Several counties in Western Kentucky were devastated Dec. 10-11, 2021, by some of the strongest tornadoes to hit Kentucky in recent memory. The shock of the news has given way to disbelief and grief as we see images of the utter devastation and learn of family, friends and co-workers who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses. Our hearts are especially heavy at the loss of District Judge Brian Crick, who was killed during the storm.
Graves County and its county seat, Mayfield, appears to have been hardest hit, with loss of life and widespread property damage. The Graves County Courthouse was damaged beyond repair.
This page provides information on court closures and how to help relief efforts. Check back here for updates.
Graves County Court Operations Resume Jan. 11
Graves County court operations resumed Jan. 11, 2022, a month after tornadoes ripped through Western Kentucky and irreparably damaged the Graves County Courthouse at 100 E. Broadway.
Circuit and District courts and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk were closed as of Dec. 13, 2021, to give the
Administrative Office of the Courts the opportunity to find and prepare temporary office space.
The Supreme Court of Kentucky issued Emergency Order 2021-43 to suspend court operations and Graves County has not accepted any court filings – conventional or electronic – during this time. The Supreme Court issued Amended Emergency Order 2022-02 on Jan. 7 to resume operations, including accepting court filings.
Court Proceedings
Court proceedings are being conducted remotely via phone and video or, if parties agree, in person in another county.
Office of Circuit Court Clerk
The Graves County Office of Circuit Court Clerk is serving the public at a temporary location at 1102 Paris Road, Suite 21, in Mayfield. Business hours are 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. CT Monday-Friday. The office is assisting the public by phone and in person by appointment. Contact the office at 270-247-1733.
Court Filings
To file court documents, use eFiling or place conventional paper filings in the drop box outside the building at the temporary location.
Driver’s License Services
Due to the storm damage, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has taken over issuing driver’s licenses and state ID cards for Graves County earlier than planned. Driver’s license services are no longer offered by the Graves County Office of Circuit Court Clerk. You can find more information here.
Driver's Credentials Lost in Storms
Residents who lost their driver's license or ID in the storms are eligible for a fee waiver when replacing their credentials. Gov. Beshear has issued
Executive Order 2021-939, which suspends the cost to obtain a duplicate state-issued operator's license, instruction permit and personal ID card until Jan. 28, 2022.
The waiver applies only to the residents of counties most impacted by the devastating storm damage. You can find a list of counties in the
Executive Order.
To make it easier to obtain replacement credentials, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has set up emergency driver’s licensing services in Dawson Springs, Madisonville and Mayfield. These popup services are walk-in only and no appointments will be made. To learn more, visit
here and look for Temporary Disaster Relief Locations. In addition, any KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Office across the state can assist individuals from any county. Learn more at
www.drive.ky.gov.
How You Can Help
You can help your fellow Kentuckians by giving blood and donating to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund at
TeamWKYReliefFund.ky.gov. Gov. Beshear established this fund to assist those affected by the tornados and the severe weather Dec. 10-11.
Brian Crick Memorial Fund
District Judge Brian Crick, 43, lost his life Dec. 11 when a tornado struck his home in Bremen, Ky. He had served McLean and Muhlenberg counties in Western Kentucky since 2011.
Tucker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and you can find Judge Crick's obituary
here.
“We were heartbroken to get the news that Judge Brian Crick lost his life during the storm," Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. said. “This is a shocking loss to his family, his community and the court system, and his family is in our prayers."
His wife, Amanda Crick, and their 17-year-old son sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Their daughter, 16, was not injured. Their 11-year-old son was safe, having spent the night away from home with a friend.
In response to requests about how to help, their church has set up a memorial fund through Sacramento Deposit Bank. All donations will directly benefit his wife and three children. Contributions can be made payable to the Brian Crick Memorial Fund and mailed to Sacramento Cumberland Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 257, Sacramento, KY 42372-0257.
“On behalf of Judge Brian Crick's family and our community, I want to thank everyone for the kindness and generosity they have shown over the past few days," said Circuit Judge Brian W. Wiggins, who serves the same jurisdiction. “The concern and sympathy demonstrated by so many in the Court of Justice have been truly overwhelming and humbling."
Judge Wiggins described his fellow judge as having “a very commonsense approach to his job. He was very respectful of the folks who appeared before him in his courtroom. Very down to earth. Very level headed." He said that Judge Crick had been in private practice and was a public defender for the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy before being elected to the bench.