Two-year prison sentence recommended for man, who denied knowing about drugs found inside his body cavity

Prosecutors have recommended a two-year prison sentence for a Williamsburg man, who allegedly smuggled an illegal substance into the Whitley County Detention Center last month inside a body cavity and denied any knowledge about the suspected contraband inside him after he was caught, according to court documents.

Looking for an Easter egg hunt? You won’t have to go far to find one in Whitley County

If you a looking for an Easter egg hunt to take that special little someone to besides the one that your church might be having this Easter season, then you are in luck if you live in Whitley County or the surrounding areas.

Below is a list of community Easter egg hunts that the News Journal is aware of that will be taking place in the coming days in Whitley County.

Thursday event

• Eastern Kentucky University’s Corbin Regional Campus will host the EKU Corbin Community Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza on Thursday (March 28) starting at 4:30 p.m. The campus is located at One Pennington Way, Corbin.

“It’s a fantastic family-friendly event that promises an egg-citing time for everyone,” an event announcement reads.

There will be free professional photos available with the Easter Bunny.

There will be a 1,000 egg hunt that will be broken down by age division. There will also be four grand prizes. You can register for the event at https://application.eku.edu/register/EKUBunnyHop.

Saturday events

• The annual Williamsburg Community Easter Egg Hunt will take place at noon Saturday at Briar Creek Park. A total of 3,000 eggs will be hidden.

It is open to ages 0-12, and it will be broken down by age groups.

There will be free hot dogs.

The Easter Bunny is also slated to make an appearance.

The event is sponsored by the City of Williamsburg and the Williamsburg Tourism Commission.

• On Saturday, the community is invited to Hunt, Hop & Roll at the Corbin Civic Center from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

“Honoring military veterans, first responders and their families. Please join us for a family fun day, celebrating those who deserve the most!” a flier for the event reads.

There will be games, food, prizes, the Easter Bunny, and an Easter egg hunt.

• Laurel Lake Baptist Camp will host at Easter egg hunt at 3:15 p.m. Saturday for children ages 0-14 years. Special needs of any age are also welcome.

Sunday event

• Cumberland Falls State Resort Park will hold Easter festivities Sunday.

The Easter Bunny will be on hand to do meet and greets at DuPont Lodge from 10 – 11:30 a.m., and again from 3 – 4:30 p.m. There will also be free gift bags, candy and photo opportunities inside DuPont Lodge.

The Easter egg hunt will take place from 1 – 2 p.m. at the Clifty Campground. It is for ages 4-12.

Williamsburg Independent students help fund local teenager’s wish

14-year-old Gunnar Queen recently won his battle with leukemia.

A group of students from Williamsburg Independent School have been working to help make a local student’s wish come true through a variety of fundraising efforts as part of a partnership with the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy.

The leader academy is a national high school leadership program focused on impact through action, according to a release. Each month, students gather to learn leadership principles through lessons called Leader Labs. The Leader Labs give students practical tools needed to make a positive influence, such as creating student-led community projects.

According to the academy’s website, over 1,100 schools across 40 states and more than 200,000 students are involved in the academy.

At Williamsburg Independent, the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy is comprised primarily of students from the school’s gifted and talented program. As part of their end-of-year project, students in the academy decided to help fund a wish trip for someone through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an amazing foundation that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. The granted wish is far more than just a trip or gift, as it represents a beacon of hope for the children and families who have or are facing unimaginable circumstances.

In Kentucky alone, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has over 400 children that have been promised a wish. Of that number, 131 of those children are from eastern Kentucky.

Williamsburg’s academy students were able to play a role in helping bring one of those wishes to fruition. According to Kristy Stewart, gifted and talented coordinator at Williamsburg Independent, students have been doing a number of fundraisers over the past few weeks and have more planned. As of last week, approximately $3,000 had been raised of their $5,000 goal.

The money will be used to pay back the Make-A-Wish Foundation for a South Laurel student’s wish. That student, 14-year-old Gunnar Queen, recently won his battle with leukemia.

He is an avid fan of a variety of sports and wanted to be able to attend a sporting event with his family. The Make-A-Wish Foundation recently approved Queen’s wish and his family is anticipated to attend their event sometime in the coming weeks.

To celebrate Queen’s wish being granted, Williamsburg’s Chick-fil-A Leader Academy students held a send-off party last Thursday at Cinema Social in Corbin. The students got to meet Queen for the first time, as well as several of his friends and family members. During the party, everyone was invited to bowl, eat pizza and fellowship with one another.

Stewart said she was proud of the work that her students have put into this project.

Over the past several weeks, classes throughout the school building have been holding “penny wars” to see who can collect the most pennies. That money has been also been used to repay the foundation for funding Queen’s wish.

Fundraising efforts will continue throughout the remainder of the school year, with a staff versus student basketball charity game being planned currently.

Stewart also wanted to make sure to thank WD Bryant in Williamsburg for donation buckets for the penny war fundraiser, as well as Cinema Social for hosting the sendoff party.

For more information on the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, visit www.chickfilaleaderacademy.com. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org.

Pilot, Air Evac sued for 2022 incident in which pilot was under the influence during emergency flight

A former air ambulance pilot, who has already pleaded guilty in federal court to being under the influence during an emergency flight last March while transporting a patient from Baptist Health Corbin, is now facing civil action from the patient that was on board.

Legal Notices for 3-27-2024

ACCEPTING BIDS

The Williamsburg Police Department will be auctioning off a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, 2500 Diesel pick-up truck. Mileage: 179,254. Sealed bids can be placed at the Williamsburg Police Department starting on March 25, 2024. Bidding ends on April 12, 2024.

The vehicle will be located at City Hall, 423 Main Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769 and will be available for viewing from the hours of 9:00 A.M. through 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday until the conclusion of bidding on April 12, 2024.

Note: All bids must have your name, address, and phone number on the bid, and be placed in a sealed envelope.

The buyer will be responsible for transferring the title and must have insurance on the vehicle before it is removed from the city hall parking lot.

The seller retains the right to reject any bid.

If you have any questions, please contact Bobby Freeman at 606-304-7607 or 606-549-6087.

SEEKING CONTRACTORS

The Housing Authority of Corbin is seeking contractor contacts who are licensed if applicable, have demonstrated competence, are insured, and experienced to provide services for the following:  Tree removal, plumbing, pressure washing, lawn care, roofing, playgrounds, concrete, and paving.  We continue to update contractor information.  Packets may be picked up at the office.  Larger bids will be sealed and just be returned by the due date in the instructions.  For further information contact the Executive Director at 1336 Madison Street, Corbin, KY 606-528-5104 for details on any upcoming work by April 14th, 2024.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Sealed bids for mowing of City Utilities Commission (CUC) properties will be received by the City Utilities Commission of Corbin at its office located at 1515 Cumberland Falls Highway, Corbin, KY 40701 until 2:00 pm local time on April 4, 2024, and then publicly opened and read aloud.

Copies of the bid documents may be obtained by contacting the City Utilities Commission office located at 1515 Cumberland Falls Highway, Corbin, KY 40701, (606)528-4026.

General liability and workers compensation insurance are required to be maintained by the contractor.

The award will be made to the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder.

No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of sixty (60) days after closing time scheduled for the receipt of bids.

The City Utilities Commission reserves the right to waive informalities and to reject any and all bids.

Ronald W. Herd, P.E., General Manager

NOTICE OF BOND RELEASE

In accordance with KRS 350.093, notice is hereby given that EN Enterprises, LLC., 121 Vermillion Ave., Whitesburg, KY 41858 has applied for a Phase I bond release on Increment 1 of Permit #918-0508, which was last issued on 5/3/2023. The application covers an area of approximately 21.16 acres located 1.0 mile south of the community of Duckrun in Whitley County.

The permit area is approximately 0.5 mile east of the intersection of KY Route 1673 and Kidd Road and just north of the North Fork of Indian Creek.

The bond now in effect on Increment #1 is a letter of credit of $75,000.  Approximately 60% of the original bond amount included in the application for release.

Reclamation work performed includes backfilling, grading, fertilizing, seeding, and mulching completed in October 2023.

This is the final advertisement of the application. Written comments, objections, or requests for a public or informal conference must be filed with the Director, Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement, 300 Sower Blvd., Frankfort, KY 40601, by April 26, 2024.

A public hearing on the application has been scheduled for 9:00 A.M. on April 30, 2024 at the Department for Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s Middlesboro Regional Office, 1804 East Cumberland Avenue, Middlesboro, KY 40965‐1229. The hearing will be cancelled if no request for hearing or informal Conference is received by:  April 26, 2024.

PUBLIC NOTICE:

Pursuant to 405 KAR 8:010, Section 16(5), the following is a summary of permitting decisions made by the Department for Natural Resources, Division of Mine Permits with respect to applications to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations in Whitley County. ALDEN RESOURCES LLC, 9180504 AM; H, L & S, INC., 9180512 SU.

Tree trimming/removal operations begin Wed. (March 27) on KY 2989 in Whitley County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists that tree trimming/removal operations will occur on KY 2989 (mile points 1.142 -1.416) in Whitley County beginning Wednesday (March 27).

This portion of the roadway will be closed to thru traffic Wednesday (March 27) and Thursday (March 28), from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

KYTC asks motorists to be aware of the work zone, expect significant delays, and to utilize safe driving habits when traveling through the area.

The date, time, and duration of work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur. Motorists can access travel and traffic conditions at http://goky.ky.gov or contribute their reports at www.waze.com or via the Waze mobile application. You can also get traffic information for District 11 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict11 or by following the transportation cabinet on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict11.

Frankie A. Ensley

Frankie A. Ensley, 95, of Newcomb, TN went to be with the Lord on March 22, 2024, at her residence.
Frankie was born on November 7, 1928, in Tuckasegee, NC, to Frank and Mattie Smith.
She was a homemaker and bookkeeper for Big H Coal Company in Newcomb, TN.
Frankie was an avid baker and loved cooking for many people her entire life. She was a dedicated member of Crouches Creek Baptist Church for over 50 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Howard O. Ensley Sr.
She is survived by her children, Doris Alene Douglas, Atlanta, GA, Dorothy Jean Burrus, Newcomb, TN, Howard O Ensley Jr., Newcomb, TN, four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 27th, from 12:00 noon until 12:30 PM with Rev. Roger Stanley officiating.
Visitation will be at 10:00 AM until the funeral hour at 12:00 noon at the Llewellyn Funeral Home Chapel in Jellico, TN.
Interment will be in Anderson Memorial Gardens, Clinton, TN.
The Llewellyn Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Rachel Ann Troyer

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Rachel Ann Troyer, a beloved wife, daughter, and member of the community.
Rachel was born on October 26, 1968, in Altamont, Tennessee, and peacefully departed from this world on March 22, 2024, at UT Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her brother, Stephen Horst, and twin daughter at birth.
She was a faithful member of Whitley County Christian Fellowship and her greatest desire was to live for the Lord and help other to find the Lord.
Rachel was a devoted housewife, dedicating herself to creating a warm and loving home for her family.
Her gentle spirit and nurturing presence will be deeply missed by her husband, Stephen Troyer; children, Sarah Troyer, Sylvia Troyer, Stephen Andrew Troyer (Lucinda); Emma Brubaker (Justin), and Jason Troyer; grandchildren, Adrian Troyer and Nevin Troyer; parents, Paul and Edith (Good) Horst; brothers, Milton Horst (Lois), Daniel Horst (Grace), James Horst (Sarai), Phillip Horst (Cheryl), Joseph Horst (Faith), Jonathan Horst (Eunice), and Luck Horst (Bernetta); sisters, Lois Brubaker (Joel), Edith Nolt (Mark), and Ester Kulp (Herb); several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn her passing.
A woman of grace and kindness, Rachel leaves behind cherished memories and a legacy of love that will forever be remembered by those who knew her. Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
The funeral service to honor Rachel’s life will be held at Whitley County Christian Fellowship on Thursday, March 28, at 10:00 am with Bishop Micah Zimmerman, James Horst, and Paul Horst officiating.
Prior to the service, there will be a public viewing on Wednesday, March 27 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, also at Whitley County Christian Fellowship.
She will be laid to rest in the Whitley County Christian Fellowship Cemetery.
In this time of sadness, let us come together to celebrate the life of Rachel Ann Troyer and find solace in the memories she has left us with. May she rest in peace and her spirit live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Brenda Kathy Hall Rogers

Brenda Kathy Hall Rogers, 69, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024.
She was born November 7, 1954.
Kathy worked in the medical field for over 30 years and enjoyed canning, camping, fishing, and quilting.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Henry Hall and Sarah Hart Hall, and her father-in-law, Rev. Hubert Rogers.
Kathy is survived by her loving husband, Gary Rogers; her daughters, Misty Dowd and husband Bill and Amanda Sykora; her grandchildren: Logan Sykora, Haylee Dowd, and Holly Dowd; her brothers and sisters: David Hall, James Hall and wife Alice, Della Hall, Jack Hall, Russell Hall and friend Debbie Morgan, Mary Perry and husband Austin, Carol Bain and husband Tilman, and Steve Hall; her many nieces and nephews; her mother-in-law, Joann Rogers; her sister-in-law, Linda Hamblin and husband Henry; and her beloved dog, Gus.
Kathy was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 27, in the Hart Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Josh Pollitt and Jeff Wilder officiating.
Burial will follow in Corinth Cemetery in Corbin, Kentucky, with family members and friends serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Wednesday at Hart Funeral Home, located at 1011 Master Street Corbin, KY.
Hart Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Luther Henry Lamb

Luther Henry Lamb, age 65, of Luttrell, Tennessee and formerly of Jellico, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the U.T. Medical Center.
He was born April 18, 1958, in Jellico, Tennessee.
Luther is preceded in death by his father, Lloyd Isaac Lamb; mother, Hazel (Perry) Lamb; brothers, Carl David Lamb, and Willis Lamb; sister, Mae Perry, Nancy Lamb, Carolyn Lamb, and Sabbie Jean Lamb.
He is survived by brothers, Cecil Lamb, James Perry, and Ray Perry; sisters, Zella Webb, and Ala Davis; a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn his passing.
Graveside service was Friday, March 22, in the Douglas Cemetery, Wooldridge Community with Rev. Earl Powers officiating.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.