Here are the top WPKY News Stories of the second quarter, April to June, of 2025, sponsored by The Joshua Tree Boutique, Willow Pond, Newsom’s, Dana Dyer-Woodmen Life, and Fredonia Valley Bank.
In April, historic flooding forced the closure of several streets and roads across Caldwell and Lyon counties, including in Dawson Springs, which also prompted water rescues and several businesses to close due to high water.
Caldwell County Emergency Management Director Joey McCaslin reported that one water rescue took place on Interstate 69, which was shut down just west of Dawson Springs near the Caldwell-Hopkins County line.
click to download audioThe day before, another rescue took place on Varmint Trace Road after a man drove past barricades into floodwaters, submerging his vehicle up to his waist before being rescued by boat.
In Dawson Springs, Mayor Jenny Sewell said the town received over 20 inches of rain, causing the river to overflow and impacting roads, businesses, homes, and Riverside Park.
click to download audioMeanwhile, Lyon County Judge-Executive Jaime Smith reported that several roads were affected by the flooding event, but there were no structural damages from the storms that moved through western Kentucky.
Also in April, Eric Wright of Princeton was sentenced to 21 years in prison following a plea agreement in Caldwell Circuit Court in connection to the March 2024 death of his wife, 27-year-old Rachel Tucker-Wright.
State police conducted the death investigation that occurred on Dripping Springs Road on March 26, 2024, where detectives reported Tucker-Wright died from blunt force trauma.
In April, Judge-Executive Kota Young introduced a resolution with community groups to support converting the historic Butler Building into a new Judicial Center. However, after a public meeting, Young announced the building was no longer an option due to non-compliance with Judiciary policies.
This project came about after the Kentucky General Assembly approved funding for a new judicial center as part of the 2024-2026 budget. The county will own the new center, while construction and maintenance will be funded by the Judicial Branch. The project is expected to cost $33.1 million, covered through state debt service payments.
In May, the Princeton Rotary Club demonstrated its commitment to community improvement by installing new benches in several downtown locations.
Chris Burton, Rotary Club Service Committee Chair and General Manager of the Princeton Electric Plant Board, reported that the project was funded through a Rotary International grant. Club members assembled and placed the poly-wood benches throughout the area.
click to download audioThe community also gathered at the Princeton-Caldwell County Industrial Park for a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the start of construction on Build-Ready Site Industrial Building #4, part of an $8 million investment.
Judge-Executive Kota Young expressed enthusiasm for the project’s positive economic impact and noted it as a key investment in the community’s future.
click to download audioIn June, former Caldwell County Deputy Jailer Dustin Driver was arrested following a state police investigation and charged with theft by unlawful taking over $10,000.
Driver is accused of taking money from the Caldwell County Jail’s kiosk between July 2024 and June 2025, money he was responsible for depositing at the bank. State police said 51 deposits went missing during that time, totaling approximately $14,112.
Driver was indicted in September, and the case is ongoing in the court system.
The Princeton Art Guild named Joe Duncan as its new executive director, succeeding Melissa Peek. According to Peek, Duncan, a western Kentucky native, has ten years of experience in museums, arts, and nonprofit leadership.
In Dawson Springs, Kentucky, Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman joined Mayor Jenny Sewell, residents, and volunteers to dedicate four newly built homes, a project spearheaded by Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders, to assist the community after the December 2021 tornado.
Mayor Sewell told Your News Edge it was a special day as four families received new homes.
click to download audioAt that time, she noted that more than 100 homes had been built so far, with more construction and city infrastructure improvements still planned.
Coming up on Wednesday, WPKY’s News Edge will share the top stories from the third quarter of 2025.