Corbin native’s choir program to perform in D.C., sponsorships needed

A Corbin native’s choir program from Manchester, Kentucky, was selected to tour and perform in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Festival of the States on April 4-7, 2024.

The Clay County High School Voices of Clay and Tiger Concert Choir, led by Corbin native Nick Hibbard, was invited by Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser to represent the state of Kentucky on their tour.

The National Festival of the States is an annual concert series developed by Music Celebrations in various cities throughout the United States, with support from local government offices, community organizations, tourist boards, and more.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to put together a program for our concert tour that honors our veterans and our country, but also to bring awareness to the fact that we’re here, we’re strong, and our voices matter. As a state, region, and community,” Hibbard explained.

“Performing arts programs everywhere suffered a big hit in participation during the COVID-19 years. Being a director in these post-COVID years means we’re trying to build back. This opportunity is a clear sign that we’re reviving the program. These students have worked hard, and it has paid off. Appalachian students often get overlooked, but they are strong and resilient kids. They deserve to represent our state,” Hibbard said.

Because they are the only school in the state going, Hibbard emphasized that the choir program needs sponsors from all across the state to help.

“Sponsorships are the number one way people can support us and help us get to D.C.,” Hibbard explained.

Sponsorships come at different levels, and each level comes with varying levels of recognition, such as ads, tickets to concerts, recognition in programs, and more.

To receive a sponsorship form, please email Hibbard at nicholas.hibbard@clay.kyschools.us

Corbin welcomes new business to its downtown area

The Local Laser Company, which is one of Corbin’s newest Main Street businesses, isn’t the place to go to get laser surgery on your eyes. It isn’t the place to go if you want to get hair lasered off your body.

The Local Laser Company on Main Street in Corbin recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony in conjunction with the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to celebrate its grand opening.

It is the place to go if you looking for a one-stop shop for promotional products and business gifts. With thousands of selections, it offers branded merchandise to fulfill all of your needs, according to the company’s website at www.thelocallasercompany.com.

Husband and wife Kenny and Gail Puckett are the owners and operators of the business with Gail serving as the branding strategist and Kenny serving as the creative director.

“We are embellishment specialists. We focus on helping get companies and individuals brand out on different products,” Gail said.

“We put anything on about anything,” Kenny added. “We can upscale to the largest company. We can downplay to just an individual, who needs their name engraved on something. Anything you can imagine I can get personalized to what you want.”

The Local Laser Company has only been in business for about three months, Kenny has been doing this kind of work for 35 years. He started when he was 18 years old.

Gail Puckett and her husband, Kenny Puckett, are the owners of downtown Corbin’s newest business, the Local Laser. Above, Heather Barrineau presents Puckett with a membership plaque on behalf of the Southern KY Chamber of Commerce.

He had a company in Lexington for 15 years before moving to Danville where he worked for about 18 years. He then moved to Russell Springs where he stayed briefly before his mother got ill. Then, Kenny and Gail decided to move to Corbin to be closer to her. Kenny’s family is originally from Williamsburg, and he spent most of his youth in this area.

Gail said that the company decided on the name because it is focusing on doing laser etching.

“It’s more than just a laser company. This is a name that we liked,” Kenny said.

The Local Laser Company can engrave on any number of surfaces, including wood, metal, acrylic, leather and flax leather, which is often used in patches.

The company offers different products.

Gail noted that the idea is to help get people and their messages out there.

“When it comes in branding and getting your promotion out there, sometimes it’s hard to know where to even start. We are hoping we can kind of bridge the gap on that by helping people get the products that they want and get their message out on a product and get it out to the public,” Gail said.

For instance, one client, which is a tire company, was looking for a unique way to market itself, but lots of places have tire gauges with their name imprinted on it.

Some of the items that The Local Laser Company can customize for a customer’s business.

The Local Laser Company was able to come up with a tire shaped measuring tape with the company name put on it that can be given away to customers.

“I use AI’s to the fullest extent on hunting down and finding the newest and most innovative. I look for what people respond to and this is what they want. It almost guarantees people are going to hang onto that item and it not end up in a trash pile,” Kenny said.

One thing that the company is focusing on is finding products that are eco-friendly and recycled, such as business cards printed on recycled aluminum.

“We want to provide our clients with something that they can’t get anywhere else,” Gail said.

Local Laser is also hoping to work with area artists, who might have a product that a local business could have branded with its logo to give or sell to customers.

Kenny added that he has spoken with the City of Corbin about possibly coming up with some merchandise, which could be engraved with the city logo or something along those lines, and be given out to visitors.

Equine enthusiasts invited to attend horse show on July 14

A yearly fan-favorite event will be returning to the Whitley County Fairgrounds next week. The event is set to take place on Friday, July 14, at 6 p.m.

Tracy Siler Centers, the event’s coordinator, took the reins after the fair board approached her and asked if she would be willing to take on the horse show.

It is no question why Centers was approached to coordinate the event.

“I have always lived on a farm. Growing up, we always had horses and mules. My love for horses started as a very young child. My father farmed with horses. I have trail ridden many miles, showed, helped with gaited horse events, and also helped in rodeo events for four years,” Centers explained.

When asked about the process of coordinating the event, Centers was quick to showcase gratitude for others.

“It has been great! The horse community has been very responsive, and a lot of folks have been reaching out to see how they could help during the event,” Centers said.

Centers spoke highly of the horse community, sharing they have made horse shows fun.

“Horse folks are wonderful people and a lot of fun to be around,” Centers said.

The horse show will have 22 classes and an egg toss at intermission. The first class will be for the future cowboys and cowgirls. The leadline class is free for riders 12 and under. Adults will lead their young ones, and everyone will receive a ribbon. Among other classes, they have stick horse class (bring your own stick horse), a costume class, speed racking, barrel racing, pole bending, classes for gaited horses, and two championship classes.

The event has a fantastic announcer lined up and a judge.

Miss Whitley County Fair will be handing out the awards. Trophies will be awarded to first place, and first – third place will receive a ribbon and payout.

The Whitley County Future Farmers of America (FFA) will be volunteering.

Registration will open at 5 p.m., an hour before the event is set to begin.

All horses/mules must have a negative coggins test to enter the fair ground.

A coggins test is a blood test to identify if a horse is a carrier of Equine Infectious Anemia, or EIA, a viral disease that is typically found in horses. EIA can also be referred to as “swamp fever”.

Centers showcased excitement for the show and spoke about why the event is always so fun for her and the horse community.

“We love the crowd! It makes our day when we are approached by someone because we love to talk about our horses. We love to hear the laughter and excitement of all those in the stands,” Centers said.

The horse show brings joy and excitement to anyone interested.

“We are very, very excited to see everyone! We want to see the fair grow in the years to come, and I think this year is going to be great,” Centers exclaimed. “The fair board is working very hard, and I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the horse show… I want to encourage everyone to come out and see the event and cheer on your favorite horse and rider.”

Update: New York man leads several police agencies on chase from W’burg to Berea

(Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information since it was first posted on July 6).

A New York man is being held in the Whitley County Detention Center after allegedly leading police officers from several agencies on a three-county pursuit late last Wednesday evening that started in Williamsburg and ended in Berea.

Jacob Taylor is accused of leading police on a chase from Williamsburg to Berea.

The suspect also allegedly held his hand out the vehicle’s window, flipping off officers that were in pursuit of him, and he then allegedly assaulted one officer after the pursuit ended, according to court documents.

Corbin Center to host gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron for special fundraising event on Mon., July 10

Republican gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron will be in Corbin Monday, July 10, for a fundraising event, which is being organized by Terry and Marion Forcht.

Cameron’s reception will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Corbin Center, which is located at 222 Corbin Center Drive.

The cost is $250 to attend the event, $500 to sponsor the event, $1,000 to co-host the event, and $2,100 to host the event.

Attendees are asked to please RSVP to RSVP@CameronforKentucky.com.

Contributions can also be made by those not attending the event. Make all checks payable to Daniel Cameron for Governor. Mail checks to 838 East High Street, #278, Lexington, KY 40502.

Online contributions can be made at CameronforKentucky.com.

Questions regarding Monday’s event can be directed to Laura Haney at (202) 330-3457 or Laura@HaneyConsult.com.

Cameron, who is currently Kentucky Attorney General, won a crowded 12-way May Primary to secure the Republican nomination for governor. He garnered 48 percent of the vote compared to his next closest competitor. Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, who received 22 percent of the vote.

During the November General Election, Cameron will face incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear, who faced only token opposition in the Democratic May Primary as part of his re-election bid.

$74 million going back to coal-producing communities, including Whitley and Knox

“It’s good to see these coal revenues increasing,” said Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White, Jr. after learning about the county’s incoming allotment of coal severance funds totaling $765,700. “I am excited that the legislature and the governor has decided to give this money back to all of the coal producing counties.” (more…)

Demo derby, mud bog events promise spectators plenty of action and excitement

For area residents looking for some fun and mayhem, the Whitley County Fair has just what you’re looking for.

The fan-favorite demolition derby is returning to the fairgrounds this year on Thursday, July 13, at 7 p.m. with plenty of excitement for festival-goers.

There will be three car classes participating in the derby: front wheel drive vehicles, big car and minivan/SUV. Wayne Carr, one of the event’s organizers, said that if there aren’t enough registrants for the minivan/SUV class, they will run with the front wheel drive vehicles. However, if the vehicle has a full frame, that will automatically move it to the big car class.

Carr said that he wants those in attendance to have fun, but the ultimate goal is safety and equality.

“We need to make sure that all cars are safe,” said Carr. “We’ll try to make sure it’s competitive, but everyone will have a fair chance to win. We just want everyone to have fun.”

There is a $20 entry fee for each driver and a medical waiver is required before drivers can participate. The waiver can be picked up at the Whitley County Judge-Executive’s Office during regular business hours or at the registration tent once the fair is underway.

All drivers must be 21 years old or older to participate.

Another popular event will take place on Saturday, July 15, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the annual mud bog. Contestants in each division will battle it out on four-wheelers and in four-wheel drive trucks to see who can go the fastest through a bevy of mud-filled pits.

The four divisions for this year’s mud bog include: street class, 33 and under (vehicles must have wheels 33 inches or less), 34 to 38 (tires must be between 34 inches and 38 inches), and outlaw. The street class requires all vehicles to have Department of Transportation-regulated tires with no modifications. The outlaw class is open to all vehicles willing to test the course.

Drivers for both events are required to be signed in and at the respective locations at least 30 minutes prior to the event’s start time.

For a full list of rules and requirements for each event, visit the Whitley County Fair’s Facebook profile.

Southeast Kentucky Audiology, grand reopening

Southeast Kentucky Audiology hosted a celebratory grand re-opening for their 20^th anniversary with a ribbon cutting, yummy snacks, balloons, and fun-filled inflatables Friday.

Liz Rogers, Au.D, has owned the practice since 2017 and takes pride in helping patients with all ear-related services including wax impaction, hearing loss, and dizziness.

She plans to offer the best hearing healthcare to the residents of Southeast Kentucky.

Office hours are on weekdays Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and are closed on Friday, according to their website.

For appointment scheduling, call (606) 528-9993 or text (606) 517-5757.

Visit their website at www.sekyaudiology.com or visit their Facebook at Southeast Kentucky Audiology.

Corbin Rotary Club names Finley as Paul Harris Fellow, also welcomes new member

The Corbin Rotary Club held its weekly rotary meeting last Thursday, where members acknowledged a new Paul Harris Fellowship member and warmly welcomed a new member.

The Paul Harris Fellowship is an honor given to those who significantly contribute to Rotary International and the Corbin Rotary Club.

Club President Chase Hail recognized Melissa Finley as a Paul Harris Fellow with a certificate and pin.

In other Rotary Club business, Hail welcomed Katie Bales as their newest member.

Cecil Daniel

Cecil Daniel, age 87, passed away on Monday, July 3, 2023 at Baptist Health Corbin. He is survived by his wife Marcella Daniel. Visitation will be Thursday, July 6, from 1 until the funeral hour at 2 pm with Rev. Benny Bush officiating at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home. Burial followed in Locust Grove Cemetery, Keavy KY. Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.