From flooding to graduation ceremonies the second quarter of 2025 held some surprises for the region along with happy moments and some tough circumstances.
In early April Christian County was placed under a state of emergency after flash flooding closed several roads and forced the evacuation of several residents from homes and vehicles. Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam says the situation in Hopkinsville and Christian County is very serious.
click to download audioHopkinsville Mayor J R Knight says there are several places in the city being impacted by flooding.
click to download audioKnight adds there have been several rescues by the Hopkinsville Fire Department.
Trigg County Judge Executive Stan Humphries says there are several roads already flooded in the county and with more flood waters on the way the number of flooded areas will increase.
click to download audioThe following week, Governor Andy Beshear announced that over 70 counties had declared a state of emergency due to the historic flooding in the Commonwealth, which has claimed the lives of six peo
In April Christian County Public School Board of Education members questioned several requests pertaining to the new in-house school resource officer program, before approving the measures. Thursday night, District Director of School Safety Clayton Sumner presented the School Board with a job description for school resource officers.
The Cadiz Rotary Club Radio Auction closed Friday night by announcing a record-breaking total for the “These Are My People” 2025 auction. The auction, based on the 2007 Rodney Atkins #1 country hit of the same name, wrapped up and far surpassed its $350,000 goal. An emotional co-chair, Beth Sumner, shared the final total.
click to download audioJessica Addison, who currently serves as the assistant superintendent of Christian County Public Schools, was chosen as the new Todd County School Superintendent r an extensive and rigorous search and interview process.
In early March, Trigg County High School siblings Caroline and Carter Kosak, alongside friend Anna Roeder, were patiently awaiting good news — hoping their “Not For One, But For Everyone” presentation was nationally award-winning through the Distributive Education Clubs of America and Muscular Dystrophy Association “Disability is Diversity” Challenge.
Then, Roeder and Caroline said, the announcement finally came.
A national championship, better known as DECA Glass, was coming home to Cadiz for the first time in school history.
From Private America to his thought for the day and slogan “Where Quality is Never Expensive,” Charles Petty is being remembered for a life dedicated to serving agriculture and uplifting his fellow man.
Petty retired from a life of service to the agriculture community with a reception that was attended by farmers, friends, and co-workers at Kentucky American Seed in February of 2023.
During a conversation with Your Ag Edge, Petty talked about the reason he founded Kentucky American Seed and the slogan that defined the business.
click to download audioWhen current Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson announced his imminent retirement, and search for the institution’s next leader began, Dr. Ron Patterson immediately inquired about the position.
A Corinth, Mississippi, native and former collegiate basketball coach, he was deeply familiar with Racer athletics and academics, and its legacy impact on west Kentucky, northwest Tennessee and beyond.
After Chase Pemberton was diagnosed with leukemia, the Hopkinsville community came together in overwhelming numbers to donate blood in his honor. The 24-year-old, who grew up in Hopkinsville and graduated from Hopkinsville High School, was recently hired at Dell in Nashville after finishing his degree at Western Kentucky University.
A pillar of Kentucky agriculture, higher education and student mentorship has died.
Dr. Luther B. Hughes, Jr., a highly respected Kentucky agricultural leader and longtime Western Kentucky University administrator, died May 5. He was 81.
The father of WKDZ and Kentucky Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame member Willie Wilson passed in May. Wilson will be remembered for putting WKDZ-AM 1110 on the air on April 8, 1966, and later putting WKDZ-FM on the air in 1971. During a drive by birthday celebration earlier this year, Mr Willie shared his love and appreciation for the people of Cadiz and Trigg County.
click to download audioBack in town this past January to accept his Class of 2024 entry into the Hopkinsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Tommy Wade found himself nostalgic and reminiscent of all the good times he has had in Christian County. Wade in 2025 made a significant donation in honor of his family to the Boys and Girls club of Hopkinsville which resulted in the gymnasium being renamed in honor of the Wade family.
Christian County Public Schools officially unveiled the branding for its new consolidated high school in April, marking a key milestone in a nearly four-year process. The new school, which will bring together students from Hopkinsville High School and Christian County High School, is set to open for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Students from Trigg County, Hopkinsville, Christian County, Heritage Christian Academy, University Heights, and other area high schools received their diplomas during the commencements in May.
Damage in the Cumberland Shores neighborhood and other portions of southern Trigg County from May storms was determined to be caused by straight-line winds.
According to the damage survey completed Monday afternoon, the damage was caused by winds of 80-90 MPH and extended from the neighborhood off Lock E Road eastward to just north of the Trigg County part of the Back 40 at Fort Campbell.
Hopkinsville’s historic L&N Depot has officially been sold to Railmark Holdings Inc., opening the door to a new chapter for the beloved 1892 landmark.
Plans include a full-service travel agency and a long-term goal to restore passenger rail service to Hopkinsville.
Trigg County Public Schools officially welcomed James O. Gregory as the district’s new Director of Bands.
Gregory brings more than 20 years of experience in music education, including a highly successful tenure at Paducah Tilghman High School, where his bands earned distinguished ratings and reached the KMEA State Marching Band Semifinals.
Trigg County Public Schools Administrator Matt Ladd brought several updates to the Board of Education in June — delivering news on two home fronts. He noted considerable progress, he said, has already been made on the Wildcat Gymnasium demolition.
But in humble fashion, not looking to be the headline, Ladd buried the lede — and saved his personal news for last.
A student-athlete and proud Trigg County High School alumnus, this is the only district he’s ever known. For the last 29-plus years, he has weaved his way through various teaching, coaching and administrative positions and opportunities across the Cadiz community.
Hopkinsville FFA Chapter past President Mollie Goode was among the twelve Kentucky FFA Officers chosen during the Kentucky FFA Convention to lead the state organization during the 2025-26 year.
Goode was named Pennyrile Region State Vice-President during the final session of the Kentucky FFA Convention in Lexington Thursday morning, with the announcement made by past Kentucky FFA Vice-President Jackson Baird who served as chairman of the nominating committee.
In front a large crowd in June at the Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, and for a third-straight year, Governor Andy Beshear announced the Commonwealth finished its best-ever season in tourism in 2024 — racing past 2022 and 2023 efforts behind $14.3 billion in economic activity driven by visitors and their desires for destinations.
The Kentucky Association of County Agriculture Agents held a banquet of connection and honors in June. One of these honors included the President’s Award, presented by KACAA President David Fourqurean. The President’s Award serves as a thanks to the recipient for their outstanding work within agriculture, no matter if they are an ag agent or not. This year’s recipient was Edge Media Group’s very own Alan Watts.
Christian Way Farms in Christian County celebrated its one-hundred year anniversary in June by being named a Kentucky Heritage Farm.
The farm began in the early 1920’s, when World War I veteran Guy Corley used his bonus money from his service to purchase 350 acres of farmland in northern Christian County.
Unbeknownst to Corley, this land would transition into a place of faith and connection for families all over the world.
Fifteen years ago, Camp Cadiz was but a fledgling idea — brought forth by a few local volunteers, a handful of Trigg County youths, a list of small projects around the community and a dry roof at the Recreation Complex.
This year, there are more than 120 adults and 80 students on board — faith in action each passing moment.
Made possible through private and public donations, a budget of more than $16,000 annually stretches into more than 80 projects and counting, more than 120 hot meals delivered to the elderly and needy per day, gasoline for power tools and landscaping equipment, food and drinks for students and staff, and any other supplies needed to make the five-day, four-night foray into philanthropy and Christian philosophy a complete, transforming experience for all involved.
Pennyrile Electric held its 88th annual meeting virtually in June from its corporate office in Hopkinsville, coinciding with the Western Kentucky State Fair, and later announced the results of three board of director elections.
A new face will serve on the Pennyrile Electric Board of Directors after Mindy Hargrove narrowly defeated longtime director Joe Rogers 524 to 521 to claim the Cumberland District Seat. In the Western District Bates Payne, Jr received 763 votes and Eastern District Director Robert E. Allen garnered 728 votes, with both re-elected to their terms on the board.
