The News Journal Blog – Page 110 of 3019

Rains sworn in as new WC Emergency Management Director

Whitley County officially has a new full-time emergency management director.

Following the retirement of former Whitley County Emergency Management Director Danny Moses at the end of July, the position has been filled in an interim role as a successor was sought. During that time, Felicia Fore, the county’s assistant 911 director, and T.J. Centers, an animal control officer for the county, had been working jointly to see that the position’s duties were met.

As of Dec. 15, however, Jerry Rains has taken over the role permanently.

Rains has a long background in emergency services, working as part of the Williamsburg Rescue Squad for many years and most-recently serving as a regional manager for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, which he retired from earlier this year.

Rains was formally sworn in as the county’s next emergency management director during the

Whitley Fiscal Court’s regular monthly meeting last Tuesday.

According to Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White, Jr., Rains was the right fit for the job.

“He served this region for a long time…and he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and we’re glad to have him,” said White. “I think he’s going to do well for us.”

Rains was hired following a full interview process that included meeting with a panel consisting of White, one county magistrate a several of the county’s first responders.

In other fiscal court business:

– A closed executive session was held to discuss the acquisition of property. White said that information regarding that property could not be provided until it has been finalized.

Jeffrey Lynn Pack

Jeffrey Lynn Pack, age 51, of White Oak (Duff), Tennessee passed away Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the Jellico Regional Medical Center. He was born August 22, 1972, in LaFollette, Tennessee.
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Jennings Louis Pack; and brother, Johnny Pack.
He is survived by his mother, Christine (Douglas) Pack; brother, Jimmy Pack and wife Lisa; nephews, Jamie Pack and wife Tina, James Pack and wife LeAnn; nieces, Rhonda Sharp and husband Gary, and Robin Griffith; great nephew and nieces, Jacob Pack, Chole Pack, and Sophia Pack; and a host of friends and family to mourn his passing.
Funeral service was Wednesday, December 27, at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James “Jimbo” Bolton officiating.
Burial was Thursday, December 28, in the Oddfellow Cemetery.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Water being restored in Williamsburg was no ‘Christmas miracle’

After several days of residents in the Highland Park area of Williamsburg being without water last week, I saw one headline describe the restoration of service as a “Christmas miracle.” It was anything but. (more…)

My wife and daughter gave me a big Christmas surprise

Here’s hoping you had a good Christmas. I had a total surprise from my daughter, Ashley, who lives in Connecticut.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

My wife Judy and Ashley wanted to surprise me, and they did. Friday afternoon I wanted to get out of the house. It was such a beautiful day. We were going to deliver some Christmas gifts to neighbors and Judy kept delaying us leaving the house.

After a while I said I was going out. I didn’t know I was about to upset a big surprise.

So, I go across the street to deliver a gift and at the same time my wife was quickly using her cell phone. A change of plans was taking place.

After walking up the driveway I came back toward the street and turned my back when suddenly a car drove up behind me and the driver barked, “Merry Christmas, Ho, Ho, Ho!”

I leaned in the window and said,”Who are you?” Ashley was wearing a Santa beard and hat and it never dawned on me that it was my daughter.

She burst out laughing and started to take off the Santa garb and for a second or two I still didn’t know it was her. Then I was thoroughly shocked when I recognized her.

What a pleasant surprise. Our two daughters, one from Lexington and one from Connecticut were here to spend Christmas with us.

To me, getting together is the best thing of all. Among the things we enjoyed was watching a Super 8 film that is over 50 years old of our daughter, Angie, doing the hula. She was four-years-old, wearing a pair of my boxer shorts and one of my hats while swinging that cute little behind.

With my sister, Wanda, and Judy’s sister, Jenny, along with our two daughters and grandson, Blake, and friend, Trent, it was a splendid Christmas.

The weekend started with Judy and I reading about love and lighting the fourth Advent candle at church, and then going to a wonderful candlelight service on Christmas Eve.

This preceded what was another wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Hoping yours was delightful too.

Billy L. Mitchell

Billy L. Mitchell, 89, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023, at The Heritage in Corbin, Kentucky.
Born December 14, 1934, in Knox County, Kentucky, Billy was the son of the late John F. and Rachel Ann Mitchell.
Billy began serving the Lord at the age of 15 as a pastor. Since 1955 up until the last few months of 2023, he was the pastor of Briar Creek Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
In addition to his father and mother, Billy was preceded in death by all his siblings: Ola Mitchell, Arthur Mitchell, Murrell Mitchell, Helen Mitchell, Luster Mitchell, Kenneth Mitchell, Willard Mitchell, Irene Foley, Roy Mitchell, and Ted Mitchell; three sisters-in-law: Opal Mitchell, Henriann Mitchell, and Heidi Mitchell; and brother-in-law, Arnold Foley.
He is survived by several nephews, nieces, his church family, his Huddle House friends in Williamsburg, and three special friends: Grant Kinksiek, Miguel Reis, and Buddy Kidd.
Loved by his family and friends, Billy will be deeply missed.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, December 28, at Briar Creek Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with Mike Wilson and Sam Lawson officiating. Burial will follow in Hart Cemetery in Corbin, Kentucky, with family serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 – 3 P.M. Thursday.
Hart Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.