Whitley, Knox Co. residents graduate DOCJT Public Safety Dispatch Academy

Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) announced Friday that 26 dispatchers from across the state graduated from the Public Safety Dispatch Academy and are now ready to begin answering the call to aid both citizens and law enforcement officers of the commonwealth, including the Whitley County Communication Center’s Braden W. Bird and the Knox County 911 Dispatch Center’s Jennifer L. Gifford.

“Your commitment to your community and the commonwealth is honorable,” Beshear said. “You are the lifeline to those who are experiencing the toughest moments of their lives. I applaud you for your decision to pursue this profession.”

Dispatch basic training is mandatory for any sworn or civilian employee who will dispatch law enforcement officers by radio at a Criminal Justice Information Systems agency.

Graduates of the academy have successfully completed a highly structured and comprehensive curriculum to satisfy mandated training requirements. The graduates of Class 156 received 164 hours of academy instruction to satisfy these requirements over four weeks. Major training areas included: identifying the role and responsibilities of the dispatcher, correcting phone and radio procedures, handling emergency and non-emergency calls for service, using emergency medical dispatch protocols and using the state and national criminal databases.

“Choosing to become a member of this time-honored profession is admirable,” said DOCJT Commissioner Nicolai Jilek. “It requires the utmost professionalism and perseverance. We wish you the best of luck in your careers.”

 

Corbin Middle School Kindness Club asking people to ‘BE KIND’

The Corbin Middle School (CMS) Kindness Club, which was created by former Ossoli Club May Day Queen 2022 MaryAlice McVey, is continuing to spread kindness on the campus of Corbin Middle School.

McVey along with the CMS Kindness Club created a simple message on the school campus fence as a gentle reminder, “When you can be anything, BE KIND.”

McVey, a senior at Corbin High School said, “The Kindness Club at Corbin Middle School, nurtured by the Ossoli Club’s Anti-Bullying Platform, stands as a testament to the transformative power of intentional acts of kindness. By providing a framework for anti-bullying initiatives, the Ossoli Club has empowered schools like Corbin Middle School to create tangible solutions that combat bullying and foster a positive school culture.”

 

A look back at Colonel Fest 2024…

2024 marked the first time in its four year history that Colonel Fest has been a two-day event last Friday and Saturday. Colonel Fest featured a variety of children’s games, such as an ice cream eating contest and an egg toss, face painting, a 10K race, music, and various other entertainment.

 

Long time Whitley County public servant Charlie Siler dies at the age of 94

During his long career of public service, the accomplishment that former 82^nd Representative Charles “Charlie” Lewis Siler was most proud of wasn’t a building or a roadway.

“The single most thing I am proud of is the gigantic jump in educational standing that we were able to bring about,” Siler during a 2011 interview with the News Journal.

Siler noted that his vote for the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) was costly for him and several other legislators, who were defeated in the 1980s largely because of the vote and subsequent tax increase to support it.

“The need was a new system of accountability and application, and adequate funding to make it work. Without one, the other means nothing,” he said.

Before KERA passed, Kentucky was ranked 49th out of 50 states in education. In 2011, it was near the mid-point of states, Siler noted.

Siler, who was also a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel, died on April 23, 2024, at the age of 94 at Baptist Health Corbin.

“It is with great sadness that I offer my deepest sympathy to the family of former State Representative Charlie Siler. Charlie was a friend, a beloved member of the House, and a well-respected leader who never forgot where he came from and never walked away from a difficult vote,” Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne said in a release Thursday.

“He served our nation with great distinction, with a military career that included every major military event of the last half of the 20th century. While he served throughout the world and was heavily decorated, Charlie was as humble about his service as he was proud of his Kentucky roots.”

Siler had a proud military career in the U.S. Army that traced the narrative arc of the last half of the 20th Century.

It began with the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. He served in occupied Japan then in the Korean War. He was with the troops protecting Dr. Martin Luther King’s Civil Rights march on Montgomery in the 1960’s. His military decorations include two awards of the Legion of Merit, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Bronze Star for Valor, an Army Commendation Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, Master Paratrooper Wings, and as a member of the Infantry OCS Hall of Fame.

Siler was first elected to the state legislature in 1984, and served three terms from 1985 – 1990 as 82^nd Representative.

Siler was defeated in 1990 by Jo Elizabeth Bryant.

He ran in 1994, and was elected again as 82nd Representative. Siler served from 1995 until the end of 2010.

He rose to the rank of vice-chairperson of the powerful appropriations and revenue committee until his defeat in 2010.

In the 2011 interview, Siler said that one of his top priorities was bringing jobs to the region.

He said this isn’t as simple as just asking a company to locate here, but rather laying the infrastructure to support not only businesses, but also so there will be houses for people to move into with things like running water.

“My pattern was essentially to prioritize those things, which built the infrastructure necessary for there to be a modern economy,” Siler said.

Siler said he thinks that he has largely succeeded in his goal to have water available to everyone, who wants it.

“We have every major route covered with waterlines. We have people that don’t have it because they didn’t ask for it,” he said.

Siler said were are several other projects that he was proud of his role in helping the district or region get, including the Corbin Technology Center, the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center, upgrades to the Corbin water system for fire suppression purposes, and improvements to Ky. 92 among others.

Siler’s choice for his favorite governor to work with might surprise some.

He was glad when Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher was elected, and noted Fletcher was extremely good to the area, but “his own worst enemy.”

“The governor I could do the most with was Paul Patton,” Siler noted during the 2011 interview.

While Patton was Pike County Judge-Executive, Siler served with him on the Coal County Coalition, and developed a lasting friendship with him.

“He’d ask me a time or two to do something, I would tell him that I couldn’t go that way and it was contrary to my principles,” Siler said.

“He would back off right away, but he included me. He often called me at home on weekends to talk about things. At one point we were considering the reform of higher education.”

During one conversation, Patton asked Siler about the University of Kentucky being over the community colleges.

Siler told him that he thought a flagship university had a higher calling than to shepherd a dozen community college and produce a basketball team.

“They had poor graduation rates, and a degree in four years was a rare thing,” Siler said.

Patton told him that he was putting together a small group to brainstorm about higher education reform, and asked Siler to serve on it.

Out of that group the idea came about to form what is now the Kentucky Community College Technical System, which oversees about 57 campuses.

Siler said his relationship with Patton came in handy since he was the first two-term governor in the state.

“For eight years, I knew I had a friend in high office. I went directly to him on some of the things I needed to get done,” Siler said.

In 2012, the Kentucky House of Representatives and the Kentucky Senate both recognized Siler as the recipient of the 2011 Vic Hellard Jr. Award for exemplary public service on Feb. 1, and adjourned that day in his honor.

The Vic Hellard, Jr. Award was created in 1997 to recognize outstanding public service in the spirit Hellard brought to it: good humor, compassion, vision, a reverence for history but a questing thirst for our great shared future, an unwavering belief in the workings of democracy and in the innate American goodness of the people of Kentucky that Hellard expressed through his core conviction that public service is a citizen’s highest civic calling, according to a resolution based in both chambers in Siler’s honor.

Each year the award goes to someone, who embodies the values that Hellard brought to his long career, including a public servant of vision, who appreciates history while finding innovative approaches to hard problems, someone who champions the equality and dignity of all, nurtures the processes of a democratic society, and promotes public dialogue while educating and fostering civic engagement, and who approaches that work with commitment, caring, generosity, and humor, according to the resolutions.

“Charlie Siler embodies all of these criteria and attributes perfectly,” the resolutions noted.

“Charlie served two notable stints in the Kentucky General Assembly before saying farewell in 2010 as one of Frankfort’s most beloved and respected lawmakers. Charlie was a quietly passionate voice for the people of his beloved Laurel and Whitley counties, and a leader of vision and good humor whose tireless work made life and the future better for all Kentuckians, whether they knew his name or not.”

Visitation will be at 1 p.m. until the funeral house on Saturday, April 27, at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. James Hodge officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Moses Addition of Pleasant View Cemetery.

Military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 88 of Corbin.

For complete obituary information, see https://www.thenewsjournal.net/charles-lewis-siler/.

 

Robert Bryant Maiden

Robert Bryant Maiden, age 88, of Jellico, Tennessee, passed away early Wednesday morning, April 24, 2024, at his home.
He was born on August 31, 1935, to the late William Henry Maiden, Sr. and Geneva (Jaynes) Maiden in Eagan, TN. His paternal grandparents were the late James Maiden and Martha (Lambdin) Maiden. His maternal grandparents were the late John Jaynes and Rachel (Dean) Jaynes.
He was a graduate of Jellico High School – Class of 1955.
Robert owned several businesses in the Jellico and LaFollette area throughout the years. Robert was a long-time member of Eagan Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Patsy (Maiden) Teague; two brothers, William H. “June Bug” Maiden, Jr. and Ray Maiden; brother-in-law, Craig Teague; sister-in-law, Georgia (Grady) Maiden; infant nephew, Billy Maiden; great-nephew, Fisher Barton; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard Gilburth and Lora Mae (Campbell) Gilburth.
He is survived by his wife, Sue (Gilburth) Maiden, of Jellico; son, Andy Bill Maiden, of Jellico; two grandchildren, Blake Maiden, and wife, Jamie Grace, and Bailee Maiden, all of Jellico; four step-children, Dan Renner, and wife, Michelle, of Powell, TN, and Richard “Dutch” Renner, of Jellico, Lori (Renner) Jones, and husband, Bill, of Corbin, KY, and Barbie (Renner) Bruce, and husband, Keith, of Jellico; ten step-grandchildren, Britney Douglas, and husband, Donnie Ray, Julie Qualls, and husband, Ryan, Amanda Renner, Taylor Jones, and wife, Katie, Clint Thomas, Tiffany Bruce, Drew Bruce, and wife, Matracia, Mike Renner, Roman Renner, and Eli Renner; 11 step great-grandchildren, Macyn, Evan and Kyle Douglas, Decklin and Jensen Marr, Lily Jane, Baylor and Nolan Bruce, and Campbell, Tucker and Dylan Qualls.
Robert is also survived by four nieces, Carolyn (Maiden) Gillam, and husband, Pete, of South Vienna, Ohio, Terri Maiden, of Williamsburg, KY, Kimberly (Maiden) Bryant, of Knoxville, TN, and Deana Rae (Maiden) Barton, and husband, Wayne, of the High Cliff Community of Jellico; eight great-nieces and great-nephews, Jami Ripley and Ryan Gillam, both of South Vienna, OH, Lindsay Brown, of Indianapolis, Indiana, Michael Culver, Jeni Ann (Culver) Keene, Ashli Culver, Raeanne (Barton) Hinkle, and Grace (Barton) Rountree; several great-great nieces and great-great nephews; sister-in-law, Brenda Maiden; special life-long friends, John E. Clifton, Dennis Teague, and Bobby Teague, and a host of friends, neighbors, and other relatives to mourn his passing.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday afternoon, April 27, 2024, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Douglas Cemetery with Dr. Bob Dunston officiating.
Interment will immediately follow.
Cox & Son Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

 

Charles Lewis Siler

Hon. Charles Lewis Siler LTC Army (Ret.), age 94, departed this life on April 23, 2024 at the Baptist Health in Corbin, Kentucky.
Charles was born on June 30, 1929 in Alva, Kentucky to Frank M. Siler and Ida (Carter) Siler.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank M. and Ida (Carter) Siler; wife, Dorthalene (Helton) Siler; sisters, Anna Glasgow, Lillian Broyles, and Barbara Wilder; brothers, Roland Siler, James Siler, William ”Buster” Siler, Frank Siler, and Ray Siler.
Charles was a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, a Korean War and Vietnam Combat Veteran, retired a US Army Lt. Colonel, serving over 26 years, a Kentucky State Representative of 82nd District serving Whitley and Laurel Counties for over 26 years.He was awarded the Vic Hellard Award by the LRC.
Charlie enjoyed working on his farm raising cattle and gardening. In his free time, he could be caught fishing with his family and friends.
Charlie’s recognitions, consisted of Officer Candidate School (OCS) Hall of Fame, Master Paratrooper, Bronze Star, Legion Merit, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Charles is survived by his children, Michael Lewis Siler (Kathy Ann), Kathryn Siler, and Donald B Siler (Donna); grandchildren, Adam Siler (Jamie), Jennifer Brennenstuhl (Chad), Emily Jones (Brad), Erika Linker (Derrick), Heather Siler, and Daniel Siler (Jennifer); sixteen great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; sister, Lena Parker; several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn his passing.
Visitation will be 1:00 PM until the funeral hour on Saturday, April 27, at the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church at Savoy.
Funeral service will be at 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 27, at the Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. James Hodge officiating.
He will be laid to rest in the Moses Addition of Pleasant View Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 88 of Corbin, Kentucky.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Earth Day celebrated in downtown W’Burg

Photos by TIMOTHY WYATT 

The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension held its 10th Annual Earth Day Celebration on Monday at the Green Space on Main in downtown Williamsburg. A variety of vendors were on-hand to promote environmental awareness, as well as a number of different family-friendly activities, such as a gem dig and an inflatable slide. Cortney Moses, extension agent for the extension office, said it was among the best turnouts the event has ever had, with more than 200 people attending.

 

Baptist Health Corbin collects unused medicine to help curb drug abuse

Ever wonder what to do with those old, unused prescriptions that said “take as needed,” but you only needed about half of them? How about what to do with your grandmother’s left over medication after she passed away?

This weekend you will have the chance to dispose of those medications safely thanks to the efforts of a Corbin pharmacy and the federal government.

On Saturday (April 27) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Baptist Health Corbin Pharmacy and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

The Baptist Health Corbin Pharmacy, which is located at 1 Trillium Way, will play host to Saturday’s disposal event. It also has a secure disposal container available year-round, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in case you miss Saturday’s event.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Sites cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.

Baptist Health Corbin Pharmacists Lynn McArthur added, “Up to 80 percent of patients have leftover opioids after elective surgery. It is important to dispose of all unused, expired or unwanted prescription drugs so they don’t get into the wrong hands. Drug abuse is a very real problem in our area and we want to do everything we can to help eliminate this temptation.”

The 26^th Take Back Day is an effort backed by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to collect expired, unwanted and unused prescription medications.

During the DEA’s last National Take Back Day in October 2023, there were 4,675 collection sites that collected 599,897 pounds or 300 tons of prescription medications. The total weight of medications collected all time during the national take back days is 17,900,351 pounds or 8,950 tons, according to the DEA’s website.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including those from home medicine cabinets, so clearing out unused medicine is essential, Baptist Health Corbin officials wrote in a release.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 27 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com or call Baptist Health Corbin Pharmacy at (606) 526-8335.

 

Update: Draft environmental assessment for proposed Jellico Mtn. logging job to be released

The Stearns Ranger District of the Daniel Boone National Forest has announced that they will release a draft environmental assessment for the Jellico Vegetation Management Project on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The project, now open for public comment, proposes to conduct silvicultural treatments, including timber harvest, intermediate treatments and associated road work, on approximately 9,600 acres of National Forest lands in McCreary and Whitley counties. (more…)

 

May Day voting concludes Friday (April 26) at noon

The Ossoli Club of Corbin’s May Day Tea Ossoli Club of Corbin was held Sunday at The Pennington in downtown Corbin.

After the second count in the May Day race on April 19, first place for May Day Queen was Karlee Dickerson. Jayden Fox was in second place, and Audrey Mahan was in third place.

In the race for Tiny Queen, August Blake Taylor was in first place after the second count. Lainey Paige Williams was in second place, and Avery Martin was in third place.

Voting will end at noon on Friday, April 26. The May Day Festival is sponsored annually by the GFWC Kentucky Ossoli Club of Corbin.

This year’s festival will be held at the Corbin Arena on Friday, May 3.