(CALVERT CITY, Ky.)-The Calvert City Council is moving forward with plans to extend the hours for alcoholic beverage sales within the city limits, following a request from Churchill Downs Inc. for the Marshall Yards Gaming Center currently under construction.
Alcohol Sales Hours Amendment
During the July 14, 2025 council meeting, members held an extensive discussion about extending alcohol sales hours and introduced an ordinance for its first reading. The proposed changes would extend drink sales from midnight to 2 a.m., Monday through Sunday, while keeping package sales cutoff at midnight.
Councilman Dustin Brown presented research on alcohol sales hours in surrounding communities, revealing a wide range of practices:
- Lexington: 6 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
- Paducah: 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. (on premise), 6 a.m. to midnight (off premise/package sales)
- Oak Grove: 6 a.m. to 3 a.m.
- Owensboro: 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight
- Murray: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Kuttawa: 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Sunday noon to 1:30 a.m.
- Eddyville: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. (on premise), midnight (off premise)
- Grand Rivers, Cadiz, Benton: 6 a.m. to midnight
- Madisonville: 6 a.m. to midnight, Sunday noon to midnight
- Daviess County: 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
When Councilwoman Neeta Hale asked Police Chief Mike Cannon about his concerns regarding extended hours, Cannon responded that he doesn’t expect it to burden the police department.
Following the discussion, Hale motioned to amend the ordinance as described, with Brown seconding the motion. The amendment passed without opposition and will proceed to a second reading for final adoption.
Historic Railroad Caboose May Find New Home
City Administrator John Ward reported that the Kentucky Railroad Museum at New Haven has expressed interest in acquiring the Illinois Central Gulf caboose owned by the city. The caboose has been parked at Rail Services for three decades and would require extensive restoration work before public display.
Councilwoman Hale expressed support for donating the caboose to the museum. The caboose was recently mentioned in discussions about creating a historic district within the city.
Other Council Business
Community Health Assessment: Marketing Director Blair Travis presented findings from the Marshall County Health Department’s tri-annual Community Health Assessment. The survey identified top community priorities as:
- Access to mental health care
- Access to healthy food
- Housing and transportation
- Access to physical health care and healthy activities
- Economic development and job training
- Reading skills development for youth
- Elder care
The assessment also highlighted key risk factors including alcohol, tobacco and drug use, abuse and neglect, poor nutrition, healthcare access issues, inadequate wages, housing insecurity, lack of exercise, distracted driving, and social media use.
Economic Development: Elizabeth Mudd from Kentucky Lake Economic Development provided an update on her organization’s work supporting local industries, though details of her presentation were not included in the meeting summary.
Infrastructure Updates: Utilities Superintendent Bobby Henson reported significant progress on the Lone Valley waterline project. Water is now circulating through the system after months of work, with the final meter connection completed. The department has begun dewatering one of the treatment lagoons to replace its lining.