As we start 2024, Your WEKT News Edge is taking the time to share some of Todd County’s top stories from 2023.
Today we bring you those stories from July to September.
July 1st – In a tragic accident on U.S. 68, Pembroke woman Wendy Buckley lost her life when a truck driven by William Mayes collided with an SUV driven by Grayson Sizemore. Despite efforts to save her, Wendy was pronounced dead at the scene by Todd County Corner Timmy Wells.
July 14th – A natural gas pipeline project in western Kentucky was a step closer to receiving the necessary funding, as Todd County Judge-Executive Todd Mansfield presented a memorandum of agreement to secure the second half of $30 million in funding. The pipeline, set to benefit several counties and cities in the region, was expected to begin installation this year after land right-of-way purchases are completed. The total project will cost around $115 million.
Mid-July – Todd County Public Schools announced during a board meeting that students would see safety improvements when they returned to school in August month, including the installation of a groundbreaking weapons detection system called Opengate. The system, which allows for faster screening of people with bags, is also used at school events and sports where large crowds are expected to gather.
Mid-July – Plans for a facelift of Elkton City Hall and the Elkton Police Department were approved by Elkton City Council.
Late July – One of the oldest gospel camp meetings in Kentucky continued its tradition in the Claymour community of northern Todd County.
Claymour Camp meeting Board member Wilda Harrison says there is only one other old-fashioned meeting that takes place in Kentucky each year that she knows of.
The meeting dates back to agriculture and began with a prayer for rain.
During a July board meeting, the Todd County Board of Education received a $12,000 grant from the WHAS Crusade for Children to purchase an adaptive playground for the middle school. Additionally, the district received a $2,500 check from proceeds through the school’s spirit pump at the Max Fuel BP on West Main Street.
Late July – The Tennessee Valley Authority announced plans to invest $30 million in building a new switching station and two power lines in Hopkinsville, benefiting Todd County. The project aimed to enhance regional power reliability and support future growth, with construction set to begin in 2025 – and finish by 2026.
July 28th – Henry Malone, the former Todd County Superintendent of Schools who played a key role in consolidating the high school and leading the district through desegregation, passed away at the age of 97. He served in the US Navy during World War II, obtained his college degrees, and had a long career in education before his retirement.
From January 2022 through March 2023 – Todd County experienced significant economic growth, ranking fifth on Site Selection magazine’s list of “America’s Best Counties by Projects, per Capita.” Union County followed at No. 7, Shelby County at No. 14, and Simpson County at No. 17.
It was announced in August that proceeds from the inaugural Hometown Harvest dinner held on September 22 would go to the Historic 1835 Todd County Courthouse. Over $2,900 was collected to help fund rehabilitation projects for the historic building.
Mid-August – All fire departments in Todd County were working together to establish mutual aid agreements, which will dispatch two fire departments automatically when a 911 call for a fire is made. The agreements were discussed and will initially apply to structure fires, with the possibility of including field fires in the future.
August 16th – During a visit with the Elkton Rotary Club, representatives from Todd County Family Resources shared they were able to help around 200 students get new shoes in 2023. They also announced they had secured a $6,000 grant from the Kentucky Colonels to benefit the Happy Feet program. The first Firecracker 5K held July 15th generated $2,717, which will be used for the 2024 school clothing and shoe drive.
Todd County resident Brian Frogue won top honors at the Kentucky State Fair after winning the country ham show. Frogue dominated all classes in the non-commercial division of the ham show, showcasing his cured hams that were made the old-fashioned way.
As a part of its August Ministry Day, Billy Goat Hill restaurant on Elkton’s town square raised over $1,450 for Todd County Schools’ AXIS and backpack programs.
Four Todd County citizens – Barbara Jordan, Frank McReynolds, Janette Sharp, and Jacob “Jack” J. Weber, Jr., were honored on September 22nd, for their outstanding contributions to their community. The University of Louisville Trager Institute and the Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic chose them as recipients of The Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award, recognizing their engaged and flourishing lives that inspire others.
September 5th – Todd County was among 46 counties to receive funding from the state of Kentucky to continue improving internet services to residents with no or minimal services. Todd County was set to receive nearly $2.37 million – the funding, awarded to Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative, was matched by the organization.
September 14th – Elkton City Council approved a residential development incentive for developer Arland Overholt, allowing for the construction of 13 new homes in the River Bend Subdivision. Mayor Arthur Green stated that the agreement, which eliminates the need for tax rebates, will help attract more developers to the city and address the growing need for housing opportunities in Todd County.
September 15th – It was announced by multiple media outlets that Buc-ee’s had scrapped plans to build a store at Exit 1 off of Interstate 24 in Clarksville.
September 15th – In a ribbon-cutting ceremony sponsored by the Todd County Chamber of Commerce, Option Pharmacy in Guthrie officially opened to the community. The business filled the dire need for a pharmacy in the Guthrie community after a longtime drought of services.
In mid-September – Your WEKT News Edge caught up with Gillian Brown, a 2019 Todd County Central High graduate, who is a PhD student at Texas A&M University researching bacteriophages (bak-tee-ree-ow-fay-juhz). Brown, who developed her interest in science during her time at the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University, wanted her hometown of Elkton to know that scientists come from small communities and are looking to give back.
Taylor Borders, 12, of Todd County earned the 2023 Champion of Life Award from the Life Choice Pregnancy Care Center. The award came after her hard work and dedication to creating a small business to make bracelets and other items and sell them at Elkton’s Hip Harvest. Since she started, Borders has raised over $10,000 for the pregnancy center.
YourSportsEdge.Com brought home the Kentucky Broadcasters Association’s award for Best Digitial Media Product in September during the awards ceremony at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington. The award was accepted by Edge Media Group’s John Morgan Francis. He thanked the KBA for the honor and noted he got his start with the company covering sporting events for the website.
