UPDATE: Corbin Police reveal identities of two men involved in Sunday morning fatal collision

The Corbin Police Department has revealed the identities of the two men who were involved in a single-vehicle fatal collision on 5th Street Road in Corbin early Sunday morning. (more…)

Upper Cumberland Community Foundation poker run raises over $10,000

The Upper Cumberland Community Foundation held its fourth annual poker run on Aug. 5 raising over $10,000 to support organizations caring for the most vulnerable residents in Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel and Whitley counties.

Cumberland Cruisers publicized the poker run, which is a fundraiser where flights of vehicles drive to locations to pick up playing cards and then return to play a game of poker for a winning pot of $200.

Drivers went to their first stop in London as part of a five-stop, four-hour tour of Southeast Kentucky’s back roads. This year marked the ambitious effort to launch five flights of vehicles from five different cities simultaneously.

Edward Jones’ Beth Davis and Cumberland Valley Rural Electric’s Rich Prewitt greeted the motorcycle flight out of Wildcat Harley Davidson in London. The top three hands and the worst hand received prizes at all locations.

“We are so excited to see all these visitors and join the region in supporting the Foundation,” Davis said.

In the past few years, the Upper Cumberland Community Foundation supported the Whitley County Farmers’ Market, Emergency Christian Ministries, the Whitley County Health Department, and the White Flag Ministry. Whitley County’s board representatives are Prewitt, Davis, and Sandi Curd from Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation.

“We are helping the Foundation that helps our people during their time of need,” said Prewitt.

Sponsors of the poker run included: Whitley County Tourism, Century 21’s Heather Barrineau, Orthodontist Dr. John Newcomb, Wildcat Harley Davidson, Backroads of Appalachia, Walmart #1189 Barbourville, the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, Barbourville Tourism, Bell County Tourism, Bell County Chamber of Commerce, City of Pineville, Hearthside Bank, Tim Short Auto Mall, Manchester Tourism, AdventHealth of Manchester, The First National Bank of Manchester, Manchester-Clay County Chamber of Commerce, and Volunteers of America Mid States.

Donating in-kind were Appalachian Jeep Outfitters, Edward Jones – Beth Davis, Cumberland Valley RECC, Whitley Cooperative Extension, Charles Schwab – Marc Taylor, the Middlesboro Main Street Program, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Manchester Campus, Clay County Cheerleaders, and the London Laurel Chamber of Commerce.

The Upper Cumberland Community Foundation is a leading and trusted community foundation, enhancing Eastern Kentucky through charitable giving, community involvement, and strategic partnerships by investing assets in our communities. Upper Cumberland Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, a network of nationally accredited foundations across the region.

To learn more or support this work, donations to the Upper Cumberland Community Foundation can be made by visiting www.appalachianky.org/upper-cumberland-community-foundation.

Friday Night Highlights: Sept. 1, 2023

Most coverage area teams were on the road in week 3 of the 2023 high school football season. (more…)

Unemployment rates increase in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between June 2023 and July 2023, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Whitley County

Whitley County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.3 percent in June 2023 to 5.5 percent in July 2023. Whitley County’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.3 percent higher than the July 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment increased from 4.9 percent in June 2023 to 5.0 in July 2023. Laurel County’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the July 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.4 percent in June 2023 to 6.6 percent in July 2023. Knox County’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the July 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.3 percent in June 2023 to 6.5 percent in July 2023. Bell County’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the July 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.4 percent in June 2023 to 6.7 percent in July 2023. McCreary County’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the July 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 4.5 percent in June 2023 to 4.6 percent in July 2023. Kentucky’s July 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the July 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 98 counties between July 2022 and July 2023, fell in 17, and stayed the same in five counties, according to the KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.5 percent. It was followed by Carroll County, 3.6 percent; Cumberland and Washington counties, 3.7 percent each; Anderson, Boone, Nelson, Oldham, Scott and Spencer counties, 3.8 percent each.

Martin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 10.5 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 9.7 percent; Carter and Elliott counties, 8.8 percent each; Breathitt County, 8.6 percent; Lewis and Owsley counties, 8.3 percent each; Leslie County, 8.1 percent; Knott County, 7.8 percent; and Harlan County, 7.7 percent.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 4.6 percent for July 2023, and 3.8 percent for the nation.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

Whitley County has a civilian labor force of 14,086 people with 13,305 employed and 781 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,042,319 people with 1,948,436 employed and 93,883 unemployed.

Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.

Leon Jennings Watson

Leon Jennings Watson, a loving, humble, and adventurous soul, was born on May 28, 1954, in Wyandotte, MI.
He resided in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and passed away gracefully on August 29, 2023.
Leon was a dedicated member of the Mountain Ash Baptist Church, and his faith was a pillar of strength throughout his life.
Leon’s adventurous spirit took him on many journeys, including his successful career as a professional dog trainer. He trained sporting dogs in Montana, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Michigan, and his love for animals was evident in his dedication to this work. He was also a lover of the outdoors, and his favorite activities included hunting, fishing, and spending quality time with his family.
Leon is survived by his daughters, Amber Watson San Diego, California and Jena Schnieder of Whitefish Montana; his granddaughter, Isabella deAquino of San Diego, California; his wife, Joy Watson of Great Falls Montana; his siblings, Linda Lawson and husband Truman of Williamsburg, Kentucky, Sandra Leach and husband Gary of Williamsburg, Kentucky, Gary Watson and wife Lisa of Williamsburg, Kentucky, David Watson of Williamsburg, Kentucky, Tony Watson and wife Karen of Shelby, Montana, and Donnie Watson and wife Blanc of Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents, William and Pauline Watson; and his siblings, Jim Watson, Billy Watson, and Joyce Brown.
Visitation for Leon will be held on Saturday, September 2, at 12:00 pm at the Mountain Ash Baptist Church located at 390 Buck Creek Road, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
The funeral service will follow at the same location at 1:00 pm, with Rev. Todd Lawson and Rev. Billy Carpenter.
The burial will be at Watson Lawson Cemetery in Williamsburg, Kentucky, at 2:00 pm.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.” – Psalm 116:15. Leon was indeed a faithful servant, and his memory will continue to be a blessing to all who knew him.
We encourage you to share your fondest memories of Leon on his memorial page, where you can also upload photos that celebrate his adventurous, humble, and loving life.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Williamsburg Kiwanis Club makes donation

The Williamsburg Kiwanis Club recently donated $1,200 to Williamsburg’s Emergency Christian Ministries (homeless shelter) to provide assistance to children staying at their facility. Pictured are Emergency Christian Ministries Director Susan Jett and Williamsburg Kiwanis Club President David Perry.

Some crimes really leave you thinking ‘Huh?’

Over the years I have written about a great many crimes.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

Some are for really stupid things, such as indecent exposure.

As my buddy and former co-worker, Dean Manning, used to point out, there is almost always a funny story that goes along with somebody being arrested for indecent exposure.

He’s right about that one, such as a person, who decided to skinny dip in the swimming pool of someone that they didn’t even know, or the woman, who took her clothes off and ran around a school track. (In case anyone is wondering, Dean wrote about both of those by the way…LOL.)

There was another stupid criminal that I wrote about, who decided to shoplift car headlights of all things, during the first ever Williamsburg Police Department Shop with a Cop event. Did I mention that about 85 percent of the police cars in Whitley County were parked in front of the Williamsburg Walmart that night?

A few years later another genius (sarcasm greatly intended) decided to go to the Williamsburg Walmart during another Shop with a Cop event with his face covered in gold after huffing paint. The police managed to get him quietly arrested and out of there before anyone, including myself, found out. I heard about this story years later.

As you probably suspected, often times – but not always – alcohol and/or drug involvement is involved when we have stupid criminal behavior.

I’ve written about a great number of other more serious crimes over the years too ranging from robberies to homicides. I quit counting after the first dozen murder cases that I covered.

The first trial I covered was for a college journalism class, and involved an armed robbery and police pursuit of the suspect.

I’ve still never run across a case like this one.

The suspect didn’t deny committing the robbery. He didn’t deny leading the police on a pursuit. He didn’t take a plea bargain.

He took the case to trial telling the jury that he wanted to cost the system as much money as he possibly could and that when he got out of prison, he planned to do it again.

Suffice it to say that the jury wasn’t amused.

In terms of murder cases, there have been a few doozies that I have covered.

The first murder trial I covered involved a man now sitting on Kentucky’s death row, who killed two brothers – one of whom was reportedly one of his best friends – who were at his home playing cards. He then proceeded to ask everyone present if they could “handle this ($(#&)” and proceeded to burn his own home down after taking out the valuables and getting rid of the bodies.

Did I mention that the killer claimed to have been an FBI informant?

Needless to say that when it comes to crime, there isn’t a whole lot that shocks me anymore, but I do occasionally run across a crime that has even me shaking his head.

Recently, someone stole a 150-feet of chain-link fence around a Woodbine cemetery in addition to seven posts and two 10-foot gates.

Police have charged two people in connection with the case. I won’t comment here on their guilt or innocence since their cases are still pending.

However, this case does have me asking one perplexing question.

How the heck does someone even come up with the idea of stealing a cemetery fence?

Kentucky Horse Racing Commission releases sports wagering catalog

With opening day for sports wagering in the Commonwealth of Kentucky now just one week away, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s Sports Wagering Advisory Council has released a catalog that includes a list of sports that will be available to bet on. (more…)

Kenneth (Ken) Byrd

Kenneth (Ken) Byrd, age 84, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Williamsburg Health and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born May 8, 1939 to the late John and Mary (Murray) Byrd.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Bob Byrd, Tom Byrd, Richard Byrd, and Ted Byrd.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce Childress Byrd; one daughter, Missy Sharpe and husband Jeff; one granddaughter, Becky Mitchell and husband Chris; one great-grandson, Lake Alan Mitchell; two brothers, Pat Byrd and wife Kathy of Williamsburg, KY, and Jerry Byrd, and wife Shelia of Cartersville, GA; and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
Funeral services will be held at 7:00 PM Friday, August 25, at the Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gerald Mullins and Rev. Jerry Sester officiating.
Visitation will be 5:00 PM until the funeral service hour Friday, August 25, at the Ellison Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will be held at Highland Park Cemetery Saturday, August 26, following a private graveside service.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Barbourville woman indicted for allegedly shooting woman at Knox Co. business

A Barbourville woman has been indicted by a Knox County grand jury in connection to a June incident in which she allegedly shot another woman through during an altercation at a Knox County business.