Master Commissioner Sales 11-29-2023

MASTER COMMISSIONER SALES

In order to comply with the orders of the Whitley Circuit Court, the Master Commissioner will sell the property described in the following action(s) on MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023 at the hour of 12:00 noon, at the door of the Whitley County Judicial Center, (new courthouse), 100 Main Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky.

For each sale- individually: The said property shall be sold to raise the amounts hereinafter set forth, together with interest and the costs of the action, and upon the (unless otherwise indicated) following terms and conditions.

(A)  At the time of sale the successful bidder shall either pay cash or make a deposit of 10% of the purchase price with the balance on credit for thirty (30) days. In the event the successful bidder desires or elects to credit the balance, he or she will be required to post bond and furnish an acceptable surety thereon. Said bond shall be for the unpaid purchase price and bear interest at the rate the judgment bears, from the date of sale until paid in full, and shall have the force and effect of a judgment. The bond interest rate charged on any unpaid balance is listed for each case shown in Upcoming Sales.

(B)  The purchaser shall be required to assume and pay all taxes or assessments upon the property for the (2024) year and all subsequent years after this sale. All other delinquent taxes or assessments upon the property for prior years shall be paid from the sale proceeds if properly claimed in writing and filed of record by the purchaser within ten (10) days from the date of sale.

(C)  The property shall otherwise be sold free and clear of any right, title, and interest of all parties to the action and of their liens and encumbrances thereon, excepting easements and restrictions of record in the Whitley County Court Clerk’s Office and such right of redemption as may exist in favor of the United States of America or the defendant(s).

(D) If the property does not bring two-thirds of its appraised value, a six (6) month right of redemption will exist pursuant to KRS 426.530 (revised July 15, 2014).

THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES WILL BE SOLD:

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, 34TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WHITLEY CIRCUIT COURT, DIVISION NO. I, CIVIL ACTION NO. 22-CI-395, FIRST STATE BANK OF SOUTHEAST, INC., PLAINTIFF, VS. ROBERT LYNN GRUBB, ET AL, DEFENDANTS. Pursuant to a Judgment and Order of Sale entered by the Whitley Circuit Court on November 8, 2023; The judgment against the Defendants, plus costs, is as follows: The sum in the amount of $19,983.64 as of October 19, 2023, plus interest of $58.40 from October 20 through November 6, 2023 ($20,042.04 total), plus any additional amounts permitted. Property Address: 44 Bunches Creek Rd., Williamsburg, KY 40769.  Parcel/Map ID#: 146-00-00-004.00

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COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, 34TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WHITLEY CIRCUIT COURT, DIVISION NO. I, CIVIL ACTION NO. 21-CI-608, MID SOUTH CAPITAL PARTNERS. LP, PLAINTIFF, VS. CARLUS E. VANOVER, ET AL, DEFENDANTS. Pursuant to a Judgment and Order of Sale entered by the Whitley Circuit Court on November 8, 2023; The judgment against the Defendants, plus costs, is as follows: The judgment for the fees/costs accrued relating to the Certificate(s) of delinquency for the tax year 2010, in the sum in the amount of $720.07, plus accrued interest in the amount of $957.60 through September 2022, administrative fees of $100.00, plus prelitigation attorney’s fees of $444.47; and tax year 2011 of $756.64, plus accrued interest in the amount of $915.97 through September 2022, administrative fees of $115.00, prelitigation attorney’s fees of $350.00, as well as litigation fees costs of $1,346.11, and reasonable attorney’s fees in the amount of $2,000.00, the total judgment as of the date of judgment being $7,705.86. Property Address: 301 Devils Creek Road, Corbin, KY 40701.  Parcel/Map ID#: 053-00-00-095.00

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COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, 34TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WHITLEY CIRCUIT COURT, DIVISION NO. II, CIVIL ACTION NO. 21-CI-357, WILLIAM D. MORGAN AND KAREN MORGAN, HIS WIFE, PLAINTIFFS, VS. KEVIN CRAINE, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF CAROLYN MORGAN; AND UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF CAROLYN MORGAN, DEFENDANTS. Pursuant to a Judgment and Order of Sale entered by the Whitley Circuit Court on March 24, 2023, and Orders entered March 2, 2023, May 2, 2023 and October 2, 2023; The judgment against the Defendants, plus costs, is as follows: The judgment is for a land partition pursuant to Orders of the Court, and the balance of the sale proceeds shall be distributed as indicated in the judgment herein. NO APPRAISAL WILL BE PREPARED FOR THIS SALE: BOTH TRACTS SOLD TOGETHER AS ONE- SALE. TRACT I: Property Address: 852 McKeehan Crossing Road, KY 40701; Parcel/Map ID#:  086-00-00-044.02; Containing approximately 2 acres more or less; Being the same property conveyed to Raleigh Morgan and Cindy Morgan by a deed from George Woods and Grace Woods dated October 17, 1997, of record in Deed Book 396, Page 303, Whitley County Clerk’s Office. TRACT II: Property Address: 852 McKeehan Crossing Road, KY 40701; Parcel/Map ID#:  086-00-00-044.02D1; Containing approximately 1 acre more or less; Being the same property conveyed to Raleigh Morgan and Cinda Morgan by a deed from Elizabeth Day dated April 8, 1998, of record in Deed Book 400, Page 413, Whitley County Clerk’s Office.

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COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, 34TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WHITLEY CIRCUIT COURT, DIVISION NO. I, CIVIL ACTION NO. 21-CI-365, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, PLAINTIFF, VS. UNKNOWN DEFENDANTS, WHO ARE THE HEIRS, LEGATEES, DEVISEES, OR SPOUSE OF FRANCIS CORDELLA STEPHENS AND THEIR SPOUSES AND ANY UNKNOWN PERSON WHO MAY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY, WHICH IS THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS ACTION, DEFENDANTS. Pursuant to a Judgment and Order of Sale entered by the Whitley Circuit Court on June 6, 2022, and subsequent Orders entered of record August 24, 2022, November 7, 2022, January 25, 2023, April 4, 2023, and November 8, 2023; The In Rem judgment against the Defendants, plus costs, is as follows: The principal sum in the amount of $44,209.65, plus property preservation in the amount of $14,790.51, plus interest in the amount of $4,584.55, plus escrow advance in the amount of $971.63, plus BPO/BK Fees/Utilities in the amount of 596.23, plus title charges in the amount of $225.00, plus Lis pendens recording fee in the amount of $46.00, plus court costs in the amount of $286.86, plus attorney fees in the amount of $2,240.00 for a total in the amount of $67,950.43, plus interest at the per diem rate of $6.06 from April 28, 2022 until the date of judgment and with a post-judgment statutory interest rate of 5% thereafter on the judgment amount until paid, plus any additional attorney’s fees and costs of collection, expenses, and disbursements by Plaintiff incurred from the date of the Plaintiff’s affidavit and any other amounts permitted. Property Address: 101 Browns Creek Rd, Williamsburg, KY 40769.   Parcel/Map ID#: 127-00-00-045.00

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COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, 34TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WHITLEY CIRCUIT COURT, DIVISION NO. I, CIVIL ACTION NO. 21-CI-578, APEX FUND SERVICES AS C/F CERES TAX RECEIVABLES, LLC, PLAINTIFF, VS.  DANIEL PERRY, ET AL, DEFENDANTS. Pursuant to a Judgment and Order of Sale entered by the Whitley Circuit Court on November 8, 2023; The judgment against the Defendants, plus costs, is as follows: The judgment for the fees/costs accrued relating to the Certificate(s) of delinquency for the tax year 2012, in the sum in the amount of $423.43, plus accrued interest in the amount of $482.71 as of April 20, 2023; plus administrative fees of $115.00, plus prelitigation attorney’s fees of $3,265.94; plus costs in the amount of $1,177.01, the total judgment as of the date of judgment being $5,464.09 as of April 20, 2023, plus interest at 12% on the actual purchase price of the certificate of delinquency. Property Address: 155 Bell Young Road, Emlyn, KY 40730. Parcel/Map ID#: 112-00-00-038.00

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COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, 34TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WHITLEY CIRCUIT COURT, DIVISION NO. I, CIVIL ACTION NO. 21-CI-610, APEX FUND SERVICES C/F CERES TAX RECEIVABLES, LLC, PLAINTIFF, VS. JOSE PEREZ AKA JOSE A. PEREZ, ET AL, DEFENDANTS. Pursuant to a Judgment and Order of Sale entered by the Whitley Circuit Court on November 8, 2023; The judgment against the Defendants, plus costs, is as follows: The judgment for the fees/costs accrued relating to the Certificate(s) of delinquency for the tax year 2013, in the sum in the amount of $1,524.19, plus accrued interest in the amount of $1,585.16; plus administrative fees of $115.00, plus prelitigation attorney’s fees of $3,926.50; plus costs in the amount of $1,071.51, the total judgment as of the date of judgment being $8,222.36, plus interest at 12% on the actual purchase price of the certificate of delinquency. Property Address: Clear View Drive, Corbin, KY 40701. Tract No. 34 of the Spruce Creek Estates. Parcel/Map ID#: 069-00-00-018.34

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COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, 34TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WHITLEY CIRCUIT COURT, DIVISION NO. I, CIVIL ACTION NO. 21-CI-611, MTAG AS C/F MDG-KY, LLC, PLAINTIFF, VS. JERRY RICHARDSON, ET AL, DEFENDANTS. Pursuant to a Judgment and Order of Sale entered by the Whitley Circuit Court on November 8, 2023; The judgment against the Defendants, plus costs, is as follows: The judgment for the fees/costs accrued relating to the Certificate(s) of delinquency for the tax year 2015, in the sum in the amount of $616.44, plus accrued interest in the amount of $499.32 as of 6/28/2023; plus administrative fees of $115.00, plus prelitigation attorney’s fees of $2,277.35; plus costs in the amount of $1,002.62, the total judgment as of the date of judgment being $4,510.73, plus interest at 12% on the actual purchase price of the certificate of delinquency. Property Address: 0 Mud Crk, Williamsburg, KY 40769. Parcel/Map ID#: 2463600-01

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COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, 34TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WHITLEY CIRCUIT COURT, DIVISION NO. I, CIVIL ACTION NO. 23-CI-003, DGS DEVELOPMENT, LTD., PLAINTIFF, VS. DANIEL W. STORM, ET AL, DEFENDANTS. Pursuant to a Judgment and Order of Sale entered by the Whitley Circuit Court on September 8, 2023 and a subsequent Order entered October 13, 2023; The judgment against the Defendants, plus costs, is as follows: The sum in the amount of $68,552.36, plus any attorney’s fees; Court costs associated, and pre-judgment interest and post-judgment interest at the rate agreed by the parties, plus additional amounts permitted. Property Address:  Lot# 9 Lucy Lay Hollow Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769. Parcel/Map ID#: 149-00-00-018.09

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Dated this 21st day of November, 2023.

HOWARD O. MANN, MASTER COMMISSIONER

WHITLEY CIRCUIT COURT

P.O. BOX 1344, CORBIN, KY 40702

PHONE: 606-528-0616

Legal Notices for 11-29-2023

CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG, KENTUCKY

BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETING

You are hereby notified that the Board of Zoning Adjustment for the City of Williamsburg, Kentucky, will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. in the Williamsburg City Hall Council Chambers, 423 Main Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky, to consider an appeal of the Zoning Administrator’s decision to issue a building permit for construction of a duplex on a vacant lot on High Street (also known as 32 High Street) in an R-2 (Duplex/Multi-Family Residential) District in Williamsburg, Kentucky.  Immediately after conclusion of the public hearing the Board of Adjustment will hold a meeting to consider/decide the appeal.

GAIL BORDES, CHAIRPERSON

ORDINANCE NO. 2023-12

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CORBIN, KENTUCKY, ESTABLISHING A PORTION OF 23RD STREET AS AN ONE-WAY STREET FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND MOTORISTS; ALL IN THE CITY OF CORBIN, KENTUCKY; SETTING FINE, JURISDICTION AND VENUE FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE

BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Corbin, Kentucky, as follows:

SECTION 1: That portion of 23rd Street in the City of Corbin, Kentucky, beginning at the bridge over Bacon Creek and continuing to the intersection of 23rd Street and Kentucky Highway 3041 (Corbin By-Pass) shall be one-way for vehicular traffic and motorists.

SECTION 2: The City Manager shall cause the proper signage to be placed at the above-described location in accordance herewith.

SECTION 3: All vehicular traffic, motorists and others shall abide by the above-described designation of a one-way travel for a portion of 23rd Street as set forth herein, and all general Commonwealth of Kentucky traffic regulations and laws related thereto.

SECTION 4: Any person in violation of this Ordinance shall be fined according to the existing City Ordinances relating to vehicular traffic violations and/or Commonwealth of Kentucky vehicular and motorist traffic regulations and laws.

SECTION 5: Whitley District Court shall have venue and jurisdiction to adjudicate all violations of this Ordinance.

SECTION 6: All Ordinances or portions of Ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed.

SECTION 7: This Ordinance shall take effect upon due passage and legal advertisement.

FIRST READING: 10/16/2023

SECOND READING: 11/20/2023

SUZIE RAZMUS, MAYOR

ATTEST: TORI BROCK, CITY CLERK

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO MINE

Pursuant to Application Number 918-0514

In accordance with KRS 350.055, notice is hereby given that Torchlight Energy Inc, 1658 Torchlight Road, Louisa KY 41230 has applied for a permit for a surface coal mining and reclamation operation located 2.50 miles north-west of Louden in Whitley County.  The proposed operation will add 31.50 acres of surface disturbance and will underlie an additional 89.00 acres making a total area of 120.50 acres within the permit boundary.

The proposed operation is approximately 2.0 miles North from KY 92’s junction with Maple Creek Road and located 0.10 miles northeast of Maple Creek.

The proposed operation is located on the Rockholds U.S.G.S. 7 ½-minute quadrangle map. The surface and underground area to be disturbed is owned by Thomas & Clara Hartung.  The operation will use the Highwall/Auger miner methods of surface mining.

This is the final advertisement of this application; all comments, objections, or requests for a permit conference must be received within thirty (30) days of today’s date. The application has been filed for public inspection at the Division of Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Middlesboro Regional Office, 1804 E. Cumberland Ave, Middlesboro, KY 40965.  Written comments, objections, or requests for a permit conference must be filed with the Director, Division of Permits, 300 Sower Blvd., Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.

High School Basketball Preview: Williamsburg Lady Jackets

The Williamsburg Lady Jackets are facing another reset this season, as first-year Head Coach Melissia Everage-Douglas takes over following a disappointing 11-20 season that saw the team winless in district play and in the bottom five of the district.

High School Basketball Preview: Williamsburg Yellow Jackets

Following a tough year with plenty of hard losses, the Williamsburg Yellow Jackets are hoping to rebound strong in Head Coach Anthony Hibbard’s second year at the helm.

Update: Fatal crash victim identified

A two-vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer in far eastern Whitley County Tuesday morning claimed the life of a Pineville woman.

Shortly before 9:30 a.m., the crash occurred on KY92E just east of Whitley East Elementary School.

Upon arrival and through investigation, Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers learned that a 2004 Ford pick-up truck, which was being operated by Linda Bedford, 52, of Pineville, had crossed the centerline. The pick-up truck collided with a 2015 Kenworth tractor trailer, which was being operated by Clyde Norman, 57, of Pioneer, Tennessee, according to a KSP release.

The Whitley County Coroner’s Office pronounced Bedford deceased at the scene.

For more information, see Wednesday’s edition of the News Journal.

Update: Two vehicle fatal crash closes KY92E

Update: As of 2:15 p.m., KY92E has been reopened and normal traffic flow has resumed.

Original story: Motorists traveling in eastern Whitley County are encouraged to seek an alternate route as KY92E is expected to remain closed for several hours due to a two-vehicle fatality involving a commercial vehicle, according to a Whitley County Sheriff’s Department release.

Shortly after 10 a.m., the sheriff’s department issued an alert on its Facebook page about the accident, which occurred just east of Whitley East Elementary School.

“At this time it is unknown how long the roadway will be closed,” the sheriff’s department release noted.

Motorists are urged to seek an alternate route, such as taking KY11 to US25E in Barbourville.

The sheriff’s department plans to issue an update once the road has been reopened.

Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement is on scene reconstructing the collision.

Southeast Kentucky Angel Investment Fund to launch with $680,000 federal grant

The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, in collaboration with its partners Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) and the Appalachian Investors Alliance, recently announced the launch of the Southeast Kentucky Angel Investment Fund.

The initiative has received a $680,000 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, marking a significant step forward in supporting the region’s emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The grant will provide the technical assistance necessary to establish and operate a professionalized, member-managed angel fund in Southeast Kentucky. With an initial capital infusion of $1 million in private investment funds and the potential to leverage an additional $4 million in private investment capital, this project is poised to drive economic growth and empower local entrepreneurs.

Dr. Geoff Marietta, Chief Impact Officer of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “This investment is a game-changer for Southeast Kentucky. The Southeast Kentucky Angel Investment Fund will provide local entrepreneurs with much needed risk capital, foster innovation, and create new opportunities for our communities. We are immensely grateful for the support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, which will enable us to take our vision to the next level.”

Colby Hall, Executive Director of Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), shared in the optimism, noting, “SOAR is committed to building a more vibrant, diverse, and resilient Appalachian Kentucky. The Southeast Kentucky Angel Investment Fund will provide the financial and intellectual capital necessary to accelerate economic development and entrepreneurship in our region. This partnership demonstrates our collective dedication to the future of Eastern Kentucky.”

The project aims to enhance leadership within the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem by tapping into the knowledge and experience of regionally-based accredited investors, subject matter experts, and deal-sharing networks. This infusion of not only financial but also intellectual capital is expected to contribute significantly to the growth and success of emerging businesses in Southeast Kentucky.

Jim Hart, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Appalachian Investors Alliance, emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying, “We believe that by joining forces, we can make a lasting impact on our region’s economic development. The Southeast Kentucky Angel Investment Fund represents a crucial step towards creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that will benefit all residents of Southeast Kentucky.”

The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, SOAR, and the Appalachian Investors Alliance look forward to the opportunities this grant presents for Southeast Kentucky and are eager to work together to support local entrepreneurs, stimulate economic growth, and make the region a hub of innovation, according to a news release.

The collaboration is currently looking to hire an Impact Investment Coordinator to help set up the fund.

For more information about the Southeast Kentucky Angel Investment Fund and its opportunities, please go to https://www.appalachianky.org/southeast-kentucky-angel-investment-fund.

New details regarding Chloe Darnell’s death revealed during preliminary hearing Monday

There was allegedly a pattern of abuse in the home where 4-year-old Chloe Darnell most recently resided before her untimely death, according to investigators, and though the cause of that death still remains unknown, preliminary autopsy results indicate Darnell had suffered multiple fractures to the head and ribs that were likely sustained before her body was buried in a makeshift grave.

Brittany Slaughter, 24, who had joint custody of Darnell at the time of her death, and Adam Hayes, 34, both of Williamsburg, have each been charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.

The pair appeared in Whitley District Court for a preliminary hearing Monday morning, where 

the events leading up to Darnell’s death were detailed during court testimony from Whitley County Sheriff’s Lt. David Lassiter, the lead investigator in the case.

Darnell and Slaughter were reported as missing earlier this month, prompting a welfare check at the Ova Lane residence in the Canadatown community they had both most recently been living at. Within days, a search warrant was obtained for the home, eventually leading to the discovery of Darnell’s body in a makeshift grave inside the Daniel Boone National Forest just outside Ridener Cemetery. 

During Monday’s hearing, Hayes was described as the disciplinarian in the home, according to information provided by Lassiter. Hayes would allegedly dole out said discipline to Darnell for soiling herself, sometimes often going overboard and requiring intervention from Slaughter. 

Such an incident allegedly occurred sometime the day Darnell died. However, the pair have told police that is not how Darnell died.

Lassiter said that both Slaughter and Hayes told police that Darnell’s death had been accidental. The pair each allegedly told police that Darnell had a habit of climbing onto a shelf in her room and jumping off of it. On the night she died, which Lassiter said the pair told police was sometime in August, she fell from the shelf while climbing on it.

Lassiter did not have the exact measurements of the shelf, but approximated that it was around 5 feet off the ground.

Slaughter and Hayes allegedly told police that they were “high” at the time of the incident and that they attempted to perform CPR on Darnell for several hours to no avail. They allegedly did not contact 911 because they were intoxicated.

A preliminary autopsy report could not determine Darnell’s cause and manner of death, though according to Lassiter, it did show that her skull had multiple fractures and that her ribs showed sign of separation and fracture. There were also noticeable blood spots on the bones, Lassiter said.

For the full details of Monday’s hearing, see the Nov. 29 edition of the News Journal.

Whitley County Public Health Inspections

As part of its duties, the Whitley County Health Department conducts routine public health inspections of various entities, including restaurants, stores, schools, mobile home parks, swimming pools, etc.

Last Empty Stocking Fund sign-up set for Wed. (Nov. 29) at old Corbin City Hall

If you have a less fortunate child and you missed the first two Southeast Kentucky Empty Stocking Fund sign-up dates, then you are in luck as you will have one more chance to do so next week.

On Wednesday, Nov. 29, the Empty Stocking Fund will be taking applications from those families, who missed or didn’t hear about the first two signup dates.

The signups will take place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the former district courtroom in the old Corbin City Hall off Main Street.

So far, 334 children have been signed up, but event organizers suspect that there may be another 150 children, who have not signed up yet.

Lots of volunteers are needed to help wrap presents on the evening of Friday, Dec. 15. The wrapping will take place at Immanuel Baptist Church starting about 6 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, volunteers will be needed to help hand out the gifts.

The Empty Stocking Fund will hand out gifts and other items on Dec. 16, starting at 11 a.m. for the first 100 families. The second group will start at 1 p.m.

Last year, the Empty Stocking Fund spent about $36,000 buying gifts for 465 children, and with inflation, organizers think they will need about $39,000 this year.