Largest solar project in state will power some Corbin, Barbourville homes

The state’s largest solar project, which broke ground last month in Lyon County, will be providing electrical power to two local utility companies in Corbin and Barbourville.

On July 26, Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency (KYMEA) and RWE broke ground on the Ashwood Solar I Project (Ashwood). Ashwood will be constructed and operated by RWE Clean Energy, a subsidiary of RWE AG, with an agreement that calls for KYMEA to purchase 100 percent of the energy produced by the project over a 20-year term.

More than 226,000 solar panels are being installed in Lyon County, covering an area of 250 acres. The total generating capability will be 86 megawatts of zero-emissions energy, which will be enough to power more than 15,000 KYMEA member households with green energy.

The eight KYMEA Kentucky communities receiving power from the project are: Barbourville Utility Commission, Bardwell City Utilities, City Utilities Commission of Corbin, City of Falmouth, Frankfort Plant Board, Madisonville Electric Department, City of Paris Combined Utilities, and the City of Providence Utilities.

The solar power project is expected to produce almost 200 million kilowatt-hours of electrical energy annually. Ashwood will supply approximately 15 percent of the energy needs of KYMEA.

Doug Buresh, President and CEO of KYMEA, said: “We are proud to add this clean, carbon-free, and economical resource to the Agency’s portfolio.

Josh Callihan, Barbourville Utility Commission General Manager and Chairman of the KYMEA Board added: “This is a very important step in our plan to provide affordable energy to our customers in a very environmentally responsible manner. By working together, KYMEA and our member communities have shown that we can make solar energy cost effective.”

To enhance efficiency, the project will use bi-facial, fixed-tilt panels, maximizing power output. RWE brings vast experience in developing, financing, and operating solar and other renewable energy projects.

“Our Ashwood project, which will be the largest facility of its kind in the state, underscores how competitive solar energy is in diverse markets across the U.S., said Mark Noyes, CEO RWE Clean Energy, a subsidiary of RWE AG. “Each project we install produces sustainable, renewable energy, cuts harmful emissions and helps improve air and water quality in the community. We are committed to being a good neighbor in the community for the long term and thank the local communities and officials for their warm welcome.”

Construction of the project is expected to be completed by June 1, 2024.

 

William Henrey Vanzant

William Henrey Vanzant, known affectionately as WH by those closest to him, passed away on August 12, 2023. Born on September 8, 1945, in Double Springs, Alabama, William’s life was marked by a generous spirit, a thoughtful demeanor, and a creative mind that shone through in every aspect of his life.
William was a pillar of his community in Jackson, Kentucky, where he resided. His work as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic was a testament to his creativity and skill, and his retirement years were filled with the same hard work and dedication he showed throughout his career. William’s generosity was not only reflected in his work but also in his relationships with family and friends.
William is survived by his beloved wife, Lula (Little) Vanzant; and his many grandchildren, among whom are Melissa, Mickey, Steven, Matthew, BJ, and Timothy Vanzant. He also leaves behind his sisters, Ollie (Don) Bray, Freda Bryant, Patsy (Tracy) McCoy; his brothers, Frank (Roszell) Vanzant JR, Melton (Pauline) Vanzant, Wilson (Patty) Vanzant, and Oliver (Imogene) Vanzant; along with their respective spouses; and several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn his passing.
William was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Flossie Vanzant; and his children, Melissa Wells, William (Teresa) Vanzant, and Frank Vanzant.
The visitation will be held at the Croley Funeral Home, 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky, on Wednesday, August 16, at 11:00 am.
The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm at the same location with Brother Dennis Hamilton officiating. The burial service will take place at 2:30 pm at the Vanzant Family Cemetery, 100 Vanzant Family Cemetery, Rockholds, Kentucky.
We invite everyone who knew William to share photos and leave memories on his memorial page. Your contributions will help to keep his generous, thoughtful, and creative spirit alive for all of us to remember.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

 

William Hubert Hamby

On August 9, 2023, our world became a little less bright as William Hubert Hamby, lovingly known as Dickey, departed from us.
Born in Jellico, Tennessee, on October 29, 1951, William was a beacon of love, thoughtfulness, and generosity to all who knew him. He dedicated his life to his family and his work as a machinist at Naval Avionics.
In his retirement years, he found joy in working on cars and passionately followed sports. He was a member of the Clearfork Baptist Church, living his faith in his daily life.
William is survived by his daughter, Mary Gilbert, her husband Curtis of Jellico, Tennessee; and his son, Jason Hamby of Indianapolis, Indiana. His legacy continues through his four grandchildren, Alex, Dylan, Kadin Hamby, and Hailey Ripple. He is also survived by his sister, Helen Fuson, and sister-in-law, Deloris Markham, along with her husband Charles. A host of nieces, nephews and friends and family to morn his passing. William was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Ethel Hamby; his loving wife, Linda; and his daughter, Leanne.
The funeral service for William was held at Clear Fork Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Kentucky with Rev. Tyler Jones officiating.
Burial was at the Clearfork Baptist Church Cemetery. Military graveside service was completed by the American Legion Post 88.
In the words of the Bible, “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). William Hamby, being the thoughtful, loving, generous, and dedicated man that he was, certainly earned his good name.
We invite you to remember William by sharing your memories and photos on his memorial page. Your stories will help us all celebrate his life and the phenomenal person he was.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Public’s help sought to find Whitley County arson suspect, who was stabbed in Tennessee

A man, who is wanted for felony arson and burglary in Whitley County, was apparently stabbed in Campbell County, Tennessee, over the weekend, according to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.

On Aug. 10, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department issued an alert on Facebook asking for the public’s help to locate Cody Dean in connection with the arson case. Dean is from southern Whitley County.

On Sunday, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department posted an updated alert noting that Dean was taken to the University of Tennessee Hospital for treatment after the stabbing, but left the hospital and returned to Kentucky where he remains wanted.

Anyone with information in reference to Dean’s whereabouts is urged to contact Whitley County E-911 Dispatch at (606) 549-6017.

The sheriff’s department can also be contacted about the case during regular business hours at (606) 549-6006.

 

Payment options for medication leaves me scratching my head

So which of these amounts would you think is correct for a 30-day supply of a routine medication that has been around for at least 45 years?

Is it $16.90, $118, $240, or all of the above?

If you guessed all of the above, then you would be correct for a medication that a family member of mine got filled recently.

One is the amount it would cost filling it by mail order. Another is the amount it would cost paying with the insurance at a local pharmacy. The third amount is what it would cost if you were simply paying cash for the medication at the same local pharmacy.

Logic would seem to dictate that the mail order option would be the cheapest, followed by paying for the medication using your health insurance at the local pharmacy, and that simply paying cash for the medicine, without using any health insurance, would be the most expensive option.

Then again, no one ever accused of the healthcare system of doing things logically.

In this case, it would have cost $240 to get one month’s worth of the medication through mail order. It was going to cost $118 to fill one month’s worth of it using health insurance at the local pharmacy. (My relative has the highest tiered health insurance plan that their employer offers.)

The cheapest option, which was pointed out by the folks at the Prescription Shoppe in Corbin, was $16.90 by simply paying cash for one month’s worth of the medicine.

Sometimes you have to wonder if our healthcare companies went to the same wonderful school of common sense that the federal government uses. (Sarcasm greatly intended in case anyone missed it.)

I’m not sure that I could make up something more stupid if I tried.

Moral of the story here is that sometimes it pays to explore your options.

Now to touch on a few other topics before I conclude this column.

• Based on the social media reaction to our recent story, there seems to be plenty of interest in a welding night class for adults that the Whitley County School District is planning to offer this fall.

I know Superintendent John Siler is hoping to add an electricity adult night class, if the welding class is successful. Hopefully even more technical education classes can be offered for adults in our area.

I’ve long been of the opinion that our society tries to push too many students towards college. The reality is that a skilled trades person can often times make far more money than someone with a college degree.

If someone can come up with some type of financial aid for Whitley County’s new adult learning program, then I think it could be huge for our area.

I, for one, am rooting for this program to be really successful.

• Speaking of the Whitley County School District, let me give a shout out to a couple of new employees there this school year. My former co-worker, Fatemia Fuson, is now working at Whitley County High School as a math teacher and school counselor.

I know she will do great as will now former army recruiter Kirby Jones, who is a new JROTC instructor at the school. Jones has some big shoes to fill replacing Don Gross, but I have the upmost confidence that he is up to the challenge.

• It sounds like the recent Kayaking for Kids race went well again. The event had 75 plus participants and raised over $21,000. The money will go for scholarships for Upward Basketball programs in Corbin and Williamsburg. In addition, the remaining proceeds, which is the bulk of the funds, will also go to the elementary school family resource centers in Whitley County.

 

Preserving History: Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society helping people connect with their roots

History. Without it, how can we know who we truly are? Without first knowing where it is that we come from, is it even possible to know where we’re going? (more…)

 

Brain Power: Tri-County Trivia celebrating ten years with special ‘decades month’ in August

What is a fun activity that you and your friends can participate in on a weekly basis at no cost that will also give you the chance to win cool prizes and bragging rights? (more…)

 

Jimmie (Lansden) Roberts

Jimmie (Lansden) Roberts, age 87, of Dayton, Ohio passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, TN.

Jimmie is preceded in death by her husband, Ben Roberts; parents, James Lansden and Doris (Chitwood) Lansden; niece, Tonya Forman; brothers-in-law, A.B. Forman and Robert Smith; she is survived by her best friend and sister, Virginia (Lansden) Forman; sister, Blanche Smith; nephew, Keith Forman and wife Penny; nieces, Angie Forman and Doris Ann Tackett and husband Ronnie; and other nieces, nephews, family and friends to mourn her passing.

Jimmie was a kind and very generous person; she was a world traveler and enjoyed her friends and family. She will be greatly missed.

Graveside funeral service was Saturday, August 12, at the Jellico Cemetery with Dr. Robert Dunston officiating.

The Llewellyn Funeral home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

 

BURGer Week coming to W’Burg again next week

It’s once again time to see which restaurant really has the best burger in Williamsburg.

Williamsburg Main Street Program is hosting its second annual BURGer Week event next week. Between Aug. 14 and Aug. 18, food lovers will have the chance to try offerings from three local restaurant’s vying for the BURGer Week crown.

Jonathan Wyatt, Williamsburg Main Street Manager, said that the three restaurants competing this year will be G & E Burgers, The Mint – Cumberland and Moonbow Mercantile. 

G & E, who was crowned the BURGer Week champion last year, will be offering a burger topped with American cheese, grilled onions, bacon, tomato and mayonnaise on a buttered, toasted bun.

The Mint will have a double patty burger on a Brioche bun with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup.

Moonbow Mercantile had not provided Wyatt with specifics regarding their burger as of Tuesday afternoon.

The winner is based on who gets the most votes. Each participating restaurant will have a sign at their establishment with a QR code that can be scanned to access the ballot to vote.

“Come support your local businesses,” said Wyatt, emphasizing community engagement is what helps drive these sort of events. Last year, local participation was lower than what was expected. 

 

WARTA donates to Backpack Feeding Program

The Whitley Area Retired Teachers Association (WARTA) donated $800 to the Corbin Area Backpack Feeding Program at their July meeting.

This is an annual project of WARTA to support the program that supplies meals to over 800 students of the Corbin, Whitley, and Knox County school systems on weekends during the school year.

Pictured are members of the Corbin Area Backpack Feeding Program receiving the $800 donation from Whitley Area Retired Teachers Association member David Perry.