Take Charge of Tomorrow: Nov. is Diabetes Awareness Month

November provides many opportunities to have gratitude for the wonderful things in our lives. It provides lots of opportunities to overindulge in things like pie, for which I am eternally grateful. November is also Diabetes Awareness Month.

Diabetes is a disease that happens when your blood sugar gets too high. Diabetes happens when your body cannot turn sugar into energy for your body to use. Instead that sugar or glucose, gathers up in your blood. The symptoms of diabetes are sneaky. They build so slowly over time you might not notice them. Sometimes you can be very thirsty or exhausted. Sometimes you pee a lot. Sometimes your vision gets blurry, or you have tingles in your toes or fingers. The only way to know if you have diabetes is for your health care provider to do blood tests.

Over 13 percent of Whitley County adults have diabetes. If you don’t manage diabetes, it can cause damage to your body, including your eyes, kidneys, nerves, vessels and heart. It is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States.

However, you can take charge of your health and manage your diabetes. You may even prevent it if you have been told you have pre-diabetes. Insurance plans are required to cover diabetes screening for adults ages 35 to 70 years old who are overweight or have obesity. Insurance must also cover diet counseling for adults at higher risk for chronic disease, like diabetes.

Managing your diabetes means having to manage your blood glucose. This is the test you can do with a finger poke or a wearable device. Your health care provider will tell you how often to measure your blood glucose and what number to aim for. A1C is a blood test ordered by a health care provider that tells you how well you have managed blood glucose over the last few months. Other important numbers to manage when you have diabetes are blood pressure and cholesterol.

All the important well-being scores can be improved through lifestyle habits. If you need to upgrade your health, start by setting small, realistic goals. Eating a healthy diet with sensible portions can moderate weight, which helps control diabetes. Choose foods that are low in sodium, added sugar and saturated fat.

Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. This could include walking fast or biking. Keep a diary of your food and activities.

Take your medicine. Diabetes is tricky. You don’t always feel bad, so sometimes it’s easy to ignore. If your health care provider has you taking medicines, you need to take them on schedule, even when you feel good. If you have trouble paying for your medicines, contact the Kentucky Prescription Assistance Program at 1-800-633-8100.

Get good sleep. Good sleep helps you make better choices, gives you more energy and reduces your stress. Not getting enough good sleep can make your diabetes harder to manage.

Tobacco use adds to complications from diabetes. If you use tobacco, reach out to the free Quit Line for free help to quit. You can visit www.quitnowkentucky.org or call 1-800-784-8669.

Take care of your mental health. Poor mental health can make diabetes worse. Not managing your diabetes can make mental health conditions worse too. You can visit whitley.crediblemind.com/topics/living-with-diabetes for resources to help with mental health.

Work with your primary care provider to set goals and help problem-solve if you are having trouble. Take a free diabetes self-management class from the Health Department. The classes are offered monthly and can be completed online from the comfort of your own home. Email diabeteshealthyliving2021@gmail.com for more information or to sign up.

Take charge of tomorrow by taking control of your diabetes. Avoid health complications and live a long, happy life. With pie.

For more information about diabetes, visit health.gov/myhealthfinder/health-conditions/diabetes

Devancil Moses

Devancil Moses, a lifelong resident of Williamsburg, Kentucky, was born on September 21, 1940, and passed away peacefully on November 17, 2023.
Known for his thoughtful demeanor, Devancil was a beacon of warmth in his community,
Devancil is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Barbara Moses; his children, Rodney Moses of Williamsburg, KY and Stacey Carman of Williamsburg, KY; and his beloved sister, Evelyn Marlow of Virgina. His legacy continues to live on through his grandchildren: Joseph Moses, Janathan Moses, Jessica Moses, Justin Moses, Jacob Moses, and Randy Moses; and his great-grandchildren: Breanna Woods, Zackery Moses, Conner Moses, Isaac Moses, River Hill, Lorwyn Hill, Lilly Carman, Madison Carman, Kayson Moses, Samantha Moses, Randell Moses III, Devan Moses, and Ian Moses.
Devancil was preceded in death by his parents, Columbus and Edna Moses; his son, Randell Darrell Moses, and his great-grandson, Malachi Hagan Moses.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 21, at 5:00pm at Croley Funeral Home, located at 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
The funeral service will commence the following day, Wednesday, November 22, at 1:00pm at Croley Funeral Home with Rev. Marion Cook, Rev. Mike Moses and Rev. David Napier officiating.
Following the service, Devancil will be laid to rest at Little Wolf Creek Church of God Church Cemetery in Williamsburg, Kentucky, at 2:00pm.
We invite you to share your memories of Devancil and upload photos to his memorial page, as a testament to his thoughtful life and the love he shared with all. His spirit will continue to inspire us, reminding us of the importance of compassion and kindness in our daily lives.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Baptist Health Corbin awarded for its work to put an end to rural health disparities

People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than urban counterparts and face a 30 percent increased risk for stroke mortality — a gap that has grown over the past two decades. Baptist Health Corbin is committed to changing that.

For efforts to improve stroke care and eliminate rural health disparities, Baptist Health Corbin has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition bronze award.

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, recognizes that people in rural areas face a unique set of challenges to accessing health care and that rural hospitals must work with varied patient care dynamics. For that reason, all rural hospitals participating in Get With The Guidelines® are eligible to receive award recognition focused on a unique set of performance metrics.

“We are proud that our team at Baptist Health Corbin is being recognized for the important work we do every day to improve the lives of people in the tri county area who are affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chance of recovery and survival,” said Teres Cobb, RN, Executive Director of Nursing.  “Meeting the unique needs of our community is critical to improving health outcomes.”

Learn more at heart.org/ruralrecognition.

One Big Give brings in more than $360k for students

Tuesday, Nov. 7, was one big day for students at University of the Cumberlands. The university’s annual Give Day – this year, nicknamed One Big Give – brought in $360,120 to fund student scholarships, workship positions, athletics, ministries, and more. Of that amount, $225,120 came from individual donors, with an additional $135,000 in matching gifts.

“The generosity of our donors on One Big Give Day was simply incredible,” said Bill Stohlmann,” Vice President of Development at Cumberlands. “Donors bridge the gap between students and a college education. Many students are only able to attend college because the workship or merit scholarships they qualify for bring college within their financial reach. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to our students’ success on Give Day. Your generosity genuinely changes lives!”

As with every Cumberlands Give Day, 100 percent of the money raised for One Big Give will go toward students and university initiatives that benefit the campus and the local community. A total of 1,987 donors gave nearly 1,900 gifts during the campaign.

It’s because of donors that many students can attend Cumberlands in the first place, and the benefit goes beyond scholarships.

The school hosts programs like Mountain Outreach, which improves the community through housing repairs, new homes, and meals; Shoes 4 the Soul, an annual event that provides new shoes, socks, and hygiene items to local schoolchildren in need; and work opportunities on campus that give students real-world skills and prepare them for lives of servant-leadership.

The majority of donations went toward athletics programs, with many alumni and friends of the university helping to surpass that overall goal to raise over $112,000. Academic departments and student scholarships combined for more than $65,000 raised. The Class of 2023 raised the most funds throughout the Class Year challenge, followed by the Class of 2010.

The students, staff and faculty at Cumberlands are thankful to everyone who contributed to One Big Give Day. Thanks to donors, the lives of students and alumni will be transformed for generations, UC wrote in a release.

Sweet Dreams: Chelsea Taylor asking for votes in upcoming Greatest Baker competition

“I was in tears. I didn’t believe it at first.” That is how Williamsburg’s Chelsea Taylor described the moment when she found out that she will soon have a chance at winning $10,000 and a Q&A with one of her childhood idols, celebrity Chef Buddy Valastro. (more…)

Whitley County business among Invest 606 Accelerator and Pitch Contest finalists

Invest 606, a business accelerator and pitch contest serving Eastern and Southern Kentucky, has announced 14 business finalists, who have a chance to win over $30,000 in cash prizes through its pitch contest, including one Whitley County business, one Knox County venture, and four Laurel County businesses.

Jennifer Baker and Amy Gray are the owners of Jennielyn Boutique. Located in Whitley County, Jennielyn Boutique is a sister-owned small clothing/bridal/formal wear boutique that is passionate about serving others and always putting customer service at the forefront.

Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Invest 606 provides support to the businesses with six months of training and services. A $15,000 grand prize, $8,000 second place prize, and $4,000 third place prize will be awarded to the 14 finalists completing the accelerator, along with thousands of dollars in cash and other prizes. To be eligible to apply, the finalists had to be based in the 606 area code.

The selection process involved a competitive review among a panel of judges who are business and economic leaders in the state and region. The 14 finalists are based in nine different counties in the region including: Boyd, Casey, Clay, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Perry, Rockcastle and Whitley.

Combined, they employ more than 46 people and generate more than $865,000 in annual revenue. The businesses represent 10 different industries including agriculture, arts, entertainment, healthcare, retail, and technology. The finalist businesses and owners are:

• Jennielyn Boutique: Jennifer Baker and Amy Gray – Whitley County
• Tri-County Mystery Meets: Cat Rhoden Goguen and Cofounders Chris Campbell, Debbie Brown Meritt, Kim Miller, and Brooke Cole Stansbury – Knox County
• Bluegrass Discovery Center: Maryann and James Hendrix – Laurel County
• Hansen’s Harvest KY: Josh and Cynthia Hansen – Laurel County
• Mountain Gap Coffee Company: Evan Sparkman – Laurel County
• Prodigy27 LLC DBA ProRes: Lucas Magee and Corey Robinson – Laurel County
• Acres of Grace Farm: Lisa and Amy Bourque – Clay County
• Appalachian Apparel Co: Joseph McKenney – Perry County
• Firefly Hills RV and Glamping Park: Tonja and Troy Lesmeister – Jackson County
• Parsons Pastures: Sarah and Adam Parsons – Rockcastle County
• Ready Set Play: Joey Jones – Perry County
• Simply Kneaded Massage: Alyx Kenner – Casey County
• Sylvatica Forest Farm: Joana Amorim and Michael Beck –  Rockcastle County
• The Tipton Creative, LLC: Madeline Tipton – Boyd County

Over the next six months, the finalists will complete an individualized and flexible training plan. They will present their business to the public at a Demo Day on Feb. 4, in Hazard. The final pitch contest will be held on April 27.

Invest 606 is founded and led by Dr. Geoff Marietta with the mission to catalyze business growth in Eastern Kentucky by connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed today and grow tomorrow. Marietta is the Chief Impact Officer at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, which counts Invest 606 as one of its impact investment initiatives.

“We are celebrating five years of amazing entrepreneurs in Eastern Kentucky. This fifth cohort shows the incredible diversity and innovation of businesses growing and succeeding in the region,” said Marietta. “There are now 55 businesses that have participated in Invest 606 representing 23 different counties, 220 employees, and $5.9 million in total revenue. The future of Kentucky’s 606 region is brighter than ever.”

A full list of the Finalists and their businesses can be found at https://www.appalachianky.org/2024-finalists/. Anyone interested in the events and the accelerator contest may learn more by visiting their website or following Invest 606 on Facebook.

The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky is a founding partner of Invest 606, alongside the James Graham Brown Foundation and The University of the Cumberlands.

Diamond in the rough: Corbin native Spencer Diamond making waves as an up-and-coming R&B artist

Back in 2014, Spencer Diamond was a senior at Corbin High School. He was a member of the inaugural Redhound swim team, and in an interview former Head Coach Kyle Yeager was quoted in the News Journal, saying, “…Diamond is my distance swimmer, when he isn’t busy flirting with girls and trying to sing during practices.” (more…)

Rodney Lee Searles

Rodney Lee Searles, born on March 8, 1968, in Lakeland, Florida, was a beacon of hope and help in his community and a cherished member of his family.
Known for his bravery, compassion, and unwavering commitment to his vocation, Rodney spent 25 dedicated years as an Emergency Medical Technician. His life was a testament to the quote, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” No truer words could be spoken about Rodney, who made the conscious choice every day to put the lives of others before his own.
Rodney resided in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and was an integral part of the Whitley County EMS and Ambulance Inc. His work, although challenging, was his passion, and his dedication was unyielding. He was a source of strength and stability in the most uncertain of times, for both his colleagues and the countless lives he touched. Outside of his career, Rodney was a man of many interests, but his heart was always drawn back to his work, his true calling. His life was the embodiment of the quote, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Rodney is survived by his mother, Verla Searles; his siblings, Angie Searles, Bobby (Regina) Searles, and Randy Searles. He also leaves behind his children, Mitchell (Katie) York, and LeeJay (Selena) York. His family extended to his beloved nieces, Cheyann, Nicole, Lacey, Erika, Miranda, and nephews Kyler, Zachery, Trey, Asher, and Quentin.
Rodney was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Searles; his uncle, James Denker; and his grandparents, Phyllis Grubb and Henry Denker.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 1:00 pm at the Croley Funeral Home, located at 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky. This will be followed by the funeral service at 3:00 pm at the same venue with Chaplain Rodney Goodlett officiating.
A private graveside service will take place at 4:00 pm at the Croley Addition Highland Park Cemetery.
Rodney’s life was one of service, of love, and of dedication to his community. His memory will forever be a reminder to us all of the power of compassion and the strength of the human spirit. In celebration of Rodney’s life, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos on his memorial page. Your stories, pictures, and tributes will serve as a testament to the remarkable man Rodney was, and the indelible impact he left on those around him.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

George William Blankenship

George William Blankenship, age 67, of Newcomb, Tennessee passed away Thursday, November 16, 2023, at his home.
He was born August 21, 1956, in Jellico, Tennessee.
George was preceded in death by, Audrey Blankenship; and mother, Etta Jean (Blakely) Blankenship.
He is survived by wife, Cathy (Douglas) Blankenship; son, John Blankenship and wife Stephanie; grandson, Weston Blankenship; brothers, John Blankenship, Ray Blankenship and wife Deliah, Jerry Blankenship and wife Amanda; sisters, Birta Minks and husband Ed, Faye Shelton and husband Allen; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his passing.
No services are planned per George’s request.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Jerome (Jerry) Hlava

Jerome (Jerry) Hlava, age 81, passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Baptist Health Corbin after a brief illness.
Jerry was born in Lakewood, Ohio, on December 14, 1941, to the late Ludwig and Antonia Hlava.
He was a retired supervisor of shipping and receiving with American Greetings Corp. and a part-time maintenance operative with City Utilities Commission.
Jerry was a veteran of the United States Army, who served his country proudly during the Vietnam War.
He is survived by his wife, Donna McKeehan Hlava; his sister, Maryann Beachy; his loving children: Adam Hlava, Jennifer (Jeff) Durham, and Diane (Sean) Swinney; step-children: Allen Wyatt and Laneve (Anthony) Rose; his 12 grandchildren: Zachary (Mallory Faith) Hlava, Mallory Hlava, Jake (Brittany) Arnold, Ryan Swinney, Brandon Durham, Kyle Durham, Camron (Eli) Campbell, Jayden Wyatt, Tyler Wyatt, Kenli (Dalton) McIntosh, Ashley Rose and Laykin Rose; and four great-grandchildren: Oaklee Arnold, Cecilia McIntosh, Lily McIntosh and Casey Hlava. Several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn his passing.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Ludwig and Antonia Hlava, and his siblings: Julius Hlava, Helen Fedorko, Louis Hlava, Frank Hlava, Agnes Matus, Ruth Taylor, Robert Hlava and Patricia Woike.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00pm on Sunday, November 19, at Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home. Funeral service will begin at 11:00am on Monday, November 20, at the funeral home with Rev. Andrew Darden officiating.
Military honors will be conducted by D.A.V. Chapter 158 of Keavy, KY.
Interment will follow at Cumberland Memorial Gardens in Lily, Kentucky.
Arrangements by Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home, where messages of condolence may be sent to the family at vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com.