Whitley County Health Department 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.

If everyone does a little, it’ll help a lot

I have had the opportunity in recent weeks to chat with a few different folks about various ongoing efforts in our local communities. (more…)

Jerry Lynn Hale

Jerry Lynn Hale, known to all as Jerry, was born on May 4, 1961 in Jellico, Tennessee and departed from us on October 3, 2023.
He was a resident of Williamsburg, Kentucky for 62 years, where he worked passionately as a self-employed logger. His love for the great outdoors and the solitude of nature mirrored the words of John Muir, “The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
Jerry was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and partner. He is survived by his children: Christy Hale, Dale Hoover, and Charity Bowlin; his grandchildren: Jordan Hale, Caden Allen, Parker Hoover, Keely Hoover, Lainey Hoover, Trinity Wynn, and Luke Thomas; his sisters: Mable McKillop, Pauline Carpenter (Arvil), Margie Lambdin (Bernley), Joann Carrol (Bruce), Betty Reynolds (Brady), Judy (twin), Charlene Rose (Vernon), and Tammy Hargens (Terry); his brothers: Floyd Hale (Sandra), Stanley Hale (Brenda), and Charles Hale; and his fiancé, Sheila Todd.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Earl and Irene Hale, and his brothers, Bobby, Lloyd, Earl Jr., Cornelius, and Willard Hale.
Visitation will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023 at 6:00 PM at the Croley Funeral Home located at 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
A funeral service will follow on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the same location.
The interment will take place on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 3:00 PM at the Hale Family Cemetery located at Doc Siler Road, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “It is not length of life, but depth of life.” Jerry’s life was one of depth and love, filled with family, nature, and hearty work. May his spirit dwell in the peaceful wilderness he loved so dearly.
We encourage friends and family to share their memories and upload photos of Jerry to his memorial page. Your stories and pictures will serve as a source of comfort and a treasured keepsake for all who knew and loved him.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Roger Fred Johnson

Roger Fred Johnson, a loving, thoughtful, and dedicated man of 75 years, was called home on October 5, 2023.
Born in Corbin, KY, on July 26, 1948, he was the cherished son of the late Fred and Estalene Johnson. Roger was a man of faith and a dedicated member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
Roger resided in Rockholds, Kentucky, and dedicated his professional life to the Formica industry, where he was respected for his dedication and hard work. He was married to his beloved wife, Joy Johnson, who survives him. Roger was a pillar of strength and love for his family. He leaves behind his loving wife, Joy, and his affectionate family pet, Buzzy. His memory will also be cherished by his siblings: Barbara (Allan) Steely, Brenda (Donnie) Hill, Virginia (David) Paul, and Randy (Brenda) Johnson. He was also loved and will be missed by his sister-in-law, Betty Johnson, and brother-in-law, Dallas Mink. Several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn his passing. Roger was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Estalene Johnson, and his brother, Russell Johnson.
Roger’s life was a living example of a Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32 — “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” He was the embodiment of these words, spreading love and kindness wherever he went. His loving, thoughtful, and dedicated spirit will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and upload photos of Roger on his memorial page. Your stories and pictures will serve as a comfort to those who loved him and as a testament to his wonderful life.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Sue (Terry) Yancey

Carolyn Sue (Terry) Yancey, age 75, of Pioneer, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at her home.
She was Born April 4, 1948, in Pioneer, Tennessee.
Sue was preceded in death by son, Bart Cleavland Yancey; grandchild, Amy Marie Yancey; father, Polly Amos Terry; mother, Mary (Osborne) Terry; brothers, Sam Terry, and Bobby Terry; sisters, Shirley Powell, Judy Terry, and Polly Marie Yancey.
She is survived by husband, Larry Yancey; son, Matthew Yancey and Glenna Welden; daughter, Amy Campbell and Clarence Pyle; grandchildren, Mathia Yancey, Samuel Campbell and wife Abby, Tyler Campbell, and Jacob Pyle; great-grandchild, one on the way; brothers, Lonnie Terry and wife Margaret, Jimmy Terry and wife Darlene, Danny Terry and wife Margaret; sisters, Kathy Bolton and husband Roger, Debra Holmes and husband John; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn her passing.
Funeral service was Saturday, October 7, at Harp Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Junior Dople and Rev. David Chambers officiating.
Burial followed in the Valley View Cemetery in Pioneer, Tennessee.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Donnie Ray Naill

Donnie Ray Naill, age 71, of Somerset, Kentucky and formerly of the Mudd Creek Community of Williamsburg, Kentucky passed away Monday, October 2, 2023, at his home.
He was born August 8, 1952, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Donnie was preceded in death by his father, Albert Eugene Naill; mother, Helen Louise (Kennedy) Naill; and twin brother, Ronnie J. Naill, Sr.
He is survived by daughter, Donna Cunningham and Randy Adkins, II; grandchildren, Tony Damron, Corey Damron, Brittney Cunningham, Gabrielle Cunningham, and Courtney Miller; great-grandchildren, Michael Ayers, Leona Harris, Koleson Beaty, Olivia Damron, and Asher Damron; mother of his daughter, Deborah Stewart; sister-in-law, Brenda Naill; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his passing.
A memorial service was held Sunday, October 8, at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Law enforcement honored for seat belt, child restraint enforcement

More than 100 Kentucky state and local law enforcement officers were recently honored for extraordinary efforts to protect drivers and their passengers, including Williamsburg Police Officer Bryson Lawson.

The occasion was the Governor’s Occupant Protection Enforcement Awards, held at the Embassy Suites in Lexington. Those receiving awards represented 91 law enforcement agencies.

“Our law enforcement are the heroes who work to keep our families safe by ensuring everyone is buckling up and using correct car seats and boosters for children,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. “Their efforts are saving lives and I am grateful as Governor, and as a dad, for their dedication to our commonwealth and our people.”

Awards were presented by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) to those with the most occupant protection citations in each agency and in each division from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. Award recipients received a plaque, while the top division winners were presented with the Highway Safety All-Star Award – a commemorative baseball bat from Louisville Slugger.

“Congratulations to Officer Bryson Lawson on winning the 2023 Governors Award for Occupant Protection Enforcement. Officer Lawson led the department in issuing the most citations for seat belt and child booster seat violations,” the Williamsburg Police Department wrote on a Facebook post.

Other area officers receiving awards included: Barbourville Police Patrolman Charles Colby Patterson, Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Noah Ritchie, London Police Sgt. Andrew Jackson, Middlesboro Police Lt. Barry Cowan, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement East Region Inspector Justin Kilgore, KSP Post 10 (Harlan) Trooper Sammy Faris, KSP Post 11 (London) Trooper Justin Vanhook, and Pineville Police Chief Brandon Hollingsworth, who was also a division award winner.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts, when worn correctly, are proven to reduce the risk of fatal injuries to front-seat occupants by 45 percent and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans.

Also, according to NHTSA, properly installed child restraints reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars. In light trucks, SUVs and minivans, properly deployed child restraints reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 58 percent for infants and 59 percent for toddlers.

Each year more than half of those killed on Kentucky’s roadways are not properly restrained in a seat belt, car seat or booster seat. Kentucky’s current seat belt usage rate is 86.9 percent.

Three Lady Hound golfers reflect on recent trip to state tournament

It was a successful year for the Corbin girls golf team. Showing continued improvement throughout the season, the Lady Hounds capped off their fall campaign by sending three players to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s state championship tournament. (more…)

University of the Cumberlands’ Shoes 4 the Soul event provides shoes, other essentials to 600 local children

This year’s Shoes 4 the Soul event, hosted by Appalachian Ministries at University of the Cumberlands (UC), provided new tennis shoes, socks, and hygiene items – not to mention a fun, memorable day – for more than 600 children from five local schools recently.

Some of the kids walked into the event a bit shy, keeping to themselves. But by the time they left, all of them were wearing brand-new socks and shoes, carrying a drawstring bag full of essential hygiene items, like toothpaste and soap, and grinning from ear to ear.

Shoes 4 the Soul is a favorite campus event that local schoolchildren and the Cumberlands community look forward to every year. Even the UC freshmen, who aren’t usually familiar with ministry events involving foot-washing and giving away shoes, get in on the action.

“This is a good opportunity. It’s a unique event; it’s something you don’t really think about. I think a lot of kids need this, and it is a bit of stress relief for their families,” said UC freshman Layla Moody.

Carmen Martinez, another freshman and a friend of Layla’s, added, “I think the event plants a seed in these kids’ hearts. Kids have a soft spot in my heart. I love kids. I think whenever you do something for a kid that shows them that someone other than their parents cares for them, it shows them Jesus’ love. It’s a way of planting that seed.”

CJ Roberts, a teacher at Whitley Central Intermediate, said his students ran out of the classroom and wouldn’t stop talking on the bus ride to Cumberlands’ campus on their way to the event. Though he acknowledged that some of the excitement comes from simply being energetic kids and from enjoying the rare luxury of spending part of the school day outside the classroom, he said a portion of the happiness is because the event touches the hearts of the children.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for our students to have something nice done for them and be around people who care and are trying to make a difference,” CJ said.

Children are chosen by their elementary school’s Family Resource Center officers, who are familiar with the families in school that are facing financial struggles and are thus chosen to attend Shoes 4 the Soul.

Appalachian Ministries (AM) uses donations to fund the event. To steward their funding wisely, AM does their best to finds deals that don’t sacrifice quality. For instance, Shoe Sensation in Williamsburg, offered a bulk discount on the shoes needed for this year’s Shoes 4 the Soul.

Lane Roberts, a sophomore at UC, helped load the boxes and transport them to the school. The annual event has special meaning for him.

“I grew up in this area,” said Lane. “I’ve been the kid who sometimes didn’t have new shoes at the beginning of the school year. Giving these kids new shoes helps them with their self-esteem and confidence.”

Hannah Baldauff, a graduate assistant at Cumberlands, said, “It’s a very humbling experience. It’s interesting because we have the perspective of Christ, who washed his disciples’ feet, but there are people washing kids’ feet who don’t know that story. They don’t even know they’re exemplifying Christ’s love, but they are. The Gospel is intermingled in this event.”

In addition to giving shoes to kids in need, the event exemplified the Gospel to 600 children and more than 100 volunteers.

Shoes 4 the Soul is one of many community service opportunities that Cumberlands students get involved in every year, to benefit the local community while exercising humility and learning leadership through service. To learn more about University of the Cumberlands’ community service and ministry programs, visit www.ucumberlands.edu/student-life.

Friday Night Highlights: Oct. 5, 2023

Coverage area teams faced off against district opponents in week 8 of the 2023 high school football season… (more…)