Looking back at 2021: Top stories of the year

Well, 2021 was better than 2020. Or at least sometimes it was. Here’s a look back at some of the biggest headlines (one list shows what you picked as a community, the other was voted on by our staff), and it’s a fairly even mix of feel-good stories, harder-hitting news, and significant news for Owensboro-Daviess County’s future.

Community-voted Top 10 stories of 2021

First, here’s what the community felt was the Top 10 stories of the year. (We picked out 20 based on what you read and interacted with the most on our platforms.) The outer loop actually got the most No. 1 votes, followed by the claim of being the Bluegrass Capital of the World. However, Nicky Hayden’s story was consistently ranked the highest to claim the top spot. Here are the full results of the poll as voted on by you.

1. Nicky Hayden inducted to Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
   • Owensboro’s Nicky Hayden was officially inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) in September. His MSHFA induction is the latest in a long line of honors Hayden has received posthumously since succumbing to injuries from a bicycling accident in May of 2017 while training in Italy. 
2. Outer Loop proposed, found not feasible; public not in favor of idea
   • After the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet asked public opinion on ‘outer loop’ for Owensboro, they were met with overwhelmingly negative feedback from many in the community. The loop was deemed not feasible at this time, though the final report showed a specific segment has potential for future development.
3. Charges filed against Family Court Judge Julie Gordon
   • Six charges have been filed against Family Court Judge Julie Hawes Gordon alleging abuse of power and misconduct. She has agreed to a temporary suspension from her duties until a final decision is reached. Two retired judges took over while she remains on temporary suspension.
4. Vaccines rolled out, nearly 57% have received shot
   • The first vaccines in Daviess County were technically administered in late December 2020, though they weren’t largely available to the public until this year. Nearly everyone is now eligible. As of the last report, a total of 56.64% of Daviess Countians had been vaccinated.
5. Chick-fil-A renovates current location; actively looking for new location
   • Chick-fil-A location told Owensboro Times they are actively pursuing a new location in the Owensboro area. Earlier in the year, the current Chick-fil-A underwent a $1.4 million remodel, including the installation of a two-lane drive-thru. 
6. Former Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain retires early
   • Former Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain announced in July he would not be seeking re-election next year. He later announced his early retirement effective Dec. 1, with Chief Deputy Major Barry Smith named his successor to finish out the term.
7. City of Owensboro declares itself Bluegrass Music Capital of the World
   • The City of Owensboro officially declared itself as the Bluegrass Music Capital of the World. A committee of community members has also been formed to help use that title to generate economic development. The project was completely paid for by private funding.
8. Arrests made, sentences handed out in murder cases 
   • Arrests were made and sentences were handed out on a handful of murder cases, including:
     • Matthew A. Adams pleaded guilty to the 2018 murder of Erica Owen and will serve life in prison without parole. 
     • Travon E. Anthony was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2018 murder of Todd Raley. 
     • Jaikorian J. Johnson is facing one count of murder and one count of attempted murder in the homicide of Corban Henry (his trial is next year). 
     • Dylan C. Howard was sentenced to 20 years in prison in relation to a fatal collision in March that killed three people, including two from Owensboro. 
     • Joshua Fuller is facing one count of murder for the homicide of Hannah Fuller (a trial date has not been set).
     • Gerald W. Stokes was charged with murder 
9. Notable and unique crimes
   • There were several notable and unique crimes this year, from a suspect who fled police and was found in Florida, to incidents at schools, and more. Here are some — but certainly not all — of those crimes.
     • Kentucky State Police and Owensboro Police Department had to search for a suspect that was considered armed and dangerous after a shooting incident at Wingfield Inn & Suites. He was found a few days later in Florida.
     • Two students were arrested and charged with felony terroristic threatening after an incident involving a fake gun and another “dangerous instrument” at Apollo High School.
     • A teenager was found with multiple stab wounds and another person had facial injuries from an incident in August. That same night, Owensboro Police Department also responded to two separate incidents of an occupied vehicle struck by gunfire, with neither resulting in injuries.
     • In a non-school-related incident, a victim was shot one time in the parking lot at Apollo High School after a football game.
     • A 65-year-old Owensboro woman was arrested for allegedly stabbing a man in a non-fatal incident.
10. Daviess County man harvests 23-point deer
    • Daviess County 25-year-old Neal Kirkpatrick’s big break came earlier this fall when a 23-point monster of a buck mosied below his deer stand during a “casual hunt.”

Staff-voted Top 10 stories of 2021

Here’s what the Owensboro Times staff picked as our Top 10. We had six of the same stories on our list, though mostly in a different order. Three of us chose Gordon’s story as No. 1, while two chose Hayden and one chose the Afghan refugees as the top story of the year. Here’s the full list of how we voted.

1. Charges filed against Family Court Judge Julie Gordon
2. Outer Loop proposed, found not feasible; public not in favor of idea
3. Owensboro exceeding refugee capacity; housing remains major issue
   • More than 160 Afghan refugees resettling in Owensboro are temporarily stuck at Comfort Suites because they haven’t secured permanent housing yet, through no fault of their own. Clerical errors have led to the city exceeding capacity for refugees, many of which are still waiting on their Social Security cards. Some landlords are hesitant to rent out their spaces, though there aren’t many to begin with. 
4. Arrests made, sentences handed out in murder cases 
5. Ellis Park announces plans for major entertainment venue in Owensboro
   • Ellis Entertainment has announced plans to open a new historical racing machine (“HRM”) entertainment venue. Ellis Entertainment Owensboro will include a new 60,000-square-foot racing and gaming destination located in the Towne Square Mall development.
6. Nicky Hayden inducted to Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
7. Community unites to host People’s Christmas Parade
   • First, it was announced the Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade was returning this year, but featuring static float displays. Then that was cancelled, with organizers citing a lack of community interest. Members of the community quickly formed a group to put on their own event called the People’s Christmas Parade. After the parade (video here), organizers said it exceeded expectations.
8. Chick-fil-A renovates current location; actively looking for new location
9. Vaccines rolled out, nearly 57% have received shot
10. Law enforcement announces most significant drug bust ever in Owensboro
    • Law enforcement announced the “most significant” drug bust in Owensboro history, with a trafficking organization caught with 151 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of counterfeit pills with suspected deadly fentanyl, and other drugs.