Good examples of what athletics is really all about

Sports. When we talk about them, discussion typically involves statistics, win-loss records, championships, etc., etc., etc. And while all of that may be the reasons WHY athletic competitions exist, it only scratches the surface when considering WHAT is being accomplished. (more…)

Corbin Public Library hosts annual Ghost Tour

The Corbin Public Library hosted its annual Ghost Tour throughout Corbin last week that drew interest from several local residents, including many, who donned costumes of their own for the event.

Keep On Jeepin’ On…: 30th Annual Gateway to the Cumberlands Jeep Jamboree a huge success

Photos by TIMOTHY WYATT

Hundreds of Jeeps descended upon Williamsburg last Thursday for the 30th Annual Gateway to the Cumberland Jeep Jamboree event. According to organizers, this year’s jamboree boasted more than 400 people representing 26 states, once again making Gateway to the Cumberlands the biggest Jeep Jamboree in not only the nation, but the world. According to Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison, the jamboree was once again a triumphant success and there were no known issues during the course of this year’s event.

Whitley County sued in federal court for wrongful death of inmate in 2021

Whitley County, a former jailer, several deputy jailers, the jail’s healthcare provider and some of the healthcare providers employees are being sued in federal court for the alleged wrongful death of an inmate at the Whitley County Detention Center nearly two years ago.

Fun gun safety event planned at noon Saturday at Kentucky Splash

In the wake of the shooting death of a two-year-old by a three-year-old last month in Whitley County, a group of local agencies are holding an event Saturday in Williamsburg in an effort to increase gun safety, and provide some fun activities for local youngsters.

The Department of Community Based-Services (DCBS) will be holding its first ever Gun Safety Halloween Event from noon – 2 p.m. at the Kentucky Splash waterpark. Organizers are hoping to make it an annual event.

“DCBS would like to invite the community to an educational event on gun safety. This will be a free event where we will have local speakers from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Corbin Police Department, McCreary federal prison, Judge Cathy Prewitt and Mayor Roddy Harrison. After presentations, we will have a trick or treating event provided by our community partners,” DCBS wrote on an event flier.

The event will also include face painting, a photo booth, and door prizes.

On Sept. 7, two-year-old Milo Brooks died after a three-year-old gained access to a firearm that had been left unattended and shot him to death, according to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.

The shooting occurred at a home on Martins Drive, just inside the Whitley County line near the KY312 bridge.

It is not yet known if any criminal charges will be filed in the case, according to Whitley County Sheriff Bill Elliotte, who said that he will be consulting with Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling once the investigation is complete.

“I will meet with him and we’ll go over it and he’ll make a decision on what to do,” said Elliotte. “He actually came to the scene, so he’s familiar with it.”

WCHS graduate being considered for National FFA position

A recent Whitley County High School graduate is currently vying for one of the few available spots as a National FFA officer, marking the first time someone from Whitley County has been considered for a position at the national level.

Each year, every state’s FFA association can submit one individual to take part in an extensive interview process with the National FFA Officer Nominating Committee for the opportunity to be selected for one of six spots among the rank of national officers.

This year, Leslie Monhollen, who graduated from WCHS in 2022, has a chance to fill one of those spots. Monhollen is the first candidate from Whitley County and only the third from the FFA region to ever be considered as a potential national officer.

Monhollen spent her entire high school career as part the FFA chapter at WCHS, acting at one time as the chapter’s president before assuming a role as the regional FFA president. She most recently served as an officer for the Kentucky FFA as state sentinel.

According to ffa.org, the process for becoming a national officer is arduous.

“It takes a highly motivated person to become a successful National FFA officer—an opportunity afforded to few members,” the website states.

Monhollen is among 35 candidates being considered for one of the six national officer spots. The selection process begins this weekend as the leadup to the National FFA’s Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The WCHS FFA chapter held a celebratory lunch Tuesday morning in honor of Monhollen’s achievement, where school administrators and community members came together to see Monhollen off before she heads to Indianapolis. During the gathering, Monhollen spoke to the News Journal about her experience thus far in being named a finalist, which she called “a privilege and an honor.”

“It means a little more when you get to represent people that aren’t always represented,” said Monhollen. “One thing I’ve learned throughout this experience and this opportunity is that not everybody knows that their dreams are possible, so I think it’s really important, at this level, I get to display to others that it’s okay to dream big, it’s okay to go after things you want and people will help you get there. I think my situation and this opportunity is a product of that.”

Monhollen currently attends the University of Kentucky, where she is majoring in agricultural education. If she is selected to serve in one of the six spots, she will be taking a gap year from college to allow for her to fulfill her duties as a national officer.

National officers spend over 300 days of the year travelling and meeting with FFA chapters all over the country. That time is spent representing student membership during meetings with the National FFA Board of Directors, facilitating worships that bring leadership and knowledge to FFA member and deliver motivational speeches, according to ffa.org.

Brian Prewitt, vo-ag teacher at WCHS and advisor over the school’s FFA chapter, said that he believes Monhollen’s hard work may have opened the door for other candidates from Whitley County being considered in the future and noted he was pleased to see her efforts pay off.

“It just takes that first kid to pave that path, so to speak. And she was one of those kids, from the get-go as a freshman, one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever seen,” said Prewitt. “She put all she had into it…and she takes advantage of any opportunity she’s presented with.”

The field of 35 candidates will be halved sometime next Monday, with the remainder of the candidates going through a rigorous interview process until the six officers are announced at the final day of the convention on Nov. 4.

Area runners qualify for this week’s KHSAA state cross country meet

On Saturday, Oct. 21, runners from Corbin, Williamsburg, Lynn Camp and Whitley County high schools made the trip to Cave Lake Park in Wayne County to compete in this year’s regional championship cross country meet. (more…)

Legal Notices for 10-25-2023

PUBLIC NOTICE:

Stop and Go, LLC, Mailing address 440 Richmond Road, Manchester, KY 40962 Hereby declares intention to apply for a NQ Malt Beverage Retail Package License no later than November 1, 2023, The business to be licensed will be located at 775 S. 10th Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769 doing business as Williamsburg Food Mart.  The (owner(s); Principal Officers) are as follows: Maneesh Maggo of 187 Blackberry Lane, London, KY 40741. Any person, association, corporation, or body politic may protest the granting of the licenses by writing the Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, Ky. 40601, within 30 days (KRS 243.430) of the date of this legal publication.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO MINE

Pursuant to Application Number 918‐0511, NW_1

In accordance with KRS 350.055 notice is hereby given that Alden Resources LLC, 332 West Cumberland Gap Parkway, Suite 100, Corbin, Kentucky 40701 has applied for a new permit (NW) for a surface contour, auger/highwall coal mining and reclamation operation. The new permit encompasses 89.58 acres of surface disturbance and 198.18 acres of Auger/HWM (shadow area). The permit is located approximately 2.0 miles east of Williamsburg in Whitley County.

The proposed operation is approximately 3.75 East of KY Hwy 25 junction with KY 92 and located 0.16 miles North of the confluence of Bradford Branch with the Cumberland River.

The proposed operation is located on the Williamsburg, Saxton and Rockholds, KY 7½ minute quadrangle maps. The operation will use a combination of contour, and auger/highwall miner methods of surface mining. The surface and auger/highwall mining area is owned by J. Andrew Croley and, his wife, Tracy Croley.

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 Department for Surface Mining and Reclamation and Enforcement’s, Middlesboro Regional Office, 1804 East Cumberland Avenue, Middlesboro, Kentucky 40965‐1229. Written comments, objections or requests for a permit conference must be filed with the Director, Division of Mine Permits, 300 Sower Boulevard, 2nd Floor Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.

W’burg man accused of trying to use movie prop money to make real purchase

An investigation into someone trying to use movie prop money to make a real purchase at a local travel center led to the discovery of drugs and the arrest of a Williamsburg man Thursday.

I-75 bridge deck restoration continuing through Oct. 31 in Whitley County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 11 Office advises motorists that lane closures will continue to occur on I-75 northbound at mile point 14.56 in Whitley County through Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Driving lanes will be reduced to 10 feet wide across the bridge with temporary barrier wall placed on the bridge deck. Wide loads will not be permitted past exit 11 in the northbound direction. Detour signage is in place.

The speed limit will be reduced to 55 miles per hour and double fines will be strictly enforced in the project area.

Motorists are advised to use caution during this period and be aware of signage, road crews and other drivers. The work is dependent on weather conditions.

The date, time, and duration of work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.

Motorists can access travel and traffic conditions at http://goky.ky.gov or contribute their own reports at www.waze.com or via the Waze mobile application. You can also get traffic information for District 11 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict11 or by following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict11.