Your help is needed in effort to stop Jellico Mountain logging project

Since my wife, Cecelia, and I got married nearly 20 years ago, we have traveled to a lot of places and seen a lot of natural and man-made beauty from the sea stacks off the coast of Oregon and the Caribbean at sunrise, to the Outer Banks along the Atlantic Ocean and some truly picturesque little harbor towns and lighthouses along the coast of Maine, plus a lot of places in between.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

These are some of the most beautiful places in the country, but so is southeastern Kentucky in the fall. When the leaves change colors, you won’t find too many prettier places in the world than right here at home.

Unfortunately, this could soon be changing in parts of Whitley and McCreary counties under a United States Forestry Service proposal to log nearly 10,000 acres of land in the Jellico Mountain area, including effectively clearcutting or removing all of the trees from half of that area.

Affected neighborhoods in either Whitley or McCreary counties, include: Buck’s Branch, Ryan’s Creek, Jellico Creek, Jackson Creek, Little Wolf Creek, Mulberry Hollow, Emby Moses, Wolf Creek River, Kensee Hollow, Black Oak, Osborn Creek and Little Rock Creek.

Besides ruining the landscape and beauty of a large chunk of southeastern Kentucky for decades to come, this project is a bad idea for several reasons.

Much of the Jellico Mountain area has steep slopes and clearcutting the area would cause unstable soil and significant landslide risks.

It would disturb habitats for numerous animals.

Clearcut areas also require constant maintenance to prevent invasive species, such as autumn olive, tree of heaven, deadly water hemlock, knotweed and everybody’s favorite, kudzu.

How will the forest service keep invasive species of plants and trees out you might ask? By spraying herbicides, not that herbicides have ever been known to cause issues. (Sarcasm greatly intended.)

Just ask some veterans about Agent Orange, which was sprayed during the Vietnam war and has caused a whole host health issues for United States military veterans and the people of Vietnam.

Don’t just take my word that this logging project is a bad idea or that of environmentalists.

A number of local loggers, former loggers and family members of loggers have spoken out against this project either during a November 2022 public forum or during a public forum held last Thursday in Williamsburg.

“I find it disgusting. Clear cutting on steep slopes should be outlawed,” said one person at the November 2022 meeting, who identified himself as a former logger.

During last Thursday’s meeting, there were at least two loggers and another person, who comes from a family of loggers, spoke out against clearcutting Jellico Mountain.

Organizers said that the forest service politely declined an invitation to speak during Thursday’s meeting.

No one present at Thursday’s meeting, voiced support for logging the Jellico Mountain area.

During the November 2022 forum where forest service representatives spoke, there were nearly 100 people present and public comments lasted over an hour.

Only two people spoke out, who weren’t in opposition to this project during that 2022 meeting.

The one person, who spoke out in favor of the project, identified himself as a procurement purchaser for a lumber company.

To the forest service’s credit, after the November 2022 town hall meeting and the more than 300 official comments on the draft proposal, the forest service did scale back its proposed action by 261 acres to 9,798 acres. The forest service also created two alternatives.

Alternative one would involve logging only 2,937 acres over six years with effective clearcutting of 1,124 acres.

Alternative two would involve no logging at all for the area.

Can this project be stopped or at least limited to alternative one, which isn’t great but is at least better than the original plan?

Maybe, but it is up to you, in part, and you are going to need to act quickly.

The United States Forestry Service now has a new comment period for its new proposed action, which ends on May 24.

If the public doesn’t speak out and speak out loudly enough, we are looking at nearly 10,000 acres of Whitley and McCreary counties being logged with roughly half of that being some form of clearcutting.

Let your voice be heard. Please log onto www.fs.usda.gov/goto/dbnf/jellico, hit comment/object on project, and then fill in your information and objection to the project.

I don’t ask readers to do this often, but please share this column and Trevor Sherman’s story about Thursday’s meeting on your social media and encourage your friends and family members to comment. I will be sharing this column among the official comments. The forest service is expected to issue its decision in October 2024 and begin logging in December 2024.

Community feedback utilized in alternative plans for proposed logging project

Theresa Martin

After another town hall meeting in Williamsburg last week, community members are once again being tasked with letting U.S. Forest Service officials know their thoughts on proposed logging work in the Jellico Mountain region of the Daniel Boone National Forest. (more…)

Legal Notices for 5-15-2024

NOTICE:

25 CORBIN LLC D/B/A Corbin Shell Food Mart declares its intention(s) to apply for NQ Retail Malt Beverage Package no Later than 06/02/2024. The licensed premises will be located at 2540 Cumberland Falls Hwy, Corbin, Ky 40701. The owner/officer(s) are Jayanti Adhikari, resident of 3868 Leighton Ln, Lexington KY 40515; Nabeen Thakur, resident of  3872 Leighton Ln, Lexington KY 40515; Binti Adhikari, resident of 2417 Geppa Ct, Lexington KY 40509. Any person, association, corporation, or body politic may protest the granting of the license(s) by writing the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 500 Mero St 2NE33, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, within thirty (30) days of the date of legal publication.

NOTICE:

Apollo Corbin, LLC  d/b/a Apollo Pizza Corbin Taproom hereby declares its intention(s) to apply for a NQ2 Retail Drink License and a Special Sunday Retail Drink License no later than September 30, 2024. The licensed premises will be located at 201-203 S. Main Street, Corbin, Kentucky, 40701. The members are Wesley Browne, 612 Dove Lane, Richmond, Kentucky, 40475, Kimberly Davis, 380 Highland Lakes Drive, Richmond, Kentucky 40475, and April Gago, 2735, Provincial Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Any person, association, corporation, or body politic may protest the granting of the license(s) by writing the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 500 Mero Street 2NE33, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601, within thirty (30) days of the date of legal publication.

ADVERTISEMENT TO RECEIVE CHEMICAL BIDS

The City Utilities Commission of 1515 Cumberland Falls Highway, Corbin KY will receive sealed bids for the time period July through December of 2024 to furnish and deliver Chlorine, Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Fluorosilicic Acid, Potassium Permanganate, Caustic Soda Liquid, Polyphosphate-Orthophosphate, Sodium Thiosulfate and Powdered Activated Carbon.

Sealed bids will be received at the CUC office, 1515 Cumberland Falls Highway, Corbin, Kentucky until Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Bid forms and specifications will be available at the CUC office during regular office hours M-F 8:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. (Phone 606-528-4026 Extension 100).  The CUC reserves the right to waive informalities and to reject any and all bids.

NOTICE:

The City of Williamsburg is hosting a public meeting on their proposed Kentucky Splash Walking Trail Recreational Trails Program (RTP) application. The specific purpose of this meeting is to discuss applying for funding for a 1.25-mile trail, benches, and lighting at Kentucky Splash Water Park and Campground. To provide a forum for discussion, the City of Williamsburg will be hosting an open meeting on:

Date: May 23, 2024

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location: Williamsburg City Hall

Address: 423 Main Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769

The public is invited to review and voice their opinion on the proposed activities and potential impacts of the project. Anyone wishing to support or oppose the proposed project can also submit written comments to Williamsburg City Hall by May 23, 2024.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO MINE

Pursuant to Application Number 918-0504 AM-3

In accordance with KRS 350.070 notice is hereby given that Alden Resources LLC 332 West Cumberland Gap Parkway, Suite 100, Corbin, Kentucky 40701 has applied for a permit for an amendment to an existing permit for a surface, auger/highwall coal mining and reclamation operation. The amendment will add 70.86 surface acres and 104.64 Auger/HWM acres affecting 574.42 acres located 5.25 miles east of Rockholds in Whitley & Knox Counties.

The proposed amendment area is approximately 5.25 miles east of Rockholds in Whitley & Knox County Kentucky, and is approximately 0.64 miles east of KY 1064 junction with Terrell Hollow Road.

The proposed amendment is located on the Rockholds, KY 7½ minute quadrangle map.  The amendment area will use a combination of contour, and auger/highwall miner methods of surface mining.  The surface mining area to be disturbed by the amendment is owned by Bobby Joe Terrell, Sherrie Grant, David Beller, Verna Dcker and Brian Elliott.

The application has been filed for public inspection at the Department for Surface Mining and Reclamation and Enforcement’s, Middlesboro Regional Office, 1804 East Cumberland Avenue, Middlesboro, Kentucky 40965-1229.  Written comments, objections or requests for a permit conference must be filed with the Director, Division of Mine Permits, 300 Sower Boulevard, 2nd Floor Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.

Mescal (Ellis) Stinnett

Mescal (Ellis) Stinnett, age 83, of Williamsburg, Kentucky departed this life on April 21, 2024 at her home.
Mescal was born on April 10, 1941 in Whitley County, Kentucky to Albert Ellis and Rebecca Kate (Shupe) Ellis.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Kate (Shupe) Ellis; husband, Jack Stinnett; son, Jack Stinnett; and brothers, Floyd Ellis and L.B. Ellis.
Mescal is survived by her daughter, Ronda Nealy; grandchildren, Mescal Grant, Tyrone Nealy, Jamie Nealy, Brittany Sulfridge, Sarah Stinnett, and Brandon Stinnett; great-grandchildren, Kylee Davis, Josie Sulfridge, Braiden Coldwell, Laykan Sulfridge, Brennan Stinnett, Jack Stinnett, Victoria Grant, Eli Grant, and Alli Henry; great-great-grandchild, Easton Lane; brothers, Pascal Ellis (Jonna), Ralph Ellis (Lib), and James Ellis (Peg); sister, Beverly Jones; several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn her passing.
Visitation will be 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 18, at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel.
A Celebration of Life will be at 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 18, at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Whitley County Public Health Records

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.

Courtni Aneisa Johnson

Courtni Aneisa Johnson, age 46, departed this life on May 10, 2024 at the Baptist Health in Corbin, Kentucky.
Courtni was born on October 2, 1977 in Corbin, Kentucky to Clyde Hardin Johnson and Clara (Reynolds) Johnson.
Courtni was preceded in death by her father, Clyde Hardin Johnson; grandparents, Warren and Odene Johnson and Bill and Mary Reynolds; and special aunt and uncle, Mary and Earl Powers.
Courtni is survived by her children, Jaden Johnson (Corey), Kaden Johnson (Kendell), Clyde Hayden Johnson, and Jerry Payten Johnson Fernald; mother, Clara (Reynolds) Johnson; sister, Connie (Johnson) Sampson; fiancée, Boyd Mills; nephew, David Alan Sampson II; niece, Courtni Sampson Paul (Jacob); and other family and friends to mourn her passing.
Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour on Monday, May 13, at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM on Monday, May 13, at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bob Bunch and Rev. Paul Rhodes.
Interment will be private.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Roscoe Hutson

Roscoe Hutson, age 106, of the Saxton Community of Whitley County, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 8, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family.
He was born on December 15, 1917, to the late George Benton Hutson, Sr. & Mary K. (Chaver) Hutson in Jellico, Tennessee.
He was a long-time member of the Clearfork Baptist Church.
Roscoe proudly served our country in the United States Army Air Force during World War II.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Joyce Hutson; brothers and sisters, George Benton Hutson, Jr., Clara Alma Hutson, Cecil Robert Hutson, Howard Monroe Hutson, William Preston Hutson, Mary Anne Hutson, Freda Flora Hutson, Anna Myrtle Hutson, Clarence Edward Hutson, James Douglas Hutson, Mabel Marie Hutson, Homer Phillip Hutson, and Louise Lillian (Hutson) Hughes; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe Matt Lawson and Ethel Lawson.
He is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Wilma (Lawson) Hutson, of the Saxton Community; son, David R. Hutson, and wife, Beverly, of Fletcher, Ohio; grandson, David E. Hutson, and wife, Amy, of Bradford, OH; granddaughter, Sarah Sharp, and husband, Ben, of Union City, OH; two great-grandchildren, Dustin Hutson and Colton Hutson, both of Bradford, OH; numerous nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and great-nephews; and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn his passing.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday afternoon, May 13, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Cox & Son Funeral Home Chapel.
Military honors will be presented by the Jellico Honor Guard on Monday evening, May 13, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cox & Son Funeral Home Chapel immediately following the visitation.
Graveside service and interment will follow on Wednesday afternoon, May 15, at 2:00 p.m. at the Fletcher Cemetery in Fletcher, Ohio, under the direction of Suber, Shively and Vernon Funeral Home.
The family requests that any monetary memorial contributions be made to the Jellico Honor Guard in Mr. Hutson’s memory.
Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico is in charge of all local arrangements.

Rev. Harold “Pete” Norman

Rev. Harold “Pete” Norman, age 76, of Elk Valley, Pioneer, Tennessee passed away Friday, May 10, 2024, at his home.
He was born July 29, 1947, in Elk Valley, Tennessee.
Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Woodard and Sybil (Baird) Norman; brothers, Don Norman, Roger Norman, and James Norman; sisters, Elma Norman, and Joan Campbell.
He is survived by his wife, Bryn (Day) Norman; son, Rev. Danny Ray Norman and wife Peggy; grandchildren, Dakota, Kaleigh, and Gracie Norman; brothers, Darrell Norman and wife Mert, Ronnie Norman and wife Donna, and Sonny Norman; sister, Cynthia Jones and husband Rick; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his passing.
The family will receive friends from 2-7 pm on Tuesday, May 14, at the Lick Fork Baptist Church. Funeral will follow at 7 pm with Rev. Danny Ray Norman, Rev. J.R. Massengale, Rev. Carley Duncan and other visiting preaching brothers officiating.
Burial will be at 2 pm on Wednesday, May 15, in the Lick Fork Cemetery
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Ella Rains

Ella Rains, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on May 9, 2024, at the age of 73 in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Born on November 2, 1950, in Williamsburg to the late George Siler and Joie (Faulkner) Siler. She is also preceded in death by her brother Rocky Siler.
She leaves behind her devoted husband of over 55 years, Carl Rains of Williamsburg, Kentucky; daughter, Annnetta Lewis (Danny) of Rockholds, KY; son, Allen Rains (Shawnda) of Corbin, KY; granddaughters, Kristen Gentry (Jesse) Summer Rains; and great-granddaughter, Alivia Hembree, as well as her sister, Darlene Sears (James) of Rockholds, KY.
Ella also leaves several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn her passing.
A funeral service to honor and celebrate Ella’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 14, at 1:00 pm at Croley Funeral Home.
Visitation will be on Monday, May 13, at 5:00 pm at Croley Funeral Home.
The burial will be in the Siler Cemetery on Highway 904 in Williamsburg KY following the service on Tuesday.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

David Allen Greenwood

David Allen Greenwood, 77, of Gray, passed away Saturday afternoon, May 4, 2024 at the St. Joseph London Hospital.
He was the son of the late Eugene Q. and Bernice Goins Greenwood born on August 3, 1946 in Oak Ridge, TN.
David was a former manager with H. S. Kress, TG&Y and Walmart and a member of the Locust Grove Baptist Church, where he was active in the Brotherhood and Men’s Sunday School Class. He was also involved in Andy’s Honda Motorcycle Travelers, Knox County UNITE, Hometown Bank Varsity Club and the Knox County Chamber of Commerce.
On November 10, 1984, he united in marriage with Claudia Gibson.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Claude A. Gibson Jr. and Ivadean Harmon Gibson.
Survivors include his loving wife, Claudia Gibson Greenwood of Gray; children, Angie Teague of LaFollette, TN and Missy Tackett and husband, Greg, of Jacksboro, TN; a sister, Jane Sowder and husband, Don, of Jacksboro, TN; treasured grandchildren, Leah Teague and husband, Jonathan Snellings, Nick Teague, Emily Tackett and Seth Tackett; nieces and nephews, Lee Gibson and wife, Tina, Beau Gibson, Derrick Ross Sowder and Jennifer Bolton and Thomas Cannon; great nieces and nephews, Laura, Greta, Jack, Mae and Maddie Gibson; an aunt, Martha Helton of Knoxville, TN; several cousins; among other loved ones and dear friends.
His funeral service was conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Thursday, May 9 at 2 P.M.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.