Paul E. Cummins

Paul E. Cummins, 93, of London, Ky. formerly of Orange Park, Florida went to be with the Lord on September 7, 2023.
He was born August 26, 1930 to the late Martin and Cleda Cummins of Jellico, TN. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his loving wife June of 63 years. He is also preceded in death by two brothers, Bill Cummins and Harold Cummins; two sisters, June Kinley and Carleen Coker; and one great-grandson, David Cole Ritchey.
Paul loved his family and took great pride in his career as a conductor with CSX Railroad. An avid golfer that loved life. He was an inspiration to everyone that knew him.
He is survived by his son, Roger Cummins (Sharon) of Orange Park, Florida; daughters, Sharon Wyatt (Mike) of Fleming Island, Florida, and Patty Fugate (Calvin) of London, Ky; one sister, Doris Foust (Carl) of Knoxville, TN; four grandchildren, Michael Paul Wyatt, Nicole Ritchey (Terry), Lori Fox (Marcus), and Paula Wolf (Nate); six great-grandchildren, Michael Vaughan Wyatt, Sarah Fox, Emma June Fox, Rhea Wolf, Zane Wolf and Ezra Wolf; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
Funeral service was Sunday September 10, at Ellison Funeral Home with Roger Cummins officiating.
Interment was in Highland Park Cemetery Croley Addition. Pallbearers were Mike Wyatt, Calvin Fugate, Michael Paul Wyatt, Marcus Fox, Michael Vaughan Wyatt, and Terry Ritchey.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Milo Christian Don Brooks

It is with heartfelt sorrow and joyous remembrance that we announce the passing of Milo Christian Don Brooks, who left us on September 7, 2023, just shy of his birthday.
Born in Corbin, KY, on October 29, 2020, Milo was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew and niece. His infectious laughter and adventurous spirit touched everyone who had the fortune of knowing him.
Milo’s life was filled with laughter and adventure, from his earliest days in Corbin to his last. He was a funny person, often the one to lighten the mood and bring a smile to everyone’s face. His love for the outdoors and adventurous spirit led him to explore the most beautiful parts of our world, always leaving a mark of his joyful presence.
Milo is survived by his loving parents, Jordan Brooks and Keisha Bray; his sisters, Hadalee McFarland, Ireland Bray, and Israel Brooks; his grandmothers, Selena Crawford, Brenda Bray, and Aloura Bray; his grandfathers, Curtis Crawford and Randy Bray; his aunts, Kelsie Perkins, Makayla Perkins, Cheyenne Griffith, Sabrina Marcum, and Jeanna Selvey; his uncles, Robert Griffith, Gary Moul, and Aaron Baker; and his beloved fiancé, Skyla Perkins.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 13, at 11:00 am at Croley Funeral Home, located at 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm at the same location.
Milo was laid to rest at Perkins Cemetery, in Williamsburg, Kentucky on Friday, September 8.
Milo’s life was a gift to us all, and though he may no longer be with us physically, his spirit lives on in the love and laughter he shared.
We invite you to leave your cherished memories of Milo and upload photos to his memorial page, as a celebration of his remarkable life.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Out & About KY Style: John Burr of Adair Co.

I’ve always enjoyed chasing a story. By this I mean writing something where the facts don’t jump up and smack you in the face. When I found out Coach John Burr of Adair County was going in the Kentucky Basketball Hall of Fame this year, I immediately set out on a chase. It tested my memory back some 65 years when I recalled a story in the Courier-Journal about the Adair County coach banning a radio broadcast at his gym in Columbia. My recall was that it was in the early 60s, but I could dig up zero on the internet. Was my mind playing tricks?

The chase was on.

A phone call to Jim Richards, who had played for Coach Burr in the mid-50s. “You need to call Ben Burr, Coach Burr’s son,” he suggested. “I remember something about it, but not any details.”

Ben said, yes, he knew something like that happened, but no particulars. “Call Ralph Waggener,” he said.

Ralph heads up a longtime internet publication called ColumbiaMagazine.com. “I’m not sure about it, but I’ll check on it and put it on Facebook.”

Ralph’s sister, Annette, is married to Jim Richards. It’s a small world!

On my own I called Donna Hancock. She’s the publisher of the Adair County Progress  Surely she would know someone who knew about a radio station being banned from broadcasting a high school basketball game in Columbia.

When I told her the time frame, she offered that that was way before her time.

“I might put out a query and see if anyone remembers,” she said while giving me a bit of hope.

Then it was a call to Ralph Shearer. His wife, Pam, informed me he was experiencing some major health issues and unable to speak with me at this time.

Ralph wasn’t just a name out of the blue. He is still considered the best player to ever play at Adair County when he led his team to back-to-back final fours at the Kentucky High School State Tournament. Playing for Coach Burr, the Indians lost to Inez by two points in the semis in 1954. In 1955, Hazard behind Johnny Cox won 74-66 over Adair. Shearer had 29 points in the championship game.

Realizing that an old friend of mine from Western Kentucky University days was now the athletic director at Adair County High, I called Craig Biggs. “I grew up here but don’t know anything about that,” he said. “But I know who will.”

Craig gave me the name and phone number of Doc Rogers.

“He’s been the team doctor for years,” added Biggs. “He’ll know.”

I was about to solve the mystery of the banned radio station, and I quickly dialed Doc Rogers only to get no answer. Thankfully, he called back.

“I remember something like that happening,” he said. “I think I was in the eighth grade, but don’t remember what really happened. But I know someone who probably will. Call John Pendleton. He was a team manager and scorekeeper for Coach Burr for several years. He’ll know.”

Finally, someone who remembers that bizarre event. Even though I didn’t have the exact story, I felt like I was closing in on it. Everyone, all eight of the people I had talked with, remembered the event. Well, sort of. No details or year.

In between calls I called Jody Richards. As a former Speaker of the House in Frankfort I knew he would have the facts on this chase. He didn’t. He knew something about everything except what I wanted to know.

The next afternoon Ralph Waggener called. “I think I’ve found some information,” he said.

Then another call. This one from Jim Richards.

“You’re going to be getting a call from Blackie Nixon,” Jim said. “He was around the year it happened.”

Now, perhaps my chase was getting out of hand. With someone named Blackie and a last name Nixon, my thoughts drifted from a basketball game to something more menacing than blocking a radio station from broadcasting a high school basketball game.

This was getting very interesting.

At 8:34 that night, sure enough my phone rang. It was Blackie. His name came about because his hair was black, and, hang on for this, his brother was called Red because, guess what? His hair was red. John Pendleton told me later they looked nothing like brothers.

All of that mattered little to me as Blackie Nixon began to put all of the pieces together for this story that had managed to escape me all of these 65 years.

“It was 1958, the first year of integration.” Blackie recalled. “I was a senior and remember that all of the coaches in the District decided not to allow any radio broadcast of the games that year. The District Tournament was in our gym, which was only a few years old at this time.”

Back then there were 10 teams in the 21st District of which Adair was hosting. Three of the teams were from Campbellsville.  C-ville, Taylor County and the new black school entry Campbellsville Durham which featured an eighth grader, Clem Haskins. With Campbellsville matched against Taylor County in the first round and Durham’s opening game with Campbellsville, who had defeated Taylor County, there was no way radio station WTCO wasn’t going to let its listeners who couldn’t fight their way into the 2,000 seat gym in Columbia, to miss the broadcast of these games.

“I know that station tapped into a phone line on a pole outside of the gym.” Blackie Nixon said. “They had someone inside who would write things on a piece of paper and get it to a person standing in the upper part of the gym who would drop it out the window to the person calling the game on the phone. As far as I know they did all of the games that year like that. I do know Lebanon Rosenwald beat us (Adair County) in the semis, by one point.”

For the record Lebanon Rosenwald defeated Campbellsville Durham in the District finals only to loose to Durham in the Regional semis. Hodgenville turned back Durham in the finals. One of the most underrated players in the history of the 5th Region that year was Durham’s J.W. Allen. Years later Clem Haskins said Allen was one of the best he ever saw play.

There are great stories out there, and I enjoy chasing them.

There’s no excuse, get up, get out and get going! Gary P. West can be reached at westgarypdeb@gmail.com.

 

What’s old is new: Coach ‘Burr’ Haynes still guiding young Colonels from the sideline

When it comes to the history of athletics, specifically basketball, in Whitley County and surrounding areas, you will likely not find a person more knowledgeable than Coach Donnie “Burr” Haynes. (more…)

 

I-75 southbound lane closure scheduled for Sunday (Sept. 10) in Whitley County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advises motorists there will be a lane closure on I-75 southbound (right lane, mile point 4.0) starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday (Sept. 10) in Whitley County.

Additionally, a rolling road block will take place on I-75 southbound (mile point 10.0) in Whitley County beginning at 8 a.m. on Sunday (Sept. 10) to facilitate the replacement of the overhead message board and structure at mile point 4.0. The rolling road block is expected to last approximately 20 minutes.

Work along with the lane closure are expected to conclude at 2 p.m.

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.

 

Local agencies receive VOCA funding to help crime victims

Kentucky has received nearly $27.2 million in federal grants to support victims of violent crime, and $736,905 of that funding is going to local organizations.

In total, 114 crime victim service providers have received funding this year through the federal Victims of Crime Act grant program, known as VOCA.

VOCA funding prioritizes services to victims of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. Funding can also serve survivors of homicide and victims of burglary, theft, drug and alcohol-related crime and elderly victims and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse or assault.

The last several years have seen significant decreases in federal funding for VOCA grants. The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s 2023-2024 biennial budget included an additional $10 million of funding in each fiscal year from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to help offset the reduction. This year’s VOCA funding includes $17 million from the Office for Victims of Crime and an additional $10 million in ARPA funds, bringing the total awarded amount to over $27 million.

Cumberland River Behavioral Health, which is headquartered near Corbin and has an eight-county service region, received $148,408 in VOCA funding plus $63,379 in ARPA funding for a total of $211,787 this year. Last year it received a total of $192,738 in VOCA funding.

The Cumberland Valley Children’s Advocacy Center in London received $162,100 in VOCA funding plus $188,462 in ARPA funding for a total of $350,562 this year. Last year it received a total of $210,519 in VOCA funding.

The Williamsburg Police Department’s victim’s advocate program received $46,800 in VOCA funding this year compared to $58,500 last year.

Cumberland Valley Domestic Violence Services Inc. in London received $85,362 in VOCA funding this year compared to $110,860 last year.

CASA of Clay, Knox and Laurel Counties Inc. received $42,394 in VOCA funding this year compared to $52,993 last year.

“This administration fights for victims of crime. We intend to provide every available resource to help them heal and obtain justice,” said Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Kerry Harvey.

 

Friday Night Highlights: Sept. 8, 2023

Coverage area teams dominated in week 4 of the 2023 high school football season… (more…)

 

Keep Corbin Clean event held Saturday morning in downtown

About 35 people turned out Saturday morning to pickup trash and litter around downtown Corbin as part of the Keep Corbin Clean cleanup effort. Volunteers worked along Main Street, Kentucky Avenue and Gordon Street among other places cleaning the town up. The event was presented by the Downtown Corbin program, the City of Corbin and Skyjack Records.

 

Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce announces Sept. luncheon details

The Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has announced the details of its next membership luncheon, taking place on Tuesday, Sept. 12. (more…)

 

Reclaiming Futures Cornhole Tournament set for Saturday afternoon during Old Fashioned Trading Days

If you’re a corn hole player or if you just want to do something to help a program designed to get kids off drugs, then you might want to visit Old Fashioned Trading Days Saturday afternoon.

The 11^th Annual Reclaiming Futures Corn Hole Tournament will take place starting about 2 p.m. in the Whitley County Board of Education’s parking lot.

All proceeds benefit Reclaiming Futures, formerly known as juvenile drug court, which helps teenagers in the court system get off drugs and stay in school.

The tournament serves as a major fundraiser for Reclaiming Futures.

Proceeds from the annual corn hole tournament are used for providing incentives for Reclaiming Futures participants, such as a Christmas party and small gifts.

“We’ve learned that rewards work better than sanctions. If a child does something really good, it gets a reward. They still get sanctions but they get rewards for the good stuff. We use the money to buy gift cards, tickets to the movies and so forth,” Whitley District Judge Cathy Prewitt said previously.

“It’s just for extra things that otherwise we don’t have money for. Some of it goes in the bank for a rainy day. We have actually used some of it to help pay for treatment, which is very expensive.”

There are three divisions that participants can take part in at the cornhole tournament.

The entry fee is $20 per two-person team in the open division and $75 per team for a two to four player team in the celebrity division. There is a $150 entry fee in the corporate division, which covers a six-person entry.

Prewitt said many of the corporate sponsors don’t actually participate and this is when organizers let the children from drug court play, but they aren’t eligible for the cash prizes.

Winners in each division will receive cash prizes.

The tournament is sponsored by Reclaiming Futures in the Cumberlands, Whitley County Tourism and the Whitley County Fiscal Court.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the Reclaiming Futures program or to register a team can send a check made payable to Reclaiming Futures. It can be mailed to Reclaiming Futures at Cumberland River Behavioral Health Attention: Greta Baker, P.O. Box 568, Corbin, KY 40702.