As our Year in Review wraps up today, WPKY’s News Edge reflects on some top stories in 2023, including a record-breaking fundraising event for the Princeton Optimist Club.
During its annual radio auction held in June, Princeton Optimist Club President and auction chair George Kilgore announced the final total raised at the close of the auction, which raised an additional $2,000 over 2022.
click to download audioAccording to Kilgore, all the money raised during the annual radio auction goes back into the community to support the youth.
In November, Dawson Springs Independent Schools’ Superintendent Leonard Whalen announced that the high school students made an exceptional showing in the Kentucky Summative Assessment conducted in the spring of 2023 with a school index of 98.3, which gave them the highest reported index in the state. He said the district’s administration was pleased with the results of the spring 2023 testing at all levels.
The owner of The Legacy Child Development Center in Princeton, Kathy Jo Sample, opened a new childcare center in November, fulfilling her dream.
click to download audioThe Legacy Child Development Center is located at 328 South Seminary Street in Princeton.
Caldwell County had several celebrations in 2023, including its annual Dotson Days held in August which featured a basketball tournament, bingo games, and more for kids and adults to enjoy. This year also featured guest speaker Sheila Smith Anderson.
In December, the Fredonia Valley Christmas Parade was held on a chilly, gloomy evening but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the community who came out to see all the parade entries.
The grand marshal for the parade was Akridge Farm Supply, a business that earlier in the year celebrated its 90th Anniversary.
William Butts with Akridge expressed their gratitude for being chosen as the grand marshal for the parade, stating that it was a great honor to lead the procession.
click to download audioThe theme for the Christmas Parade was “Light Up Fredonia.”
The following weekend, downtown Princeton was adorned with crowds of adults and children as they gathered to watch the exciting “Merry Melodies of Christmas Parade” in downtown. Even though the parade had to be moved from Saturday to Friday night due to the threat of rain and thunderstorms it didn’t deter the community from coming out to see an array of decorated floats, vehicles, and various other entries displaying the holiday spirit.
The grand marshals of the Princeton Christmas Parade were three World War II veterans: H.C. Beck, Dale Faughn, and Clinton Perry.
There were also some big announcements from two utilities in Caldwell County in December.
The Princeton Electric Plant Board announced that long-time employee, Chris Burton, had been selected as the new general manager. He replaced Kevin Kizzee, who retired at the end of the year after 36 years of service to the Plant Board, including as the general manager the past seven years.
Meanwhile, Caldwell County Water District Board Chair Sally Hart welcomed Cody Kirby as the new superintendent, effective January 1st. She said Kirby came to the water district with 17 years of experience in water and utility management and also offered the background needed with the various water regulatory agencies. He replaced former CEO and Superintendent Jimmy Littlefield who resigned on October 13th.
During 2023, the community continued to move forward and make progress from the aftermath of the tornado that struck Caldwell County on December 10, 2021. The Caldwell Long-Term Recovery Group held a solemn memorial dedication at the Planters Bank Pavilion on the second anniversary of the tornado to remember the four lives tragically lost that night.
To listen to Friday’s Year in Review, click on the audio below:
