Here are the top WPKY News Stories of the fourth quarter from October to December of 2025, sponsored by The Joshua Tree Boutique, Willow Pond, Newsom’s, Dana Dyer-Woodmen Life, and Fredonia Valley Bank.
In October, the Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce welcomed Chloe King as its new executive director.
click to download audioHundreds gathered lakeside in Dawson Springs in October for a record-breaking Bluegrass on Beshear fundraiser, supporting pregnancy care centers across the region.
Event organizers, Laura and Jeff Smith, said this year’s event attracted about 500 attendees and raised a record $55,000, with donations still being accepted until early November. The couple added that over the past twelve years of hosting the event, they’ve raised more than $300,000 to support pregnancy centers.
In October, Princeton Police investigated the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Jerrod Cooper on Beverly Lane that led to the arrest of Hector Miguel Pena. He was charged with murder and attempted murder and has since been indicted by a Caldwell County grand jury. His case is currently going through the court system.
A wave of enthusiasm rolled through Princeton for the Truck-tober Fest, a new event held at the City/County Park that featured food trucks. Princeton Tourism Director Laci Harper said the event drew a huge turnout.
click to download audioThanks to its success, Harper said more food truck events are likely on the horizon in Princeton.
Hundreds of kids and parents filled the street in downtown Princeton for the annual Trick or Treating event, and for the very first time, community churches came together on Halloween night to provide a family-friendly event for the community held on the Butler Campus called “Light the Night.”
In November, the Caldwell County Judicial Center Project Board began the process of selecting an architect for the new judicial center project. Board Chair and Judge-Executive Kota Young said they had received eight submissions, which the board reviewed and scored, with three firms selected to move forward. The Board subsequently awarded the contract to Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects after interviewing the three firms at a meeting in December.
In November, the Fredonia Heritage Society and the Fredonia American Legion Post 103 honored veterans with their Veterans Day Program at the Fredonia Veterans Memorial Park, while Princeton’s VFW Post 5595 held its annual Veterans Day Program at the Caldwell County Courthouse.
In November, Caldwell County High School marked the official launch of the Jobs for America’s Graduates program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Keynote speaker Representative Walker Thomas called the program’s future in Caldwell County “promising,” with plans to expand and grow opportunities for students through new local partnerships.
click to download audioUnited Way of the Coalfield Executive Director Ashley Alexander also presented a $10,000 check to support the JAG program.
The community mourned the loss of Caldwell County Jailer Willie Harper, who passed away on November 19 at the age of 44 after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. Harper was elected as jailer in the November 2022 General Election.
The Legacy Center in Princeton received a $10,000 donation from United Way of the Coalfield Executive Director Ashley Alexander to help support its various needs.
Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chloe King announced that David Adams of Adams Breezy Hill Farm and Nancy Newsom Mahaffey from Newsom’s Old Mill Store as the grand marshals for the annual Christmas Parade in Princeton.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the annual Fredonia Valley Christmas Parade named lifelong resident and farmer Nicky Baker as the grand marshal.
Dr. Dan Talley at The Eye Care Center retired in November after serving the community for over four decades.
click to download audioOn the eve of the fourth anniversary of the December 2021 tornado, four Dawson Springs families received keys to new Hope Initiative homes in Princeton. At the dedication ceremony, Governor Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear praised the families’ resilience and urged the community to remember those who offered support after the storm.
click to download audioThe Caldwell County Special Olympics Bowling Team brought back several awards from the Kentucky State Special Olympics Bowling Tournament held in Louisville, according to Coach Roy Gene Rogers.
click to download audioCommunity President Jason Redfern of First Southern National Bank in Princeton was awarded funding from the Angeline Henry Trust Fund during a ceremony in December at the bank. He presented checks to four nonprofit organizations: The Hope Center, Create Princeton, Community Disciples, and the Princeton Art Guild.
That concludes a look back at the top stories brought to you by WPKY’s News Edge. Coming up tomorrow, Todd Griffin will have the top sports stories in 2025.
