Mr Magnier asserted his longstanding connection to the land and detailed how he believed he had reached a handshake agreement with the owners, saying, "We came to an understanding, which I believed was binding, and I had every intention to follow through with it."
The situation raises concerns as the state's middle-mile broadband network, KentuckyWired, faces potential disruptions, threatening connectivity for government offices and essential services.
The president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, Vincent Vallelong, said the proposal to have his members, whom he says are already overburdened given their declining numbers, work the longer shifts would risk further burnout and also risk their health and safety.