floodwaters.
The Princeton Fire Department appointed Jonathan Chewning as assistant volunteer fire chief, while Princeton Water and Wastewater welcomed back James Noel as superintendent after his December retirement following 27 years of service.
In March, Judge-Executive Kota Young announced the launch of the first new industrial facility in the Industrial Park since 1998.
Judge Young said the project — Industrial Building Project #4 — was made possible by a $4 million Kentucky Product Development Initiative grant, which was made possible with the participation of Crittenden County.
Young emphasized that this new construction project signals the start of many positive developments for the area.
click to download audioIn March, Tyler Lear, general manager at Adams Breezy Hill Farm, announced that the expansion of their weddings and events venue was underway. He said the project aims to better serve the community’s needs for special events—like weddings, birthdays, and baby showers—and will include a new greenhouse.
He also noted that the new facility will be more than a venue, serving as a vibrant hub for agriculture and education in the community.
click to download audioThe Princeton-Caldwell County City-County Park Board named Elizabeth King as the new executive director of the park, filling the position left by the resignation of Stephanie Stallins.
King is a Caldwell County native and a former educator in the Caldwell County School District. She also served as a supervisor at the City-County Park during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
The Caldwell County Special Olympics Blue Team won the state basketball championship in Louisville, and the Gold Team took home the Team Skills Championship.
When the teams returned to Princeton, they received a police escort to the Butler building parking lot—a special welcome that Roy Gene Rogers said the athletes will always remember.
click to download audioThe annual Western Kentucky Evangelism Conference marked its 40th anniversary in March at Southside Baptist Church in Princeton. The event was sponsored by the Caldwell-Lyon Baptist Association.
