Here are the top WPKY News Stories from the third quarter, July to September of 2025, sponsored by The Joshua Tree Boutique, Willow Pond, Newsom’s, Dana Dyer-Woodmen Life, and Fredonia Valley Bank.
In July, Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert named the members of the Caldwell County Project Development Board and gave the green light to move forward with the new judicial center.
Officials said that establishing a Project Development Board would allow county officials and officials from the Administrative Office of the Courts to have a voice in important decisions, such as site selection, design, and the hiring of an architect and contractor.
Governor Andy Beshear announced the Eddyville Riverport received $750,000 for the Dolphin Project and nearly $92,000 for a paving project, both funded through state riverport grants.
The Fredonia community’s annual “Thunder in the Valley” Independence Day celebration at Buddy Rogers Park drew a record crowd. Pastor Presley Lamm presented Roger Mitchell with the Citizen of the Year Award.
In addition, Billy Baker with the VFW 5595 Auxiliary presented a $5,000 check to Pam Faughn with the Fredonia Heritage Society to be used for the Veterans Memorial Park.
Long-time Caldwell County educator and alumnus Malissa Thomas was named Assistant Superintendent and Director of Instruction for Caldwell County Schools.
click to download audioIn July, Optimist Club President Shirley Gray announced the selection of grand marshals for September’s Black Patch Festival.
click to download audioThe Princeton Rotary Club’s “Swing for Dreams Golf Tournament” raised over $25,000 for the Build-a-Bed Program, funding beds for 60 local children. Over six years, the program has provided nearly 400 beds to children in need.
In July, Matt and Angie Prowell were chosen as grand marshals for the August 9 parade to kick off the annual Lions Club Summer Festival.
The annual Jake Hodge Foundation Wiffle Ball Tournament was held at the Little Field of Dreams and Little Yankee Stadium, raising over $56,000 this year.
A ceremony in Marion unveiled new signage honoring the late State Representative Mike Cherry along five miles of the new U.S. 641. Governor Andy Beshear called the dedication “fitting.”
click to download audioIn August, the Community Disciples held their annual Banquet and Awards at Princeton First Baptist, featuring Princeton native Monique Copeland as guest speaker, who spoke about her career with the Walmart Company.
August marked the 60th Fredonia Valley Festival, Dotson Day Celebration, and the return to school in Caldwell County, with Baptist Health Princeton opening a clinic inside the high school for students, staff, and the community.
Josh Poling, the new owner of Broadbent B & B Foods in Kuttawa, won his first Kentucky State Fair with a ham he cured himself.
click to download audioPoling bought Broadbent B & B Foods from Ronnie and Beth Drennan in 2024.
This year, the company’s grand champion Kentucky Country Ham sold for $10 million at the Kentucky State Fair, with Central Bank President Luther Deaton and Joe Craft teaming up for the purchase.
In September, Governor Andy Beshear traveled to Princeton to dedicate the first Hope Initiative home at 303 Leech Street to Susan McIntosh and her family, who lost their home in the December 2021 tornado. Beshear said the new home marked continued progress in the area’s recovery from the EF-4 tornado three and a half years ago.
click to download audioSeptember’s Black Patch Parade and Festival featured a record 160 booths, earning praise from Optimist Club President Shirley Gray.
click to download audioPrinceton lost a piece of its past in September in a fire that destroyed the historic Waveland home. Princeton Fire Chief Brent Francis said the cause of the fire at the home located on West Locust Street was unknown.
In September, friends, family, and local leaders gathered at Planters Bank Pavilion to dedicate Cherry Park, next to Princeton City Hall, in honor of former Mayor Gale Cherry and her late husband, State Representative Mike Cherry.
Mayor Brock Thomas thanked everyone involved and said the park is a lasting tribute to the Cherry family’s service to the community.
click to download audioOn Thursday, we’ll share the top stories from the last quarter of 2025.
