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Williamsburg man gets 20 years after attempting to hit police with vehicle in March 2022

A Williamsburg man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison on multiple charges stemming from a March 2022 incident in which he attempted to hit police with a vehicle.

District Court Records

Editor’s note: The News Journal publishes only the final disposition of district court criminal cases except for those which are waived to a grand jury or dismissed without condition.

UPDATED: Tuesday night gunshot wound victims identified by Corbin Police

The Corbin Police Department has released the identities of the man and woman who sustained gunshot wounds Tuesday evening, July 11, outside a residence near the intersection of Scuffeltown Road and Fifth Street Road in Corbin. (more…)

Lexington man donates luggage to local DCBS for foster children

During his 32 years serving as a foster parent for 65 girls and boys that came to his home, single dad Don Pratt saw it happen many times.

When the Department for Community-Based Services, more commonly known as social services, removed a child from their home, they were often taken to their foster home with their clothing and belongings in a garbage bag.

Sometimes when the children were moved from one foster home to another, their clothing and their meager belongings went with them in a garbage bag.

It didn’t impact the younger children as much, who were already going through a lot of trauma. Mentally, it was tough and embarrassing for the older children to move all their stuff in a garbage bag.

About 25 years ago, Pratt, who lives in Lexington, decided to reach out to some media contacts he had in order to get some suitcases that the children could be given that they could keep as their own.

Then, he started getting calls from people or groups with luggage to donate. Some had done luggage drives on his behalf.

“People do luggage drives. People call me daily with luggage that they want to drop off or have me pick up,” Pratt said.

The first large scale donation he got came from a luggage company at Fayette Mall, which offered a discount on new luggage if people would trade in their old luggage.

The business then called up Pratt donating about 500 pieces of luggage to him for his program.

At the time, Pratt didn’t have a garage so the luggage got piled up to the ceiling in his living room and dining room until he could get those distributed.

After Pratt gets the luggage, he delivers it all across the state to Department of Community-Based Services offices. He has been to every county except two, which either didn’t have an office or their office was a regional one elsewhere.

He also takes the luggage to various state agencies and some private ones that offer foster care.

“Over the years, there have been a lot of pop ups of private agencies. There is money in the business so they do it. The state has cut a lot of money to social workers and to the state offices, which means they have actually pushed these private agencies into taking over,” Pratt said. “I have been delivering to all of them. I don’t care.”

On June 30, Pratt stopped off at the Department of Community-Based Services Office in Williamsburg where he dropped off various pieces of luggage and backpacks, which will go to local foster children so they don’t have to move in with a garbage bag. It is also something that they can keep.

Pratt noted that some of the children have home visits on weekends, so the backpacks are handy to take things back and forth with them.

“Hopefully, some kid will be happy to have it. I never see them. I have only seen about three or four kids that have received the luggage apart from some of my own foster children,” Pratt said.

Pratt has also donated luggage to groups like Operation UNITE, which one time called him up before Camp UNITE in Williamsburg. Pratt helped them fill up a big van with luggage for the less fortunate children, who were visiting the camp to use.

Camp UNITE organizers have previously noted that some campers will show up with their clothing in a plastic grocery bag because they have nothing else to carry their clothing inside.

Pratt’s program has no formal name, although the Girl Scouts one time named his effort Suitcases for Kentucky Kids, which is what he puts on his business cards.

Anyone wanting to donate luggage to Pratt’s cause can phone him at (859) 552-2235 or e-mail him at dbp91044@gmail.com.

You can also find him on Facebook at Don Pratt’s Luggage Delivery for KY’s Foster/Adoptive Kids.

Crystal Elizabeth (Wilhoit) Woolum

Crystal Elizabeth (Wilhoit) Woolum, age 54, of Corbin, Ky went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 7, 2023, at UK Hospital in Lexington, KY.
Crystal is preceded in death by her grandparents, Andrew and Somer Wilhoit and Bill and Clara Perkins.
She is survived by her husband, Kyle J. Woolum; parents, George Wilhoit and Jane (Perkins) Wilhoit; son, Christopher K. Woolum and wife Rhonda; daughter, Andrea S.R. Woolum; grandchildren, Keagan, Kensley and Kade; sister, Genia Rose and husband Mike; nephews, Ethan Rose, Logan Rose, Gregory K. Hummel and wife Arielle; sister-in-law, Lee Ann Gosser and husband Robert; great-niece and great-nephew, Easton and Carolyn; pet children, Raki and Luke and many friends to mourn her passing.
Crystal was a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where she received a Master of Science in Nursing. She worked several years at Baptist Health in Corbin.
Graveside service was Monday, July 10, at the Snyder-Vermillion Cemetery Fairview, KY with Rev. Mark Sutton officiating. Interment followed the service.
The Llewellyn Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Isaac Jackson Jr.

Isaac Jackson Jr., age 72, of East Hwy 92 Siler Community, passed away Sunday July 2, 2023 at Harlan ARH Hospital in Harlan, Ky.
He was born March 28, 1951 in Knox County, Ky. to the late Isaac and Etta Smith Jackson. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by one daughter, Etta Michelle Jackson; one brother, Howard Jackson; four sisters, Roberta Bryant, Louise Jackson, Vern Gambrel, and Sara Payne; special friends, Chester and Hazel Sutton, and Mary “Pete” Chandler.
He is survived by his wife, Debby Jackson; six children, Jewel Renae Guy (Jeff), Dana Jackson, Danny Hardin (Kim), Donnie Hardin, Michael Lawson (Melissa), and Red Lawson (Laura); twenty grandchildren, Rachel Truett, Anna Hardin, Nick Hardin, Emily Williams, Amber Shoupe, Amanda Guy, Allison Guy, Jason Parks, Jerrin Parks, Gabby Borgne, Jacob Jackson, Destinie Jackson, Maggie Lawson, Johnny Lawson, James “Fatman” Lawson, Aaron Lawson, Riley Lawson, Colton Lawson, Lucas Lawson, and Charlee Lawson; twelve great-grandchildren; three sisters, Beulah Penn, Thelma Jones (Russ), and Margaret Taylor; several nieces, nephews; and special friends, Charlie Richardson, Jeff Wilburn, and Connie Jackson; and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
Funeral service was Friday, July 7, at Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Josh Jackson officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Neva A. (Sharp) Perkins

Neva A. (Sharp) Perkins, 92, of Enon passed away July 8, 2023 at Harbor Chase Beavercreek.
She was born on January 14, 1931, at home in Rockholds, Kentucky to the late Rosco and Anna (Smith) Sharp.
Neva was an Order Department Supervisor at Allied Egry for 32 years. In retirement she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and visiting with friends.
Neva is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Neil Perkins; sister, Blanche Mayne; and brother, Jene Sharp.
Neva is survived by her nieces, Sylvia (Bruce) Hodge and Whitney (David) Perkins Michaud; nephews, Larry Hill, Danny Hill, Brad Perkins; and numerous friends.
Private services will be conducted in Kentucky and Connecticut.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton in Neva’s name.
Arrangements by Adkins Funeral Home, Enon.

Joann Bunch

Joann Bunch, age 92, passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023.Funeral service will be Wednesday, July 12th at 2 pm at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home. Following the service she will be laid to rest in the Locust Grove Cemetery in Keavy. Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.