Corbin splashpad repairs not expected to delay opening

There is good news for local youngsters looking forward to the opening of Corbin’s splashpad this summer.

Colonel Fest will cause partial Main Street closure Friday (April 19), Saturday (April 20)

Be forewarned that if you want to travel in downtown Corbin Friday afternoon through Saturday evening, then you may experience some detours and delays due to the partial closing of Main Street for Colonel Fest.

Colonel Fest will be held Friday (April 19) and Saturday (April 20), and as a result, Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between Fourth Street and Gordon starting at noon Friday through 8 p.m. Saturday.

The festival will be held from 3 – 9 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday.

Also, the Colonel Sanders 10K race will require a large portion of Depot Street to be closed from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. Saturday. In addition, traffic on Kentucky Avenue will be reduced to one lane during this time.

Motorists should expect delays if they travel through the area during these times.

Corbin Tourism officials are encouraging businesses to use this opportunity to promote and advertise their business.

“We invite you all to get involved by handing out coupons or fliers or running specials or promotional offers,” Corbin Tourism officials wrote in an e-mail to local businesses.

Now in its fourth year, this is the first time that Colonel Fest has been a two-day event.

During the Friday portion of the festival, dozens of craft vendors will be on hand as well as a variety of activities for kids and families to partake in, including a Colonel Look Alike Contest, fried chicken eating contest, a petting zoo and more.

An additions to this year’s festival is stage entertainment, which will be available both days.

The few things that attendees can expect to have to pay for include feeding the petting zoo animals and parakeets or rides on the ponies and steer. Feed for the petting zoo will be $2. Feed for the parakeets will be $3. Pony rides will cost $7 and steer rides will cost $10.

Check out local school drama teams this week and next

One of the things that has impressed me the most in recent years when it comes to our local high school and middle school students has been the overall quality of the drama productions that different area schools have produced. I have had the opportunity to see several plays and musicals, and I always walk away amazed at how well these young folks handle themselves while performing on stage in front of large crowds. (more…)

Bond reduction denied for former Whitley Co. teacher, coach facing sex charges involving minors

The former Whitley County teacher and coach who was indicted last month on multiple sexual-related charges involving a minor was arraigned Monday, where a request to reduce his bond was also denied.

Legal Notices for 4-17-2024

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578), citizens are afforded the opportunity to express their views concerning the recreational needs of their community. To provide a forum for discussion, the Whitley County Fiscal Court will be hosting an open meeting on:

Date: 4-25-24

Time:  1:00pm

Location:  Whitley County Court House (Fiscal Court Room)

Address:  100 Main Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769

The specific purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Whitley County Fairgrounds Improvement Project. The project will create a trail loop around the fairgrounds, new bathhouses, and benches.

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 the Whitley County Fiscal Court at P.O. Box 237 Williamsburg, KY 40769 by Monday May 6th, 2024.

NOTICE:

Public inspection of the voting equipment to be utilized in the May 21st, 2024, Primary Election in Whitley County (including the absentee equipment) will be held on April 24th, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the Election Department of the Whitley County Clerk’s office. (KRS 117.165)

Carolyn Willis, Whitley County Clerk,

Chairman, Whitley County Board of Elections

Southeast South-Central Education Co-op presenting iTeach Palooza event on April 23

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for professional educators to feel under appreciated these days. The news is filled with headlines about teachers fighting for increased pay and/or better benefits, and the ongoing teacher shortage in Kentucky is a constant point of concern. (more…)

This will be a big year for me as I go through ‘My Journey’

You know the saying, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” I regret not recording the many stories my late sister, Bena Mae, told me on our many talks in the last years of her life. We talked about it but procrastinated.

I would sit in awe as I listened to what she had experienced in her life. At age 80 she developed leukemia and fought it until her death at age 89. I visited her often at her home in Clinton, Tennessee. Also, we talked on the telephone everyday.

Many of you will remember her column in this newspaper called, “Simple Pleasures.” It appeared here for 25 years. Not only that, she authored a book of the same name that featured several of her stories along with recipes submitted by readers of this newspaper. The hardbound edition of the book sold out in a hurry.

Bena Mae’s column was the most popular column ever to appear in this newspaper. We received more letters and telephone calls about the column than any other ever.

When I became publisher of this newspaper in 1987 she advised me that we would need a page devoted to women. I agreed and that is when she started writing the column, but without her name attached to it.

She wanted me to leave off her name because she wasn’t sure our readers would like it. After three months I told her we were selling newspapers just because of the column and people were raving about it. I told her from then on her name was to appear.

From time to time after her death we would run editions from the past. Her stories never got old and I could reprint them today and although you may have read them in the past you would enjoy them as much today. However, space in the newspaper has been at a premium since we sized down after Covid and we use this page to express the views of those of us working here.

But because of my lack of judgement to record the stories Bena Mae told me, it taught me a lesson. You see, I am at the end of my line also. This will be a big year for me and I want to write about some of the past happenings of my life. I will never be the writer Bena Mae was, in my opinion the best writer I have ever read, but I will attempt to document what it has like to grow up in Whitley County.

Like I said, this is a big year for me. Most importantly it will be the 60th anniversary of my marriage to Judy Holman Estep on June 1. That is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Also in June it will mark a completed 37 years as publisher of this newspaper. Back in 1987 Terry Forcht put his trust in me to run this operation. And I will add that working for him has been a pleasure. I don’t think either of us ever thought that we would have the success that we have had with a weekly newspaper.

Next, I will turn 85 years of age this year. Never would I have thought that I would still be working at this age. Really it is not work if you enjoy what you are doing.

It wasn’t easy.

The first several years of this operation were hard. But because of a good staff and the backing of Terry Forcht, we persevered and became the largest and best weekly newspaper in the state.

At age 65 I had in my head that it was time to retire so I went to Terry and told him that I was thinking about retiring. He said to me, “We don’t use that word around here!” I am so thankful he said that. I’m also so thankful he has put up with me another 20 years.

I will never come close to storytelling the way my sister could do it in her column, but there are so many stories in my head that I want to share that mostly from now on I will leave the editorializing to our news staff while I reminisce.

I also want to touch on current events from time to time. One such event is the induction of Coach Larry “Cotton” Adams being inducted into the 2024 Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame.

The event will take place Sunday, April 28, at the Central Bank Center Ballroom in Lexington.

Tickets for that event are now on sale at www.khsaatickets.org. The last day to purchase tickets will be April 23.

Congratulation to Coach Adams for this honor. I have seen the plaques of those honored in the past and it is very impressive.

Finally, there is a song that goes, “I wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now,” and that gave me the idea for a new column heading. From now on it’s “My Journey!”

‘Footloose Prom’ being held for those not able to attend traditional event

In 2019, the first-ever “Footloose Prom” was held at the Corbin Civic Center. The idea behind the event was to give local students who had to miss their school proms for one reason or another a second chance to make those important memories. It was a big success, with hundreds of students attending, which factored into why the event will be making its return in 2024. (more…)

Upper Cumberland Community Foundation awards grants to local organizations

The Upper Cumberland Community Foundation has awarded $20,000 in grants throughout Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel, and Whitley counties. Each county had an allocated $4,000, and with those funds was awarded grants ranging from $500 to $2,500. The online grant application was open from Jan. 1 through Feb. 2.

Upper Cumberland Community Foundation’s yearly grant fund is a result of the money raised from their annual poker run. At this fundraising event, participants pay an entry fee to complete an exciting journey through Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel, and Whitley counties, building a poker hand at each stop. Some of the participating vehicles include motorcycles, classic cars, jeeps, sports cars, and more.

When the 2024 Poker Run is scheduled, an announcement will be made on Upper Cumberland Community Foundation’s Facebook page.

The Upper Cumberland Community Foundation’s board members anticipate the positive impact that these grants will have in Whitley County.

Upper Cumberland Board of Advisors member Rich Prewitt said, “Williamsburg has many worthy nonprofits. I look forward to the day when we can support even more.”

Co-Chair and Secretary Sandi Curd also stated, “I’m thrilled to participate with an organization that raises money to grant back to our most vulnerable folks.”

As part of the recent grant cycle, Whitley County received the following grants:

• $1,334 to the Whitley County Farmers’ Market Double Dollars program
• $1,666 to the Corbin First Baptist White Flag Relief program
• $500 to the Millstone Community Theatre Guild
• $500 to the Cumberland River Straight Shooters to support students in archery

The Upper Cumberland Community Foundation is an Eastern Kentucky regional affiliate, working to enrich the quality of life for the citizens of Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel, and Whitley Counties.

Donate to the Upper Cumberland Community Foundation at: http://bit.ly/UpperCumberlandCF.

UC, EKU again honored as Military Friendly® Schools

The University of the Cumberlands and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) have both been recognized as 2024-2025 Military Friendly^® Schools with EKU taking the second highest ranking in the country.

University of the Cumberlands has received gold status among private universities offering doctoral degrees, as ranked by Military Friendly^®. This marks the third consecutive year Cumberlands has earned gold status from the organization.

In short, rankings by Military Friendly^® are a gauge to tell which organizations – employers as well as higher education institutions – offer superior assistance to U.S. military veterans and current members.

Cumberlands first earned Military Friendly^® status in 2018, making the Top 10 list nationwide among private universities offering doctoral programs in 2018.

University of the Cumberlands offers both in-seat and fully online degree programs to military personnel and veterans. Both in-seat and online students receive financial aid through the university. Cumberlands offers programs in information technology, health sciences, business administration, criminal justice, and many other fields for all degree levels from associate through doctoral.

EKU honored

EKU has achieved a significant milestone in the 2024-25 Military Friendly^Ⓡ Schools ratings, rising to the No. 2 spot from its previous position of No. 3. EKU proudly holds the No. 2 ranking nationwide for Military Spouse Friendly Schools, further solidifying its dedication to providing comprehensive support to the military community.

“It is our greatest honor at EKU to serve those who have served our country,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “We are proud to be recognized yet again as one of the best in the country for Military Friendly^Ⓡ Schools. This award solidifies what we have known for a long time – EKU is a great destination for veterans and their families. We have worked tirelessly to ensure they have the support, facilities and programming to reach their goals.”

More than 1,800 schools across the country participated in this year’s Military Friendly^Ⓡ Schools survey. To receive a ranking, institutions must meet a variety of standards, including thresholds for retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence and loan default rates for all students, specifically for student veterans.

“I owe EKU and the ROTC Department more than words can express for what I have achieved in my life,” said LTC (Retired) Michael McClellan, who graduated from EKU in 1967. He went on to serve 22 years in active duty, including a tour in Vietnam, eventually retiring in 1990.

Dr. April Bixler, a two-time EKU graduate and now professor of veteran studies at EKU, said, “After my military service was over and I was contemplating where to settle, I couldn’t think of a better place than where I was born: Richmond! I had an incredible experience in the EKU online master’s program Safety, Security and Emergency Management (SSEM). For my master’s, there were so many connections from my military experience that really tied into my program. I always felt supported.”

Because her time as a master’s student was a success, Bixler said she decided to use her GI Bill benefits – which help veterans pay for college, graduate school and certificate programs – again for an Education Doctorate (EdD).

Bixler also said the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs (OMVA) and the faculty and staff who run it really helped her during her time as a student. “They are dedicated to serving veteran students and their needs,” she said.

As part of EKU’s commitment to veterans education, the 3,000-square-foot Veterans Education and Transition Support (VETS) Center provides a centralized campus space just for veterans and military service members.

Other recent investments include the relocation of the EKU Veterans Memorial to Carloftis Garden; and the Kit Carson Commons Scholar House, prioritizing affordable housing for single-parent military service members and veterans enrolled in an approved post-secondary institution.

Additionally, EKU was awarded a five-year federal grant for a Veterans Upward Bound program to prepare first-generation, low-income veterans to enter post-secondary education.

EKU is home to over 1,600 veterans, active duty service members, Reserve/National Guard members and military spouses and children, as of Fall 2023. For more information about available services, visit va.eku.edu, or contact OMVA at 859-622-2345 or EKUVETS@eku.edu.