Entrance closure will occur on US25W (Arena Drive) on Tuesday (June 25)

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advises motorists of an entrance closure will occur on US25W at mile point 30.016 (Arena Drive) in Whitley County beginning Tuesday (June 25) until Tuesday (July 2).

The entrance closure is needed to remove the asphalt entrance and place concrete for the new alignment. Access will still be available through the entrance further east as well as the backage roads that are open to traffic.

The closure doesn’t affect the hospital entrance.

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 the district on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict11.

 

Robert Fuson

Robert Fuson, age 89, of the Fairview Community in South Whitley County passed away on Saturday June 22, 2024 at the Baptist Health Hospital in Corbin Ky.
Robert is preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Ardra Fuson; parents, George Fuson and Anna (Murray) Fuson; siblings, George Fuson Jr., William Fuson, James Fuson, John Fuson, Mary (Fuson) Hall, Louise (Fuson) Douglas, Margaret (Fuson) Malapelli, Ruby (Fuson) Draper and Sylvia (Fuson) Worley and son-in-law Bill Shelton.
Robert is survived by daughter, Cheryl (Fuson) Shelton; sons, Bobby Daryl Fuson and wife Murriel Fuson, Dale Fuson and wife Jill Fuson; grandchildren, Bobby Daryl Fuson II, Alexander Fuson, Cheyenne (Fuson) Moats, Brandon Fuson, Jana (Fuson) Washington, Amber (Fuson) Gianaro, Michael Dunn, Chris Caven, Brittany King, and Joseph Womble, 24 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends to mourn his passing.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday, June 25, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Llewellyn Funeral Home Chapel in Jellico, TN.
The funeral service with military honors provided by the Jellico Honor Guard will be at 2:00 pm Wednesday, June 26, with Rev. Daniel Draper officiating.
Interment will follow in the Snyder Vermillion Cemetery in the Fairview Community.
The Llewellyn Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

 

Clydia June (Hamblin) Lasley

Clydia June (Hamblin) Lasley, age 72, of Clairfield, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Maryville, Tennessee. She was born April 12, 1952, in Jellico, Tennessee.
Clydia is preceded in death by son, Perry “Jamie Lee” Bills; father, Ancil Edward Hamblin; mother, Minnie Ellen (King) Hamblin; brothers, W.C. Hamblin, Dewey Hamblin, and Manuel Hamblin; sisters, Diana Malicoat, and Loretta Sweet.
She is survived by son, William Daniel Bills and wife Angela; daughters, Helen Hawkins and husband Don, Mary Ellen Hamblin, Clydia Marie Seymour and adopted daughter, Cynthia Sargent; grandchildren, Sharon Ann Bolton, Nathan Curnutt, Stephanie Bills and Greg Messer, William Bills, John Curtis Marlow and wife Hannah, Monica Lay and husband Dustin, Leeann Bills, James Seymour, Summer Bills and Anthony Partida, Jessica Seymour Moses and Hunter Hampton, Jaylynn and Ryan Crawford; great-grandchildren, John, Guilin, Asia Bolton, Aryis Bills, Spencer Dickerson, Aubree Marlow, Ansley Marlow, Scarlett Bills, Pressley Crawford, Ayra Bills, and Desmund Partida; brother, AJ Hamblin and wife Karla; sisters, Mary Edna Taylor, Alpha Sowders, Irene Hamblin Hatfield and husband J.L.; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn her passing.
Funeral service was Sunday, June 23, at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dennis “Cotton” Pitman officiating.
Burial followed in the Buffalo Cemetery.
The Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

 

Althea “Alfie” (O’Brien) Walden

Althea “Alfie” (O’Brien) Walden, age 63, of Jellico, Tennessee passed away Monday, June 17, 2024, at Baptist Health Corbin. She was born January 23, 1961 in Jellico.
Alfie is preceded in death by her husband, Emil Walden; grandson, Gabriel Jones; father, Samuel John O’Brien, Sr.; mother, Macy (Bowlin) Ivey O’Brien; siblings, John Grady O’Brien, Henry Roland “Silo” Ivey, twins, Jay and Kay Ivey, Robert Ray “Bobby” Ivey, Emmaline O’Brien Ramsey and husband Frank, James Marian O’Brien, Samuel John O’Brien, Jr., Alice Faye O’Brien, Ward Walden and husband Doug, and Rose Marie O’Brien; paternal grandparents, James Granville O’Brien and Emmaline Strunk O’Brien; maternal grandparents, Kelly and Verna Bunch Bowlin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Glenda O’Brien, Albert Fuston, Jerry Downs, Mitton Davis, Wayne Hudson, Jolene O’Brien, Joe Walden, Linda McCloud, Delano Smith, Wiley Walden, and Jim Walden.
She is survived by children, Angela O’Brien, Patsy Manis, Emily Gibson and husband Jay, Lynn O’Brien and husband Michael, Katie Walden, Samantha Walden and Tristan, Jacob Jones; grandchildren, Mandy Alsip and husband Stevie, Michael O’Brien, Jr., Jaden Gibson, Reagan Gibson, Savannah O’Brien and Stryder, Jonah O’Brien, Matthew Jones, and Harper Brown; great-grandchildren, Lakyn Alsip, BellaGrace Alsip, and Mason Silcox; siblings, Jimmy Lee O’Brien and wife Dora, Paul Edward O’Brien, Verna Vivian Ivey Fuston, Margaret O’Brien Downs, Joie Dean O’Brien Davis Hudson, Jesse O’Brien and wife Melissa, Billy Gene O’Brien, and Michael David O’Brien and wife Lynn; sisters and brothers-in-law, Esther O’Brien, Wilma Ivey, Teresa O’Brien, Johnny Smith, Louise Walden, Sam Walden and wife Diane, David Walden and wife Shelia, Bobbie Smith, and Margaret Walden; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family mourned her passing.
Funeral service was Saturday, June 22, at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel.
Burial followed in the Douglas Cemetery in the Wooldridge community.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

 

Lisa Giles

Lisa Giles, age 52, of Powell, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at the Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
She was born August 18, 1971, in St. Johns, NL, Canada.
Lisa is preceded in death by brother, Melvin John Giles.
She is survived by parents, Melvin and Judy (Lockyer) Giles; spouse, Tracy Anderson; chosen children, Riss and Brenna Anderson, Amanda Hatmaker and Tess Woody, Jimmy W. and Dakota Anderson; American parents, Brenda and Stanley Hale; brothers, Howard Craig Giles, and Michael Dewayne Giles; sister, Madonna Yvonne Upshall; brothers-in-law, Joseph Anderson, Kendrick and Stefani Pemberton; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn her passing.
The family will received friends on Thursday, June 20, at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside service followed in the Anderson-Siler Cemetery on Lot Mud Creek Road.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

 

Rosa Curnutt

Rosa Curnutt, passed away at her home on Powers Branch Road on June 19, 2024.
She was born on February 6, 1933, in Whitley County, Kentucky. Rosa worked as a skilled seamstress for Lion Apparel, showcasing her talent and dedication to her craft.
Her life was filled with simple pleasures and stories that many will treasure forever. Rosa’s warmth and kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Her friends and family will gather to honor her life during a public viewing at Croley Funeral Home on June 24, starting at 6:00 pm.
The funeral service will be held at Croley Funeral Home on June 25, at 11:00 am with Rev. Ronnie Rose officiating.
In memory of Rosa’s life and the light she brought to those around her, the community is invited to join in honoring her journey. May she rest in peace.
Rosa was preceded in death by her husband, William Curnutt; her father, Jim Powers; her mother ,Fleda Powers; her brothers, Caleb Powers, and H.D. Powers; her sisters, Amelia Hill, and Nancy Mays; and her nephews, Lonnie Powers, and James Powers.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

UC students receive several notable honors

Several University of the Cumberlands students with local ties have received various awards, and/or achieved accomplishments recently.

Departmental awards

A dozen students from Corbin and Williamsburg received awards from their respective academic departments for the 2023-2024 academic year, including:

• Madelyn Brock of Corbin – Art: Student of the Year and Bella Bender-Lipps Award.
• Jordan Richardson of Williamsburg – Biology: one of two Students of the Year.
• Shreya Patel of Corbin – Business Administration – one of two Students of the Year.
• Samuel “Blake” McCullah of Williamsburg – Chemistry: Student of the Year and P.R. Jones Chemistry Outstanding Senior Award.
• Dorian Bachlaj, Emily Leach and Hermione Xue Teng Tan, all of Williamsburg – Computer and Information Science: Students of the Year along with eight other individuals.
• Molly Evans of Williamsburg – Criminal Justice: one of two Students of the Year.
• Olivia Gammon of Williamsburg – Education-Elementary Education: one of two Students of the Year.
• Mickayla McCoig of Williamsburg – History and Political Science: one of two Students of the Year.
• Spencer Scharstein of Williamsburg – Psychology: Student of the Year.
• Kristin Mitchell of Corbin – World Languages – Outstanding Senior in Spanish: Student of the Year.

Mary Sullivan Award

Corbin’s Kristin Mitchell is also the winner of the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award, which honors a female student from the senior class who has made significant contributions to university life while demonstrating outstanding spiritual values.

She is the daughter of Seth and Christy Mitchell. Mitchell is graduating with a major in English: creative writing and minors in Spanish and missions and ministry.

Mitchell has been involved in campus ministries since her freshman year at UC. She has maintained a leadership position in Appalachian Ministries, training volunteers, creating lessons, and educating children. She also established a Bible study with other young women on campus. Mitchell has always been very active in her home church in Corbin as a church choir member and serving the community in many ways, such as providing local children and the elderly with Christmas gifts.

Mitchell has been involved in UC activities, such as chorale and study abroad trips to Europe, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Her future plans include completing a Master of Fine Arts graduate program, being a published writer of fiction, and eventually becoming an English professor. She wants to continue traveling as much as possible and will serve her church and Christ in every way she can.

U.S. Army commission

Cumberlands recently hosted a pinning and commissioning ceremony in the Kohn Theater on campus for four Army ROTC cadets, who are now second lieutenants (2 LT), including: Zachary Carlsen, Chamira Cooper, Rylan Reed, and Williamsburg’s Alex Ritchie,

The commissioning ceremony is an honored tradition held annually on college campuses across the nation to signify cadets’ completion of both their college degree requirements, as well as the Army’s ROTC requirements.

During the ceremony, cadets recited the Oath of Office, then stood as gold bars were pinned onto their uniforms, denoting their new ranks as second lieutenants. Finally, they received their first salutes. These UC graduates are now official members of the U.S. Army Officer Corps.

Second lieutenant Carlsen will join active duty – armor branch, 2 LT Cooper will join the Kentucky Army National Guard as a member of the Quartermaster Corps, and both 2 LT Reed and 2 LT Ritchie will join active duty – infantry.

Colonel (retired) Steven Sears was the keynote speaker at the commissioning ceremony. Col. Sears graduated from University of the Cumberlands (then Cumberland College) in 1990 with a biology degree. He retired from the Army after serving more than 26 years as a field artillery officer.

Col. Sears told the new officers, “You have been given much to prepare you for this moment, but now much more will be demanded of you.”

 

Giving a voice to local news for many years

This week I conclude a review of my 37-year history of being publisher of this newspaper with a column of why it is important to have a local newspaper in a community. It is obvious that local newspapers keep readers up to date on their own communities.

Not only does our newspaper benefit readers, but it also benefits local businesses. We offer an affordable way of informing the readers of the benefits coming from local businesses. I must admit that it was better 37 years ago to fill our newspaper with ads than it is today. Due to Amazon and big box stores many businesses have closed their doors.

Local publications play a key role in both informing communities like ours and promoting civic engagement among community members. Newspapers like ours strengthen our community. Local news is an essential lever to a healthy democracy; it helps our area citizens understand what’s at stake in local elections and equips the people to get involved in the process.

Local news is our most trusted source of information. Our newspaper provides an understanding of what is happening in our city halls, schools and businesses. We give a voice to what otherwise would go unheard.

Without a local newspaper we would only have misinformation through social networks. We are here to strengthen our community with reliable information. “Reliable” is the best word to use because we have trained journalists to hear all sides of a story, search out its truthfulness and focus on accuracy.

I could go on and on about the reasons we need a local newspaper, but what I have written gives you enough understanding of why a local newspaper is needed.

I am most grateful for the support we have been given during my 37 years as the publisher. Our core readership has remained strong, strong enough that we have four times as many subscribers as our local competitor. As for advertising, we still have many good advertisers that believe in buying and advertising locally.

So much has changed since 1987 when I started here, but one thing has remained the same; we still have as much local news coverage as ever. Thank you for your support. We look foward to many more years of providing the best news coverage in this area.

 

Housing Insecurity: Emergency Christian Ministries aims to provide a ‘hand up, not a hand out’

As we have already seen in the initial entries in this special series, there are many different factors that contribute to the problems of housing insecurity and homelessness. Because of that fact, there is no magic bullet that can fix things and no one individual is going to have all the answers.

But we can all do something.

In the case of Susan Jett, director of the Emergency Christian Ministries (ECM) homeless shelter in Williamsburg, the goal is to help guide as many people as possible back toward self-sustainability. It is a big job, but it is one that she feels called to take on.

“I really feel like God put this job, and this ministry, in my lap,” said Jett, who has served as the director at ECM since 2021. “I was not educated for this, and had never done anything like it before, but it has become a passion.”

Since coming into the director job three years ago, Jett and her colleagues at the shelter have done a lot of work to update the facility. “Everything is new but the brick,” she said explaining that the City of Williamsburg and the Whitley County Fiscal Court helped to kickstart the repairs back in 2021 by providing funds that were used to replace the roof. Since that time, the rooms have been remodeled, the kitchen has been upgraded and the commons area has been added onto in order to make it more family-friendly.

In addition to support from the local community, including individuals, businesses and churches, ECM depends on grant funding in order to continue operations. Since late last year, the shelter has operated an on-site thrift store that sells gently used clothing and household items for a low cost. This new venture has been very successful so far, and currently accounts for another large chunk of the shelter’s budget, but Jett said that more customers are needed, as well as additional volunteer workers.

Getting back to the day-to-day goal at ECM, Jett said, “We’re here for anyone who finds themselves homeless.”

Jett explained that a person, any person, could potentially find themselves in that difficult situation, and that the reasons always vary. Many times it is related to poor decisions involving drugs, but sometimes a divorce may be to blame. Other times, it could be problems that arise from a mental or physical disability of some type.

Regardless of the individual person’s backstory, Jett said that the one common thread is usually the fact that there is no family support. That, or if there is family, those family members are in no position to offer any kind of meaningful assistance.

Jett clearly understands that the people coming to her shelter seeking help are going through difficult times, but she also understands the difference between granting someone a handout and helping them to get back on their feet.

“It is not just a bunch of drug addicts or lazy people up here,” she said. “I do make them get a job if they are physically able, and they feel better when they do that.”

Before a person is ever admitted to the shelter, Jett will typically speak to them on the phone. By asking certain questions, she can typically gauge if it is a person who is truly needing the help that ECM can provide. If things work out from there, a face-to-face meeting will be scheduled to discuss next steps.

“I will have them share their life stories at intake,” Jett said. “It is a volunteer thing, but most will agree to do it. I hear about a lot of really difficult situations.”

Jett asks a few basic things of anyone who is accepted. First, as previously mentioned, if the person is physically able, then they will be expected to seek employment. Once they find a job and earn their first paycheck, they will be asked to contribute $50 per month. This money is used mostly to help cover the cost of utilities at the shelter.

In addition to the expectation of trying to find work, Jett asks that all current residents help out by taking on at least one chore. They must keep their rooms clean, and no pets are admitted.

“I am here to help people if they want the help,” Jett said. “We always want to give a hand up, and not a hand out. We want them to be able to get on with their lives. If I can get just two out of ten people to get a job and get back out on their own again, then I consider that a success.”

Jett and ECM have seen many success stories in recent years, but there is always an understanding that the process will look a little different for each individual person. For some it may take longer, which is fine, as long as forward progress is being made.

“As long as you are moving forward, then you can stay until you’re back on your feet,” Jett explained. “Don’t think you’re going to come up here and just sit for six months.”

If you or someone you know could use help from Emergency Christian Ministries in Williamsburg, or if you would like to get more information about how you can help their cause, including how to contribute to the ongoing operation of the thrift store, call (606) 400-1464.

 

UC students inducted into honors societies

Several University of the Cumberlands students have been inducted into various honors societies, including the following.

Kappa Mu Epsilon

Rockholds’ Dustin Sulfridge was one of five new members inducted into Kappa Mu Epsilon’s Kentucky Beta Chapter, which is hosted by University of the Cumberlands. Nicholas Buzzell, chapter president, presided.

The list of all new members includes: Sulfridge, Celia Marie Brass, Lucas Alejandro Duran Libaak, Korbin J. Keith and Stephen Carson McKinney.

The Kentucky Beta Chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon, a national mathematics honor society, was founded in 1993 and is only the second such chapter in Kentucky. To be eligible to be a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon, a student must have completed three semesters, must be in the top 35 percent of their college class, must have completed three college-level math courses, including at least one semester of calculus, and must have an average of B or higher in all math courses.

For the 2024-25 school year, the Kentucky Beta Chapter elected Brass as president, McKinney as vice president, Keith as secretary, and Sulfridge as treasurer. Dr. Jonathan Ramey serves as chapter sponsor and Dr. Sarah Hacker serves as corresponding secretary.

Kappa Delta Pi

Williamsburg’s Riley Sutton and Phebe McHargue were recently inducted into Kappa Delta Pi national education honor society.

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), was founded on March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois by Dr. William Bagley. Other educational honor societies existed in 1911 but they did not welcome teachers, who were women or people of color. KDP was founded to celebrate and embrace all teachers of excellence as an inclusive organization. Annually, its members celebrate March 8 as KDP’s Founder’s Day.

KDP has evolved over 100 years to become the largest national honor society in education with 20,000 plus peers and more than 600 chapters.

KDP’s mission is to inspire and equip teachers to thrive, and its vision is to help excellent teachers build thriving communities and create lifelong opportunities by providing quality, equitable education for all.

Sigma Tau Delta

Corbin’s Hollyann Lewis and Williamsburg’s Gregory Pennington and Riley Sutton were recently inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta, national English honor society.

The officers chosen to lead University of the Cumberlands’ chapter of the society include: Sutton as president, Ann Bourff as vice president, Cameron Stephens as secretary and treasurer, and Anna “Macey” Furtick, member representative.

Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The Society strives to confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies; provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities; foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing; promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members; exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and serve society by fostering literacy.

With over 770 active chapters located in the United States and abroad, there are more than 1,400 faculty advisors, and approximately 7,500 members inducted annually.

Sigma Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature.