Pretrial diversion recommended for clerk, who sold vape to underage teenager

A pretrial diversion has been recommended for a Corbin vape store employee, who sold a vape to an underage teenager in late March.

Corbin doctor says he should be able to work from home, but code board disagrees

If you are a doctor, who is licensed to practice anywhere in Kentucky, do you have the right to operate a medical clinic out of your home even if that home is located in an area zoned for residential use?

Dr. Christopher Stokes addressed the Corbin City Commission Monday in regards to a dispute over the location of his medical practice, which is at his home in a residential zone. His attorney said that a lawsuit is possible if the dispute can’t be worked out.

Federal fugitive arrested in Keavy following pursuit

A federal fugitive from Virginia was arrested Monday following a pursuit with police, which ended in Keavy, where the man allegedly fired two shots at officers before being taken into custody.

According to a release, a task force with the United State Marshals Service was attempting to arrest Byron Howard, 71, when he fled police in a vehicle. Howard allegedly led the task force officers in a pursuit before losing control of his vehicle, leaving the roadway and striking a tree on Moberly Bend Road in southwestern Laurel County.

Once the vehicle had come to rest, Howard allegedly fired two shots at police before ultimately peacefully surrendering.

Howard suffered cardiac issues during the incident, which he was treated for at the scene by Laurel County EMS before being transported to Baptist Health Corbin for further treatment.

Howard has been charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, third-degree burglary, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and five counts of attempted murder. He was wanted out of Virginia on charges of possession of methamphetamine in a national park and possession of a handgun in a national park.

According to online jail records on Tuesday, Howard still has yet to be released from the hospital and transported to the Laurel County Correctional Facility.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Department, London Police Department, Corbin Police Department and Kentucky State Police assisted the task force in the arrest. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Department and Corbin Police Department are conducting the crime scene investigation where the incident occurred.

Hearing set for Wren DUI conviction appeal

Arguments are expected to be heard early next month regarding an appeal in the case of a Williamsburg attorney who was convicted earlier this year on DUI and reckless driving charges.

Electronic Edition For 5-22-24

Victim involved in fatal Sunday motorcycle crash identified

The victim in a fatal Sunday evening motorcycle crash in Corbin has been identified.

Grand Jury indicts two for possessing matter with a sexual performance by a minor

The Whitley County Grand Jury indicted two people in separate cases Monday morning in connection with possession of matter containing a sexual performance by a minor charges following separate Kentucky State Police (KSP) investigations.

March unemployment rates decrease in Laurel, Knox, Bell counties

Unemployment rates decreased in Laurel, Knox and Bell counties between February 2024 and March 2024 and remained the same in Whitley and McCreary counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Whitley County

Whitley County’s unemployment rate remained at 5.9 percent between February 2024 and March 2024. Whitley County’s March 2024 unemployment rate was 1.2 percent higher than the March 2023 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5 percent in February 2024 to 5.4 percent in March 2024. Laurel County’s March 2024 unemployment rate was 1.1 percent higher than the March 2023 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased from 7.1 percent in February 2024 to 7.0 percent in March 2024. Knox County’s March 2024 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent higher than the March 2023 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 6.7 percent in February 2024 to 6.6 percent in March 2024. Bell County’s March 2024 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent higher than the March 2023 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate remained at 7.4 percent between February 2024 and March 2024. McCreary County’s March 2024 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent higher than the March 2023 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate remained at 5.1 percent between February 2024 and March 2024. Kentucky’s March 2024 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent higher than the March 2023 unemployment rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 116 counties between March 2023 and March 2024, fell in Bullitt, Fulton and Lewis counties, and remained the same in Spencer County, according to KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.7 percent. It was followed by Washington County, 3.8 percent; Marion and Shelby counties, 4.1 percent; Anderson, Fayette, Oldham, Scott and Spencer counties, 4.2 percent each; and Bourbon, Carroll, Cumberland and Nelson counties, 4.3 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.1 percent. It was followed by Martin County, 10.1 percent; Breathitt County, 9.3 percent; Elliott County, 9.2 percent; Lewis County, 8.8 percent; Carter County, 8.7 percent; Menifee County, 8.6 percent; Knott County, 8.5 percent; and Johnson and Leslie counties, 8.3 percent each.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 5.1 percent for March 2024, and 3.9 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 13,755 people with 12,945 employed and 810 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,046,924 people with 1,943,423 employed and 103,501 unemployed.

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

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.

Lawsuits