Unemployment rates increased in Knox, Laurel, Whitley counties

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell, and McCreary counties between April 2023 and May 2023, according to the Kentucky Center of Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.

Whitley County

Whitley County’s unemployment rate increased from 3.7 percent in April 2023 to 4.4 percent in May 2023. Whitley County’s May 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the May 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 3.4 percent in April 2023 to 4.2 percent in May 2023. Laurel County’s May 2023 unemployment rate was 0.2 percent higher than the May 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.3 percent in April 2023 to 5.5 percent in May 2023. Knox County’s May 2023 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the May 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.5 percent in April 2023 to 5.4 percent in May 2023. Bell County’s May 2023 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent higher than the May 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.3 percent in April  2023 to 5.4 percent in May 2023. McCreary County’s May 2023 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent higher than the May 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate increased from 3.3 percent in April 2023 to 3.8 percent in May 2023. Kentucky’s May 2023 unemployment rate was the same as the May 2022 rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 96 counties between May 2022 and May 2023, fell in 22 counties, and stayed the same in two (Breckinridge and Green) counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS).

Carroll County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.8 percent. It was followed by Spencer and Woodford counties, 3 percent each; Anderson, Oldham, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.1 percent each; and Cumberland, Fayette, Marion and Nelson counties, 3.2 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 8.9 percent. It was followed by Elliott and Martin counties, 7.9 percent each; Carter County, 7 percent; Lewis County, 6.9 percent; Breathitt County, 6.8 percent; Johnson and Owsley counties, 6.5 percent each; and Clay, Harlan and Leslie counties, 6.4 percent each.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events, such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.8 percent for May 2023, and 3.4 percent for the nation.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

Whitley County has a civilian labor force of 14,169 people with 13,548 employed and 621 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,062,436 people with 1,983,091 employed and 79,345 unemployed.

Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.

Corbin Homes Guide July 2023

Tri-State Homes Guide July 2023

Corbin’s US Restoration holds ribbon cutting ceremony

The Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Tuesday afternoon for US Restoration, located at 1610 Cumberland Falls Hwy., Suite 9, in Corbin. US Restoration offers 24-hour service in fire, water, smoke, lead, asbestos and rebuilding projects. They can be reached by phone at 859-242-5028 or 606-215-3581.

New video equipment, health services expected at Whitley Co. Detention Center

New video arraignment equipment and health services at the Whitley County Detention Center are expected to be put in place soon, both of which should help the county save a little bit of money.

During the Whitley County Fiscal Court’s regular monthly meeting last Tuesday, magistrates approved a resolution for a grant application to allow for an update to the jail’s video arraignment equipment. The jail has video arraignment capabilities, though the equipment currently being used is outdated.

Judge-Executive Pat White said that the county shouldn’t be out any additional money as the grant is expected to be a 100 percent grant. He also noted that the new equipment would help with costs at the jail.

“It saves them a lot on travel expenses, especially on some of the inmates that are out of the county,” said White.

If received, the grant would be in the amount of $15,000.

Additionally, the fiscal court awarded a bid for the jail’s health services to a new company during their monthly meeting. White said that Fast Access Healthcare submitted a bid that was lower than what the county has been paying for those services, also noting that they came “highly recommended” from several other counties in the area.

As part of the services, a nurse would be provided at the jail 12 hours a day, who would also have access to a doctor 24 hours a day. 

Fast Access Healthcare will take over the jail’s health services beginning July 1. 

In other fiscal court business:

– Nick Simpson was approved for reappointment as Whitley County Treasurer. Simpson took over the role in September 2022 following the death of Jeff Gray, who had served in that role since 1999. 

Simpson’s appointment is for a four-year term.

17 different people indicted by information during June

A total of 17 different people were recently indicted by information in Whitley Circuit Court on charges ranging from drug possession to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and strangulation.

Melton receives high mark in last evaluation as Williamsburg Ind. superintendent

Williamsburg Independent Superintendent Tim Melton received the highest possible grade during his annual superintendent evaluation, which will be his last with the school district as he exits the role.

During the regular monthly meeting of the Williamsburg Board of Education last Tuesday, the board met in executive session to perform the evaluation, which is done using a competency-based system where the superintendent and board work together to gauge performance, identify areas of competency and determine any growth needed for the superintendent to focus on in a given year.

The system is based around seven standards of leadership for the superintendent—strategic leadership, instructional leadership, cultural leadership, human resource leadership, managerial leadership, collaborative leadership and influential leadership—and superintendents receive one of four grades, ranging from “growth required” to “exemplary.” According to Board Vice Chair Kim White, Melton received an “exemplary” grade in all seven standards.

“It was unanimous that we all thought he did an excellent job as superintendent and felt he went beyond his role in his duties and responsibilities,” said White. “There’s nothing but good things to say.”

Melton said that he was happy with the outcome of the board’s evaluation.

“I appreciate the board and the support they’ve given me, and I appreciate their evaluation and their thoughts of me,” said Melton.

It will be Melton’s final evaluation as superintendent at Williamsburg Independent, as he has chosen to take on a new role as director of athletics at Knox Central High School, where he served in several roles before taking over as principal at Williamsburg in 2016. Melton remained in that position until 2019, when he was chosen by the school board to take over as superintendent following the retirement of then-Superintendent Amon Couch.

White spoke briefly about Melton’s time with the district, noting that Melton was always willing to “put in the work.”

“He put in many, many hours. He just got in the trenches and did a job if it needed to be done and helped others get things done,” said White.

As for Melton, he said that he was grateful for his time at Williamsburg and said that he was pleased with what was able to be accomplished during his time at the helm.

“The four years that I have been superintendent, I felt the board and I have worked well together in the best interest of the students,” said Melton. “The fortunate thing about being superintendent at Williamsburg is your always in the building. I appreciate everyone that I worked with and all of the students—it’s been nice to see them grow over the last seven years and I wish them the best.”

Melton’s contract ends June 30. The board is scheduled to meet today, June 28, for a special-called meeting to make a decision on an interim superintendent while a permanent replacement is sought.

Stolen motorcycle found in church parking lot

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Department arrested a London man early Friday evening, who was found in a church parking lot off American Greeting Card Road with a motorcycle that had been reported stolen, according to a sheriff’s department release.

Daniel Arthur

Two sentences of 20 years or more handed down after

Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling has announced that two defendants, who have been in trouble with the law several times, recently both received sentences of at least 20 years in prison as a result of plea agreements in separate cases.

Electronic Edition 6-28-2023