Lori Faith Whidden

Lori Faith Whidden, a compassionate soul and beacon of support, left us on August 16, 2023.
She was a resident of Williamsburg, Kentucky, born and raised in Illinois, where her generous heart touched the lives of everyone she met. As Mother Teresa once said, “It’s not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts.” Lori embodied this sentiment throughout her life, putting love into every action, every conversation, and every relationship.
Lori was a devoted wife to Troy Whidden, her loving husband. Together, they created a home filled with laughter, love, and countless memories. Lori was a supportive mother to her sons, Cord and Blake Conchas and a beloved mother-in-law to Cassandra Conchas. Her love for her family was immeasurable and she was the rock upon which they leaned. Lori also leaves behind her dear mother, Lois Nantz, her sister, Tammy Lopez and brother-in-law, Carmen Lopez, and her cherished nephews, Alejandro and Nicolas Lopez. Lori was preceded in death by her father, Calvin Caddell, her grandbaby, Baby Conchas, her brother, Craig Caddell, and her stepfather, Arvis Nantz. She also in preceded in death by a host of other family.
Lori had a spirited zest for life. She found joy in the simple pleasure of playing games on her phone, where she was known to be quite the digital competitor. However, what mattered most to Lori was her family and friends. As Charles Dickens once wrote, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Lori was a living testament to this quote, always ready to lend a hand, offer a word of encouragement, or share a comforting smile.
On behalf of the family, they would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the friends and family who supported Lori during her journey.
We invite everyone whose life was brightened by Lori’s generous spirit to share their memories and photos on her memorial page. Her life was a tapestry of love and kindness, and each one of your stories is a thread in that beautiful weave. As we remember Lori, let us continue to spread the compassion and support she so freely gave to us all.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Bulah Rudder

Bulah Rudder, age 71, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Thursday, August 17, 2023 at the Baptist Health Corbin.

She was born in Laurel County, KY, on October 13, 1951 to the late Jim and Mae Johnson Robinson.

Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Rudder, Sr.; one daughter, Julie Robinson; and one grandson, Shane Wombles.

She is survived by one son, Charles Rudder, Jr. (Samantha) of Williamsburg, KY; two grandchildren, Isaak Rudder of Williamsburg, KY, and Raven Rudder of New Mexico; one great-grandchild, Kata Carsner of New Mexico; four sisters, Pat Smith of Laurel County, KY, Sandy Cathers of Laurel County, KY, Diane Owens of Laurel County, KY, and Nola Jones of Laurel County, KY; two brothers, Bo Bo Robinson of Laurel County, KY, and Roger Robinson of Laurel County, KY; several nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her passing.

A graveside service was conducted on Saturday, August 19, at the L.A.W. Cemetery.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.

Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Nina Meadors

Nina Meadors, age 75, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Saint Joseph London.
She was born December 24, 1947 in Bryceville, TN, to the late Gaynes and Faye Snow Burton. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by two sons, Billy Ray Lawson, and Seth Meadors; one sister, Diane Brooks; and one brother. Walter Burton.
She was a member of Morley Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, James Lee Meadors of Williamsburg, KY; three children, Kevin Lawson (Letisha Asher) of Williamsburg, KY, Josh Meadors (Tabatha) of Williamsburg, KY, and Daniel Meadors (Kayla) of Williamsburg, KY; two daughters-in-law, Heather Lawson of Williamsburg, KY, and Jennie White of Williamsburg, KY; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four sisters, Neva Griffith of Dayton, OH, Sandra Cooper (Tony) of Gadsden, AL, Kathleen Partin (Ralph) of Fairborn, OH, and Betty Simpson of Greensboro, NC; one brother, David Burton (Mary) of Jellico, TN; several nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her passing.
Funeral service was Sunday, August 20, at the Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Max Cox and Rev. James Loudermilk officiating. Interment was in Jellico Creek Cemetery.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Whitley County Sheriff’s Department participates in K-9 training program

K9s United, a national nonprofit dedicated to advocating and supporting K-9 law enforcement officers, recently hosted a free four-day training seminar for nearly 50 K-9 teams and EMS professionals from across Tennessee and nine other surrounding states, including a representative of the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.

The purpose of the training was to ensure local and regional K-9 units and EMS professionals have the highest level of customized training, problem solving and animal care necessary to protect and serve their communities.

The training featured a 70-pound simulated canine that barks, bleeds and breathes like a real Belgian Malinois police dog. These hands-on scenarios aim to increase a K-9 officer’s chance of survival on the front line by educating K-9 handlers and EMS professionals on the dog’s anatomy, combat and environmental injuries, treatment protocols, among other life-saving techniques K-9s may require in a moment’s notice.

K9s United also provided the attending K-9 handlers and EMS professionals with the materials they need to build their own first aid kit before ensuring the recipients understand when to use what and when.

Medical staff at Baptist Health Corbin award 22 academic scholarships

Each year the medical staff at Baptist Health Corbin award scholarships to recognize and reward academic accomplishments of healthcare students.

“These scholarships are awarded to students from the Tri-County area in order to keep our greatest resources close to home,” said David Worthy, MD, Chief Medical Officer.

Recipients must be from the Tri-County area and currently be enrolled and working on a healthcare related degree. Of the 22 scholarships, seven are in medicine, nine in nursing, one in pharmacy, one in physician assistant, three in speech language pathology, and one in dentistry.

There were four special scholarships awarded, which were funded by the medical staff and Baptist Health Corbin. To be eligible for one of these scholarships, the students have to be medical students.

Logan Lambdin was awarded the annual $2,000 Rod Weisert Memorial Scholarship.

Makayla Mack was awarded the annual $2,000 Mohammad Jawed Memorial Scholarship.

Cody Evans was awarded the annual $2,000 Truman Perry Memorial Scholarship.

Hollie Clifton was awarded the annual $2,000 Danny Struck Memorial Scholarship.

2023 recipients of the $1,500 medical staff academic scholarships are: Emily Bolinger, Trey Carter, Jaycea Cheek, Emily Davenport, Madison Fields, Sarah Gibbs, Kara Grisell, Jenna Johnson, Chloe Lundy, Carlie McArthur, Keira Monhollen, Camille Overley, Devika Patil, Summer Rains, Devyn Sams, Ryleigh Swafford, Callie Whitus and Summer Wombles.

Baptist Health Corbin is a 273-bed, acute care facility providing a wide variety of healthcare services to the residents of Whitley, Knox, Laurel, Bell, Clay, McCreary, Harlan and Campbell counties in Kentucky and Campbell County in Tennessee.

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.

Some of the most recent inspections include:

Keep Calm and Eat On: The Health Department Was Here

It’s hard to prove a negative – to prove something didn’t happen. Much of public health involves keeping bad things from happening. Prevent problems. Protect health.

Health Environmentalists do just that. You ate at that restaurant and you didn’t get sick. That is, at least in part, because of the partnership between the restaurant and the Health Environmentalists. In Whitley County, we now have three of them. They work on a lot of programs in our community, but right now, let’s focus on health inspections of places you eat.

Food establishments are required to have a permit. The permit is an agreement to operate safely, follow regulations and to allow regular inspections. The goal of inspection is for customers to stay safe. A side benefit is to help establishments provide a good customer experience, draw more customers, and contribute to the local economy.

Not all places that have food need a permit. Free food at events rarely requires a permit. Potlucks are an example. A favorite event where we all partake in something called “assumed risk”. Aunt Bettie brings her mystery cheese loaf. You decide how daring you’re feeling that day.

Food for sale usually comes with rules. Baked goods, like those cupcakes or candies on Facebook, fall under agricultural rules for home-baked goods. Someone selling home-baked goods only needs a permit and inspection from the Health Department if they also sell more risk items like chicken salad, charcuterie, or cut fruit.

For places that sell cold food like grocery stores, we generally inspect them once a year. If they serve hot food, inspections happen at least every six months. Inspections take an average of 90 minutes to complete, but it depends on the size of the place.

There are 58 categories of things to check during inspection, including what the training and supervision of staff is. Other inspection areas include: Do they wash their hands? Is food stored at correct temperatures with required labels? Is the food safe foods to eat? Are there opportunities for contamination? Is food cooked to proper temperatures? Are facilities and equipment clean and working properly? Are there insects, rodents or animals?

At the end of every inspection, the food establishment gets a score, with one hundred being the highest. It isn’t like school where anything above 90 is an “A.” You want as close to one hundred as possible. A score of 90 is a place most Health Environmentalists wouldn’t want to eat.

Problems during inspection may cause a follow-up inspection. Certain inspection items are a high priority. The Health Environmentalist may need to come back to re-inspect within a few days or weeks if there are high priority items or if the total score is below 85. Reinspection is to ensure problems are corrected.

The most common problems are that staff do not have the required food training. Improper temperatures is another common problem, as is not having clean surfaces like shelves, counters and tops of equipment or leaving cleaning rags out.

You can find out inspection scores in several places. The News Journal publishes them regularly. The Yelp app lists them too. Most importantly, food establishments are required to post them.

You should be able to see a copy of their permit and their most recent inspection report posted visibly on a wall. If you don’t see it, you can ask them to show it to you. Look at the score and the reasons the score is less than one hundred. Then decide if you want to stay.

Health Environmentalists work with the establishment to prevent or correct problems. We want businesses to be successful.

It is never a goal to drive scores down. Health Environmentalists want to prevent foodborne illness and worker injuries. That’s good business for everyone.

Friday Night Highlights: Aug. 18, 2023

The 2023 high school football season got underway Friday evening, with three of the News Journal’s coverage area teams in action… (more…)

W’Burg Ind. Super Party Bus brings smiles to community

Photos by TIMOTHY WYATT 

Teachers, faculty and staff at Williamsburg Independent rolled through the streets of Williamsburg on Aug. 10 on the Super Party Bus, meeting with students and families in the district and providing them with popsicles, toys and fellowship.  The idea was the brainchild of new superintendent, Tabetha Housekeeper, to help bring the school and community closer together. “It ended up being one of the most exciting days of my summer. We just got to love on kids,” said Housekeeper.  

Tourism generates big bucks both statewide, locally

When it comes to the economy, tourism generates some big bucks in Kentucky and locally, but I daresay that most people don’t realize just how big that the economic impact is.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

Some recent numbers might surprise you.

In 2022, Kentucky tourism generated $12.9 billion in total economic impact and generated 91,668 jobs statewide, according to recent report for the Kentucky Department of Tourism, which was conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company.

There was $8.9 billion in direct visitor spending, which resulted in $937 million in state and local taxes that were generated, according to the report.

With tourism draws like Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, The Corbin Arena and the Kentucky Splash Waterpark, tourism accounted for 604 direct jobs resulting in $12.5 million in direct labor income in 2022 in Whitley County. Tourism in Whitley County generated $9.5 million in state and local taxes and resulted in $86.4 million in direct spending in 2022 and $113.5 million in total spending.

The tourism impact in neighboring Laurel County, which features Laurel Lake among other things, is slightly bigger.

In 2022, tourism led to the direct employment of 712 people in Laurel County resulting in $17.1 million in direct labor income. Tourism accounted for $10.7 million in state and local taxes in Laurel County, $94.3 million in direct spending and $134.1 million in total tourism spending in 2022.

In other words, tourists spend a lot of money where ever they go. Some of it is on things, such as admission fees to waterparks and arenas, souvenirs, and hotel rooms.

Other money is spent on indirect items, such as meals at local restaurants while they are here, or filling up their gas tanks and buying ice for their coolers at local gas stations.

Tourism success in this area isn’t accidental.

You also have to give credit to local governments for making efforts to increase tourism locally. Corbin and Williamsburg both have active tourism commissions and tourism directors.

Both have done things to increase tourism locally.

Corbin moved the 2132 locomotive to town along with its coal car and caboose and refurbished those. The backdoor to the News Journal’s office is maybe 150 feet from the locomotive and I see multiple people over there every day either taking pictures of it or having pictures taken there.

There are also things like Sanders Park and the statute of Colonel Harland Sanders, which also draws visitors every day.

On a smaller scale, Williamsburg installed nine statutes throughout town last year in addition to ones that are up at University of the Cumberlands.

Then there are private investments, such as The Mint gaming hall off Exit 11 in Williamsburg, which features 250 “historical wagering machines” in addition to a pretty good restaurant.

When it comes to tourism, not every community is as lucky as Whitley and Laurel County, which have either big manmade or naturally occurring tourism draws.

For instance, in 2022, tourism was only directly responsible for 61 direct jobs in Knox County, which had $23.3 million in total tourism spending.

I bet the new Cumberland Run race track, which is just off the Corbin bypass in Knox County and will host its first race this fall, will increase those numbers though.