Elizabeth “Betty” (Hutson) Muse

Elizabeth “Betty” (Hutson) Muse, age 73, of Pioneer, Tennessee passed away Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Cumberland Village Genesis HeathCare.
She was born July 20, 1950, in Campbell County, Tennessee.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Gene Edward Muse; father, Noah Venice Hutson; mother, Pearl (Parrott) Hutson; brothers, David Lee Hutson, and James Paul Hutson; sisters, Carolyn Campbell, and Helen Jordan.
She is survived by daughter, April Marlow; son, Travis Muse; grandchildren, Summer Marlow, and Autumn Marlow; great-grandchild, Eliza Partin; brothers, Ralph Hutson, Johnny Hutson, and Rhonnie Hutson; sisters, Janice Baird, and Nancy Payne; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family to mourn her passing.
The family received friends on Sunday, March 24, at the Harp Funeral Home Chapel.
Graveside service was Monday, March 25, in the Valley View Cemetery with Bro. Ralph Hutson and Bro. Johnny Hutson officiating. Burial followed in the Valley View Cemetery.
Harp Funeral Home of Jellico in charge of arrangements.

Melissa Vanover

Melissa Vanover, age 35, of Corbin, Ky., passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Baptist Health Corbin.
She was born October 20, 1988 in Corbin, Ky. to Harold and Nancy Jones Vanover.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Patricia Crider.
She is survived by her parents, Harold and Nancy Jones Vanover of Corbin, Ky., two sisters, Regina Schmidt (David) of Missouri, and Amber Sumner of Williamsburg, Ky.; two brothers, Brian Jones and John Vanover both of Williamsburg, Ky.; several nieces and nephews, special friend, Terry Sizemore of Gray, Ky.; and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her passing.
Funeral service was Sunday, March 24, at Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bill Carpenter officiating. Interment was in Pleasant View Cemetery Moses Addition.
Pallbearers were Brian Jones, John Vanover, Austin Jones, Michael McCullah, Jason Croley and Terry Sizemore.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Betty Steely

Betty Steely, a beloved member of her community, passed away on March 21, 2024, at the age of 82.
Born in Whitley County, Kentucky, on September 22, 1941, Betty made a lasting impact on all who crossed her path.
She leaves behind her devoted son, Jeffery Steely, as well as her special friends, Dan and Angie Ballou and Mark and Alisha Smith.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Steely, and her parents, Grover and Lewana (Prewitt) Ellis.
Betty’s life will be honored and celebrated through various ceremonies.
Funeral services were held at Croley Funeral Home on Monday, March 25.
Betty’s departure has left a void in the hearts of many, but her memory and spirit will continue to be cherished by all who knew her. In her quiet strength and kind demeanor, she touched the lives of countless individuals and will forever be remembered fondly by those who were fortunate enough to have known her.
As we gather to bid farewell to Betty and celebrate her life, let us also take a moment to reflect on the impact she had and the love she shared.
May her soul find eternal peace, and may her memory live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
Croley Funerl Home in charge of arrangements.

Earl Rose

Earl Rose, age 87, of Williamsburg, KY, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at his home.
He was born October 3, 1936 in Whitley County, KY, to the late Caleb and Joie Lambdin Rose.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by one great-grandson, Hagan; one sister, Juanita Anderson; two brothers, James Rose, and Clyde Rose; and two nephews, Jerry Holloway, and Cale Rose.
Earl was a member of the Jellico Church of God of the Mountain Assembly for many years and he worked at International Paper in Cleveland, OH. He truly loved his church family and his family.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Rose of Williamsburg, KY; one daughter, Tammy Douglas (Allen) of Williamsburg, KY; two grandchildren, Kelly Moses (Jonathan) of Williamsburg, KY, and Cooper Douglas of Williamsburg, KY; one great-grandson, Isaac Moses; three sisters, Dora Holloway of Williamsburg, KY, Joann Brown (Johnny) of Williamsburg, KY, and Betty Moses (Dean) of Williamsburg, KY; two brother, Billy Rose of Williamsburg, KY, and Carl Rose (Della) of Williamsburg, KY; brother-in-law, Cecil Moses (Penny); five nieces; five nephews; several great-nieces; several great nephews; and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
Funeral service was Friday, March 22, at the Ellison Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Scott Landes, Rev. Ray Landes, Rev. Harold Long, and Bro. Cecil Moses officiating.
Interment was in the Oaklawn Cemetery.
Graveside service was Saturday, March 23, at the Oaklawn Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Richard Moses, Tim Moses, Keith Moses, Kevin Moses, Michael Moses, and Caleb Rose.
Honorary pallbearers were Tony Sharp, Sam McCullah, Kenny Ivey, Johnny Brown, Dean Moses, Jeff Ellis, and D. J. Osborne.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bess Wilson

Bess Wilson, 87, of Corbin, Kentucky, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024, at her home.
Born January 21, 1937, in Bledsoe (Harlan County), Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late James S. Tolliver and Elizabeth Vanover Tolliver.
In addition to her father and mother, Bess was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister: Delmar Tolliver and his wife Sue, Ruth Rose and her husband James, Glen Tolliver and his wife Vera Lavonne, and Eugene Tolliver.
She leaves behind her loving husband of 68 years, Hurley Wilson; nieces and nephews: Glenna and Bob, Tony and Karen, Carey and Cindy, Steve, Zereda and Stewart, Nikki, Julie, and Renea and Kevin. She is also survived by special caregivers, Monty and Debra Bingham.
Bess was a member of Bledsoe Baptist Church for 75 years.
Bess was a loving, caring lady. She had a special fondness for children and the elderly. She enjoyed giving to others, especially making candy for her family and friends.
Two of her most enjoyable pastimes were sitting outside and watching the birds, often with neighbors, and attending to her flowers. She also enjoyed fishing with her husband as far away as Canada.
Bess was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.
Visitation was held Sunday, March 24, 2024, at Hart Funeral Home.
Services were held on Monday, March 25, in the Barbourville Cemetery Chapel with Ralph Halcomb officiating. Nephews served as pallbearers.
The family extends heartfelt appreciation to Bluegrass Care Navigators.
Hart Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Bridge construction operations began this morning (March 26) on KY 1223 (Dorthea Road) in Laurel County

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists that bridge construction operations will occur on KY 1223 (Dorthea Road) from mile points 1.145 to 1.250 in Laurel County until it reopens on Sunday (May 26) at 5 p.m.

This closure is needed for bridge construction in conjunction with the US25E congestion reduction project. Signs are posted to provide guidance for the detour.

KYTC asks motorists to be aware of the work zone, expect significant delays, reduced speed, 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.

Whitley County Public Health Inspections

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.

UC Women two wins away from NAIA championship title

The University of the Cumberlands women’s basketball team have already made history by playing their way into the final four of this year’s NAIA tournament in Sioux City, IA, and with a win Monday evening they will be one step closer to realizing their ultimate goal of hoisting a national championship trophy. (more…)

Out and About Kentucky Style: ‘Hillbilly’ Jim Morris

There might not be another man in America more focused and disciplined than Jim Morris. Let me explain.

Gary West is an author and News Journal columnist.

The name may not immediately resonate with you, but for those who followed high school basketball back in the late 60s and early 70s, Jim Morris was a 6-5 prolific record setting scorer for Bowling Green High School. Sports came easy for Jim, particularly basketball. However, his life away from the sport was a far different story.

With a single parent, raising two rambunctious boys, Jim Morris even at an early age, found a way to zero in on the positives in his life… and it was basketball.

Jim’s mom, Opal was on her own. Life was anything but easy for her. She had married in March 1953, but the union lasted only five months.

Born in Scottsville, later moving to Glasgow, Jim’s mother was always searching to better her life and that of her two boys, Jim and Dwight.

In 1968, the Morris family moved to Bowling Green. Jim was 15-years-old, and in the eighth grade.

“I saw my dad twice in my life,” Jim would later say.

Opal found comfort and support in her church and her music, and made an effort to expose her two boys to both.

By eight-years-old Jim had learned to play a guitar, and instead of buying Jim a bicycle when he was ten, Opal bought him his own guitar.

“I think she paid $50 for it,” Jim recalled. “It was a stretch for her, but it was so important for me to always have music in my life. She made payments on it and later we traded it in on a Fender. It cost $126 and I still have it.”

Later when he was 18 and out of high school he bought himself a bicycle.

Jim’s mother, in Bowling Green, began playing guitar for Otis Blanton and the Blue Star Ranger Band, a local group in high demand throughout South Central Kentucky.

Jim had seen what playing basketball could do to elevate a young boy’s status when he lived in Scottsville where Jim McDaniels became a star.

“In Bowling Green it gave me an identity,” he said. “People began to admire me, and I learned early I could out talk the bullies in my neighborhood.

“When I did anything – basketball or music – I had to be good at it. I became driven. Much of it came from being told I could never do anything because of our economic situation. I knew I was going to have to do it on my own because I had no father, older brothers or uncles to help me.”

For Jim Morris driven might be an understatement.

“Coach Don Webb at Bowling Green High understood my home situation,” Jim said. “When you have nothing in life and all you have to hang onto is basketball, that’s what I was hanging onto. One time Coach took me to Sears and bought me some clothes, shoes and overcoat for winter. I was growing so fast I didn’t have much. He even got me in the Lions Club eyeglass program for some new glasses.”

Jim had a record setting performance in the opening game of his senior year. Scoring 41 points and grabbing 19 rebounds, Bowling Green was headed to a 23-3 season record going into tournament play. As successful as his team was they could not shake away from nemesis, Franklin-Simpson, who they lost to in the finals of the District and again in the finals of the Regional.

Morris had numerous college offers, and did, in fact play at several of them before unexpectedly, in a crazy sort of way, while working out in a local gym was approached about taking a chance at professional wrestling.

Now at 6-7 and weighing close to 280 pounds, a former wrestler told him he could made some connections for him.

No one ever opened the door for him. He opened it himself. Anything he got, he earned.

Fast forward a few years and Jim Morris, through gut wrenching determination, became one of the most recognized names in the professional wrestling world… Hillbilly Jim.

Everybody knows Hillbilly Jim. It hadn’t been easy, but like basketball, he became focused. Driven would be a better word. To get to the Hillbilly Jim theme, he first went by several names, Big Jim and Harley Davidson among them. Injuries, lots of them, would have sent most to think about finding another profession. He became a WWE superstar, wrestling in Wrestlemanias and anything else he could do to enhance his image and outgoing personality in and out of the ring.

Hulk Hogan even credits Jim with exposing him to the needed theatrics in the middle of the ring so that everyone in the arena could see them.  “I learned from him,” Hogan said.

From an early age Jim could work a crowd.  As a 10-year-old he was often called on to testify at tent revivals in Scottsville.  Some even called him the little Preach-er.  “I remember the excitement I got from the crowd’s reaction.”

Being inducted into wrestling Hall of Fames throughout America has been icing on the cake for his career.  But, pause here to know that as good financially as pro wrestling was, it is not what defines him today.

“I knew wrestling wouldn’t be an end-all for me,” says Jim.  “It was only for a short time and I made the most of it.”

Jim had put his first love, music, on the shelf for a short time, concentrating on basketball and then weightlifting at a championship level.  Even while wrestling he stayed involved with his guitar enough to be a part of a wrestling record album.

The day finally came when Jim walked away from the WWE.

Music was back.  A sidebar is his association with Sirius radio and his Moon-shine Matinee two days on weekends.

Make no mistake, Hillbilly Jim was smart enough to prepare for life after wrestling.  Not falling in line with some of his wrestling friends, Jim had saved his money.  Not throwing it away on drugs, women, or cars, he could live anywhere he pleas-es, but chooses Bowling Green to make his home.

It’s here that Jim has decided to do something about his health.  To overcome several serious health issues he is using the same dogged determination to cre-ate a daily workout you may not believe.  And it’s not what you might think.

“I’m just trying to save my life,” Jim says.  “My goal with this program is live and feel well.

“In 2023, I did my program 365 days . . . did not take one day off.”

Jim totaled 2,400 hours.  Here is the breakdown of what he is now doing.

Therapy:  Two hours daily (730 hours).  Includes ice applications; pulse magnetic mat 30 minutes a day; massages with a thera-gun.  “This is intense for my shoul-der”; Circadian rhythm light bar, “The light resets my sleep pattern;” massage chair.

Cardio:  One hour daily walking, jogging or trotting, “No running.”

Workout:  Resistance training.  “Very little weights.  I don’t need weights like I once did”; stretching; flexibility and balance using a board.  (Total time therapy and cardio 855 hours)

Mind Workout:  Playing music and reading.  “Music is the only thing that affects every lobe of your brain.”  (two hours and 20-minutes a day total 815 hours).

“I work on all things that help me help myself,” says Jim, who at 71, recognizes the abuse his body has taken in an athletic career where the theme was “no pain, no gain.”

“I change it up when I need to.  You can’t do the same exercise program all your life.  If it hurts I back off.”

Jim Morris has reached a point that he has the time and financial resources to devote this much time to something so important . . . his life.  In no way is he bragging about such a focused, disciplined personal life saving ritual.

“If one person can pull one thing from this it will be worth sharing,” he concludes.  “It might save a life.”

There’s no excuse, get up, get out and get going!  Gary P. West can be reached at westgarypdeb@gmail.com.

Sheppard trio shines at Forcht Bank Employee Appreciation Dinner

On March 7, Forcht Bank employees were surprised with an extra special Employee Appreciation Dinner when Reed Sheppard and parents, Jeff and Stacey, joined in on the celebration. The Sheppard family even took to the court to participate in some friendly competition among Forcht Bank employees.

Reed’s expert guidance and swift rebounding skills soared with two employees, who ended the night with a little extra cash in their pockets after each nailed a layup and a free throw during one of the games.

Jeff and Stacey displayed some friendly rivalry when they stepped in as head coaches during the Forcht Bank Blue/White All-Star Game, in which two teams (one blue and one white) of 10 competed in fun skills competitions.

Jeff’s quick-thinking and notable career achievements, including the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1998, led him and his team to victory. Stacey, who led UK in scoring for two seasons, guided her team to a close second place finish.

Reed, Jeff and Stacey stayed after the night concluded – in typical Sheppard family tradition – to talk with employees, sign autographs and take photos. It was a night Forcht Bank employees will not forget.

Forcht Bank is a Kentucky-owned community bank with approximately $1.5 billion in assets, 3 loan production offices and 23 banking centers in 13 counties across Kentucky and Ohio. To stay up to date on all happenings, please follow Forcht Bank on social media @ForchtBank or www.forchtbank.com.