Recent inspections uncover various concerns

As part of its duties, the Whitley County Health Department conducts routine public health inspections of various entities, including restaurants, stores, schools, mobile home parks, swimming pools, etc.

Williamsburg man jailed for assaulting medic, escaping ambulance

A Williamsburg man remains incarcerated in the Whitley County Detention Center after allegedly assaulting a medic and jumping out of an ambulance last week, according to a court document.

Louise Marie (Wilkens) Pires

Louise Marie (Wilkens) Pires, age 94, of Jellico, Tennessee passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at her home. She was born July 18, 1928, in Dover, Delaware.
Louise is preceded in death by her husband, Charles John Pires, Jr.; father, Henry Fredericks Wilkens; mother, Gilda Vere (Isaacs) Wilkens; brothers, John Wilkens and wife Edith, Dr. Charles Henry Wilkens and wife Bonnie.
She is survived by sons, Pastor Kevin Pires and wife Karen, and Randall Lee Pires; grandchildren, Randy Pires, Jr., Shellie McLennan, Charity Johns, and Karla Downs; great-grandchildren, Adeline McLennan, Robert James McLennan, Landon Downs, Chance Downs, and Owen McLennan; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn her passing.
Memorial service will be held at 11:10 am on Saturday, June 17, at the Jellico Seventh Day Adventist Church with Carl Wilkens speaking. It will be live streamed on the Jellico Adventist Church YouTube channel.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jellico Christian Academy – Louise Wilkens Pires Memorial Fund.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Hopefully it won’t be needed, but I’m glad Corbin now has a Safe Haven box

Few things in life are sadder than a new born baby dying.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

The first time I had to write about such a thing was in college at Eastern Kentucky University. I was working at the school paper, The Eastern Progress, and writing a follow-up story on a cold case involving a dead newborn baby. It had been found dead in a nearby landfill, a year or two earlier.

A worker at the landfill saw what looked like a baby and went to check on it. He picked up the deceased infant, carried it to a different place and covered it up out of respect for the child.

Because police weren’t really sure exactly where the body had been found, trying to collect evidence about who the mother might have been proved to be nearly impossible. Authorities were pretty sure that the load of trash that the baby had been found in came from the school though.

To my knowledge, they never discovered who the mother was.

I’m sure it was a sad story to cover when it first happened. It was sad to write about a year or two later too.

I have little doubt that the first responders, who investigated the child’s death, were torn up about it too.

Bad things happening to little children are just tough to deal with.

Fortunately, laws have changed and there are options for mothers, who simply feel that they cannot take care of or deal with a newborn child.

There are multiple places, such as hospitals, where a parent can come in and surrender a new born child with no questions asked.

It’s depressing that such laws are needed to save the lives of children, but they are necessary and needed in the age that we live in.

Now there are more options locally where mothers can surrender babies anonymously.

The City of Corbin recently installed a Safe Haven Baby Box inside the Corbin Fire Department, which is along Main Street. It is the 147^th such box in the nation.

There is essentially a small door that opens from outside of the fire department. There are no cameras monitoring the door.

Once you open the door, you can place a baby inside the box and shut the door. Sensors inside alert authorities that there is now something or someone inside the box and an alarm goes off within a minute.

If a baby ever gets placed inside, then the fire department, police and other employees at city hall are alerted.

Once a child is found inside, it is taken to the hospital to get checked out, and then is placed in a home.

As I wrote earlier, it is sad that such a thing is needed, but what’s sadder is a newborn baby dying because someone abandoned it.

Hopefully, no mother with a newborn child ever feels the need to use this Safe Haven Baby Box, but if they give birth to a child that they can’t or don’t want to care for, then I am happy they have an option that will allow them to safely surrender the baby rather than doing something rash like killing it or placing it in a garbage can where it will wait to die.

I commend Corbin leaders for installing this device, which we all hope won’t be needed.

(Oh, in case anyone is wondering, no, they don’t accept teenagers…LOL.)

Raymond Roginski,

Raymond Roginski, age 75, of Corbin, KY, passed away Monday, June 5, 2023 at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington, KY.
He was born April 1, 1948 in Cincinnati, OH, to the late Leonard and Bernice Massie Roginski.
Raymond was an avid reader and he loved playing the drums, visiting Gatlinburg and Gulf Shores, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After he retired, he was a volunteer at Baptist Health Corbin for over eight years.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Roginski of Corbin, KY; two sons, Ray Roginski, Jr. (Sheana) of Spanish Fort, AL, and Randall Joseph Roginski (Regina) of Rosinton, AL; one daughter, Melanie Ybarra (Jacob) of Rineyville, KY; grandchildren, Ryan Roginski (Megan), Chris Roginski (Dani), Benjamin Warnock, Jaclyn Chavex, Jonathan Roginski, and Taylor Ybarra; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Logan, Ryker, Emmett, Arron, and Liam; one sister, Fay Roginski; three brothers, Marty Roginski, David Roginski, and Anthony Roginski; several nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
Funeral service was Saturday, June 10, at the Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Calvin Lovitt officiating.
Interment was in Highland Park Cemetery Ellison Addition.
Pallbearers were Ray Roginski, Randall Roginski, Ryan Roginski, Christopher Roginski, Jacob Ybarra, and Jonathan Roginski.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Hamblin

Thomas Hamblin, age 75, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Monday, June 6, 2023 at his home.
He was born December 23, 1947 in Covington, KY to the late Glen and Lavada Veach Hamblin. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, David Hamblin and James Hamblin; and two nephews, Jeremy Cooper and Ronald Hamblin.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was the first commander of the Pierce Dant Hamblin V.F.W. Post 3167 in Williamsburg, Ky.
He is survived by five sisters, Vicki Cooper (John) of Williamsburg, KY, Janice Malusky (Lance) of LaFollette, TN, Virginia “Kathy” Hamblin of Williamsburg, KY, Marcia Hamblin of Williamsburg, KY, and Gloria Hamblin of Lake City, TN, two brothers, Glen Hamblin of Williamsburg, KY, and Timothy Hamblin of Richmond, KY; uncle, Carl Hamblin of West Alexandria, OH; several nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
Funeral service was Friday, June 9, at Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerome McCullah officiating.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mayleen (Blankenship) Adkins

Mayleen (Blankenship) Adkins, age 61, of Newcomb, Tennessee passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Lafollette Medical Center.
She was born June 28, 1961, in Jellico, Tennessee.
Mayleen is preceded in death by her father, Cecil Ray Blankenship; mother, Hannah (Douglas) Blankenship; brothers, Tommy Blankenship, Robert “Bob” Stidham, and Glen Douglas; sisters, Linda Hicks, and Stella Hicks.
She is survived by her husband, Roy Adkins, Sr.; son, Roy Adkins, Jr; grandchildren, Haley Adkins, and Isaac Adkins; sister, Lisa Drudy; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn her passing.
Funeral service was Wednesday, June 7, at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Junior Dople officiating.
Burial was Thursday, June 8, in the Baird Cemetery, Little Elk Creek.
Harp Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Rocky Anthony Jenkins

Rocky Anthony Jenkins, age 70, of Clairfield, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at his home.
He was born November 13, 1952, in Jellico, Tennessee.
Rocky is preceded in death by his mother, Nannie (Mobley) Jenkins; grandfather, Harve Mobley; brothers, Paul Jay Jenkins, and Harvey Jenkins; sisters, Alice Mason and husband Wayne, and Mary Barton; brother-in-law, Ray Veach; father and mother-in-law, Luther and Mae Overton.
He is survived by his wife, Anita (Overton) Jenkins; sons, Rocky Jay Jenkins, Luther Russell Jenkins and Kim; special granddaughter, Savannah Jenkins; great-grandchildren, Jaxtyn Kade Brandenburg, Brentley Smith, and Kennedy Smith; sister, Nancy Mason; brother-in-law, Jimmy Barton; sisters-in-law, Kathy Veach, Jane Monday and husband Carlos, Lori Housley and husband Don; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his passing.
Funeral service was Saturday, June 10, at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James Hodge officiating.
Burial followed in the Jenkins Family Cemetery in Clairfield, Tennessee.
Harp Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Jimmy Riley Pierce

Jimmy Riley Pierce (Wacona) was born December 15, 1956, stepped through the doorway home on June 5, 2023.
He loved his native American cultural heritage, but he loved his Jesus more, as he told everyone to make things right now and know that you know, meet me on the other side.
Jimmy is preceded in death by mother and father, Letta Zink and James Pierce; brothers, Danny Boy, Steve, Robert, Eugene, Charlie, and Victor Pierce; sisters, Lois Pierce, Patsy Pierce, and Norene Brill; father and mother-in-law, Philip & Trula Muse.
He is survived by his wife, Donnia (Muse) Pierce; sons, Jimmy Pierce, Brandon Pierce and Claire, Dustin Mason and Angie, and Corey Mason; daughter, Kala (Baby Girl) and Chris; grandchildren, Tyler, Tristen, Blake, Braylon, Khaleesi Pierce, Christopher, Caleb, Brodey Pennington, Addi, Tjaden Mason, Veronica Phillips, and Madi Taylor; sisters, Sharon and Danny Hayes, Judy Dewitt, Wanda and Herbert Strievel, “like a mommy” Janice and Billy Huddleston; brother, Arlie and Agnus Pierce; special niece and nephew, Oaklynn Dickson, and Charlie Moore; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his passing.
Funeral was Saturday, June 10, at the Elk Fork Baptist Church with Rev. Eddie Muse, Bro. Gary Muse and Bro. Christian Moore officiating.
Burial followed in the Valley View Cemetery in Pioneer, Tennessee.
Military honors were provided by the Jellico Honor Guard.
Harp Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

John Merle Cody

John Merle Cody, Pappaw John, passed away peacefully with his loving wife, family, and pastor by his side on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
John had spent the last two months fighting a courageous battle with a rare lung cancer.
John lived a rich life; he was united in marriage with Sue (Lewis) Cody on August 11, 1968 and they lived a beautiful, Christ-centered life, enjoying 54 years of marriage. John and Sue raised their family in Evarts Kentucky, spending 69 years of his life as a resident of Harlan County.
In 2009 he and Sue moved to Corbin, Kentucky. They quickly became active members of Central Baptist Church as John helped with going on mission trips, helping in Vacation Bible School and serving as Chairman of the Trustee committee and as a deacon.
He was known for his dedication to whatever he was involved in and attention to details.
He served as a deacon at Evarts Baptist Church for over 25 years and continued serving at Central Baptist in Corbin until present.
John was a Kentucky Farm Bureau franchise co-owner in Harlan County where he worked for 26 years, served as mayor of Evarts, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. John was also a Kentucky Colonel, a Mason, a Duke of Hazard, and a Shriner, all of which he took great pride in.
John loved fishing, grilling the perfect steak, gardening, wearing funny socks, cheering for the University of Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team, talking to his neighbors and friends and above all, spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Abigail Cody; brothers, Bilford “Speck” Cody and William “Bill” Cody; and sisters, Marie (James) Ramey, Lola (Buford /Bud) Stewart, Elva Lena (Charles/Mac) McBee, and Eula Mae Roper.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sue Cody; sisters, Diana (Mike) Triggs and Vickie (Steve) Puckett; brother, Don Cody; sister-in-laws, Linda (John) Ozbun, and Mary (Jim) Furr; oldest daughter, Deanna Cody Miniard (husband, Chris Miniard); middle daughter, Robyn Cody Bingham (husband Christopher Bingham); and baby daughter, Shannon Cody Ellington; grandchildren, Delaney Miniard Browning (husband Benjamin Browning), Lyndsee and Emily Miniard, Nathaniel, John Nicholas, and Addison Bingham, Mesa Ellington Smith (husband Eric Smith), Ainsley Ellington Carroll (husband Cody Carroll); great-grandchildren, Evie and Ellie Carroll, Elise Smith, Levi Christopher Lynch; and countless special nieces, nephews, other family, and friends; and his beagle that adopted and loved him so much, Buddy.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the building fund at Central Baptist Church 201, West 4th Street, Corbin, Kentucky 40701.
Funeral service was Sunday, June 11, at Central Baptist Church in Corbin with Dr. Josh Pollitt conducting the funeral service and Kelly and Steven Lowe providing music.
Burial followed on Monday, June 12 at the Resthaven Cemetery in Baxter Kentucky with a service in the outdoor chapel with military honors and Dr. Josh Pollitt officiating.
Pallbearers were Nathaniel Bingham, John Nicholas Bingham, Christopher Bingham, Chris Miniard, Benjamin Browning, Cody Carroll, and Eric Smith. Honorary pallbearers include deacons of Central Baptist Church.
Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.