It was another busy, but successful year in Todd County in 2024. This week, Your WEKT News Edge will look back at the top news stories from the previous year.
Listen or read the recap below:
JANUARY 2024
- Faith Love, an Elkton native, won $15,000 on the New Year’s Day edition of Let’s Make a Deal—a CBS game show.
- Five TCCHS students were selected to perform in the 2024 KMEA Third District High School All-District Honor Band. They included; Bella Cruz, Caitlin Orberson, Haley Orberson, Jeremy Tomlinson, and Tyler Hudnall. They performed at Western Kentucky University the first weekend of January.
- Four graduates of Todd County High Schools joined the Hall of Fame during a special ceremony in early January. They included; Nora Mae Fox, Wilmon Moore, Lieutenant Colonel Clyde Maxwell, and Dr. Susie Jackson Riley.
- WEKT was featured on an episode of This Week in Radio Tech. The podcast, for radio enthusiasts, featured Owner Beth Mann, Program Director Joshua Claussen, and Operations Manager Bill Booth. The show was hosted by Kirk Harnack and Chris Tarr and discussed the station’s commitment to Todd County and local radio.
- Award-winning local photographer Chad Fuller won first place in the 2024 Kentucky 811 calendar contest with a photograph of Todd County.
- Over the holiday break, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials opened U.S. 79 in Todd and Logan counties after finishing much-needed bridge replacements. KYTC District 3 reported that the five-bridge project represented an investment of over $18 million.
- John Morgan Francis was promoted to Team Leader for WEKT. Francis and his wife Sarah live in Hopkinsville.
- Elkton City Council announced that playgrounds at the Elkton City-County Park would look different after voting unanimously to award a contract to Miracle KY & TN out of Leitchfield, Kentucky, for the purchase and installation of new playground equipment at the park.
- 45-year-old Patrick Morris was arrested and charged with arson after a house fire on Old Allensville Road.
- The Tennessee Valley Authority announced that Sunday, January 21, 2024, set a record for weekend peak power demand, as temperatures averaged 12 degrees across their service area. Trenton resident and TVA spokesman Adam May said the utility provider recorded a peak power demand of 34,284 megawatts at 8:00 that morning.
- Now retired Todd County Emergency Management Director Daniel Smith shared plans for the Todd County LEADS or Local Emergency Assistance and Disaster Services, a nonprofit 501c3 organization that will focus on training, rapid coordination of local volunteers, and efficient short and long-term utilization of resources in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
FEBRUARY 2024
- As a part of the Elkton Rotary Club’s 100th anniversary, officials announced the creation of the Bryan Blount, III Century Club. Rhonda Werner, co-chair for the 2024 rotary auction, shared that community members could donate a minimum of $100 to participate in the fundraising effort.
- Joy Closet, a Hopkinsville organization, announced a partnership with Legacy Metals, to develop “Hope House” — a safe, comforting property for children that need a place of refuge upon immediate removal through Child Protective Services. The property will serve children across the region, including Todd County, with Christian County children getting top priority.
- The City of Elkton was presented with a 2023 Kentucky League of Cities grant. The $3,000 was used for a sidewalk replacement project.
- The Todd County Central High School Agriculture Science program received a $5,000 grant from America’s Farmers Grow Communities program offered by the Bayer Fund.
- Elkton resident and U.S. Air Force Colonel Ash Groves was awarded the Legion of Merit during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base, recognizing his superior performance as commander of an aircraft maintenance unit.
- The Todd County Chamber of Commerce saluted agriculture and the work of farmers and the agribusiness community during a breakfast held on February 20, 2024. Big Tractor Power YouTube channel founder Jason Hasert was the featured speaker.
- WRUS Radio mourned the loss of well-known broadcaster Don Neagle, who died at home. Neagle suffered a serious fall and was not able to recover. He hosted the morning show at the Russellville radio station for many years.
- The United Way of the Pennyrile announced they had raised over $735,000 during its 2023 campaign. The organization helps around 18 non-profits that serve Todd, Christian, and Trigg County residents.
- Mike McGhee, president of McGhee Engineering Inc. in Guthrie, was reappointed by Governor Andy Beshear to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Kentucky. His term will expire on January 1, 2028.
- Former North Todd Elementary Principal Bruce Voth announced his retirement at the end of the 2023-24 school year. He was replaced by Laura Boley.
- The Todd County Family Resources and Youth Services Center Backpack Program put out a plea for donations, and the Todd County Animal Clinic stepped up and raised $3,550 for the student food program with a raffle fundraiser.
- Historic Todd County, Inc. met its monetary goal to accept matches made by two unnamed people during its Leap Year Lunch. Member Carolyn Wells said they raised approximately $7,500, which included $3,500 in matching funds. The funds went toward the renovation project of the Historic 1835 Courthouse in Elkton.
MARCH 2024
- Historic Todd County, Inc. announced a walking tour featuring 45 locations in the Elkton Historic Commercial District and beyond. The organization said the tour showcases the city’s rich history and cultural heritage, focusing on historic buildings and other significant locations.
- Ham Broadcasting, Inc. announced its transition to employee ownership making the parent company of WEKT the only employee-owned media company in Kentucky and one of five in the country.
- United Southern Bank in Clifty was damaged in a fire caused by a downed power line. The bank has since re-opened but only features an Interactive Teller Machine and an ATM.
- WEKT Program Director Joshua Claussen was named the newest member of the Elkton Rotary Club. Fellow Rotarian Rhonda Werner and then-President Glenn Slack proposed his membership.
- Jennie Stuart Health in Hopkinsville opened an expanded emergency room, offering improved services. Emergency Department Director Rahkeem Francis said the project was a 16,000-square-foot addition to the hospital.
- The Elkton Rotary Club celebrated a successful 2024 scholarship auction. The group exceeded its goal by raising over $36,000, including numerous donations from community members and local businesses.
- Dr. Wendy Duvall, former assistant superintendent of Todd County Public Schools, was named superintendent of Owensboro Public Schools.
WEKT’s 2024 Year-in-Review is sponsored by: Kathy Morgan, of Modern Woodman of America, Southern Homes Realty/Back Country Builders, Blount Rural Health Center, City of Elkton, Todd County Attorney Jeff Traughber, Elkton Bank and Trust, Novelis, Todd County Health Department, and Todd County Public Library.
