Tickets still available for Dorenbos lecture Tuesday (March 26)

Free tickets are still available to see Jon Dorenbos, when he performs his mind-bending magic tricks coupled with sharing his inspiring life story next week at the University of the Cumberlands.

Dorenbos will be the keynote speaker for this year’s University of the Cumberlands’ Excellence in Leadership Series, which is sponsored by The Forcht Group of Kentucky.

The event will be held on Cumberlands’ campus on Tuesday, March 26, at 7 p.m. in the O. Wayne Rollins Center. All are welcome to attend.

Tickets are free but offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Community members may reserve tickets at https://webservices.ucumberlands.edu/tickets/.

“We look forward to welcoming Jon Dorenbos onto campus and enjoying not only his on-stage performance, but also the impactful message he brings,” said Dr. Larry L. Cockrum, president of University of the Cumberlands. “His humor, enthusiasm, and hard-earned optimistic approach to life are sure to leave the audience feeling encouraged, reflective, and motivated to pursue an abundant life.”

As a former long snapper in the National Football League, plus a finalist on America’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent: The Champions, Dorenbos doesn’t shy away from high-pressure situations; he thrives in them. His life growing up – especially during his teenage years – was no picnic, but the lessons he learned through the process shaped his mentality, giving him not only the perseverance to achieve success in his own life but also the ability to uniquely relate to and motivate people across the U.S. and around the world, according to a UC release.

Dorenbos’ goal is to inspire, entertain, and impact anyone and everyone he interacts with. As he integrates his powerful personal story with transformative life lessons, throwing in jokes and impressive card tricks for good measure, his performance offers a memorable experience that’ll last a lifetime.

Keynote speakers are invited to Cumberlands’ campus annually, offering impactful messages to Cumberlands students and the general community as a way to instill integral leadership values.

UC’s annual lecture series is made possible by an endowment from local business owners Dr. Terry and Mrs. Marion Forcht, who founded The Forcht Group of Kentucky Center for Excellence in Leadership in 2006.

The purpose of the Center is to provide programs and activities that enhance the development of leadership, character and good citizenship. Other past speakers in the series have included Ben Stein, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, Charles Krauthammer, Dr. Ben Carson, Fred Thompson, Shaquille O’Neal, Terry Bradshaw, Laila Ali and Drew Brees.

Removal of large trailer hitches when not in use should be law

There are several types of trailer hitches for vehicles. Some are attached to the bumper. Others have a sleeve for the hitch to be attached. And then there are those that drop down and extend out.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

The one that extended out far beyond the vehicle is the kind that I tripped over in the dark after the championship game of the 13th Region basketball tournament at the Arena in Corbin. I was walking between cars in front of my wife and sister-in-law when the accident occurred.

I fell face down and slid, scraping my hands and knees. In addition to my wife and sister-in-law, another couple came to my rescue and helped get me into my vehicle and I was driven to Baptist Health hospital, located just across the highway from the Arena. I was bleeding profusely because I am on blood thinners.

It all happened so fast that those attending to me did not get the license number of the vehicle, but they did notice the type of trailer hitch that was attached. It is one that should be outlawed except when in use. That type of trailer hitch is a booby trap awaiting an accident.

I wish that I did have the license number of the vehicle, but I understand in the panic of the situation that they had to get me hurriedly to the emergency room at Baptist Health.

I do want to thank the couple who helped me to my vehicle. Also, I am appreciative of the excellent care I received from the emergency room staff at Baptist Health.

I didn’t realize just how busy the emergency room staff would be. There were so many people needing services I had to wait about an hour before I could be seen. But they provided me with wet washcloth to wipe away the blood.

The first thing the staff did after I got to a room was take me for a scan which revealed that I had a broken nose and a fractured jaw. I also had many scrapes and bruises on my face which still are causing very much discomfort. I look so bad that the face recognition app on my iPhone did not recognize me.

I did learn a lesson from this. That is not to walk between cars that are parked, but rather walk on the outside in the lanes of traffic. It is much safer. But again, that type of trailer hitch should not be attached to a vehicle except when in use. I’ve talked to others who have had similar experiences, though not so drastic.

It only takes a couple of minutes to take the trailer hitch off the vehicle.

The National Safety Council reports that there are over 50,000 accidents like this from trailer hitches each year.

It is ironic that when we parked our vehicle in the parking garage at the UK hospital for a specialist to examine my facial fractures, the vehicle next to us had a trailer hitch sticking out very similar to the one that caused me to have the accident.

I’m sure the person driving the vehicle that caused my injuries had no thought of it causing an accident. Another thing that person didn’t think about is that they are liable for my injuries. I have read about lawsuits in situations like this and the vehicle owner was liable in each of those.

They’re kind of lucky that I didn’t get the license number. Not because of the money that it cost me in medical bills, but because of the discomfort I have suffered.

I am angry at myself and at the owner of that vehicle. Never did I think there would be a booby trap waiting for me in the lane between vehicles that were parked at the Arena, then again an obstacle like that should never have been in that lane.

But at the time I was tired and wanted to get away from the Arena because I was up at 5 a.m. that day, already stressed out from being at a hospital in Lexington where our daughter had to have a kidney removed. Once she was in her room and everything turned out fine, we felt it would be okay for us to attend the championship game.

I doubt that there is a law that requires vehicle owners to remove a trailer hitch when not in use, but there should be. It only takes a couple of minutes and thousands of accidents could be prevented if the trailer hitch was removed.

This has been a nightmare in my life that could have happened to anybody. Fortunately, I was in the lead of my wife and sister-in-law, or else their pretty faces could’ve been injured. I’ve missed work and church and some of the nice weather that we’ve had. In another 2-to-3 weeks perhaps I can enjoy those things. But like all accidents, when I look back it was so unnecessary.

This weekend I’ve had the best medicine one could get. Two of our youngest grandchildren spent the weekend with us. That helped me take my mind off the injuries and the UK basketball game.

Lastly, I want to thank all of those who have sent condolences and well wishes. That helps too!

Splash problems not as bad as first thought; Corbin Restaurant Week coming

Problems with Corbin’s splash pad aren’t quite as bad as originally feared.

Corbin Parks and Recreation Director Jacob Roan told the Corbin City Commission during its monthly meeting Monday that American Leak Detection would be in Corbin Friday to check out problems with Geeta’s Splash Pad, which is located off Main Street near Corbin City Hall, and give final estimates on repair costs.

Last summer a couple of elements of the attraction were shut down after they quit working.

Roan told the city commission last month that he still hoped to have the splash pad open by Memorial Day, but there was a good chance that wouldn’t happen.

“It is not going to be as bad as we thought this time last month,” he said Monday.

The splashpad is named in honor of Geeta Patel, whose family donated the land for the splashpad.

Also, during Monday’s meeting, Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Monhollen noted that Restaurant Week will be happening March 25-30 with 14 restaurants inside the city limits participating.

“This makes me super happy. Just about every major owned and operated restaurants is involved,” she said.

The 14 restaurants include: The Depot, M&M Rooftop Garden, Bubby’s BBQ, Seasons, Cinema Social, Austin City Saloon, Mi Casa #3, Wrigley Appalachian Eatery, Old Town Grill, Kendell’s Kitchen, Santa Fe, Si Senor, Sweeties Ice Cream, and Folktale Coffee & Bakehouse.

Monhollen added that the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission recently approved the purchase of round picnic tables with umbrellas for the Hometown Bank Farmer’s Market Pavilion, which was dedicated last December.

Second-Annual Superhero Day event being held this Saturday in Williamsburg

A big part of being a superhero is advocating for the collective health of the citizens who inhabit your local community. Hence the idea behind the Whitley County Health Department’s Superhero Day, which will be making its return to Williamsburg this Saturday, March 23. (more…)

Quarles forms FAFSA rapid response task force to address delays

KCTCS President Ryan Quarles

The 16 colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, as well as colleges and universities across the country, are dealing with an unprecedented delay in students’ ability to apply for federal financial aid. This delay stems from the largest overhaul in decades to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the impact of these delays on lower-income students is causing concern. (more…)

Univ. of the Cumberlands basketball teams advance to Sweet 16 of national championship tournaments

The 2024 postseason was already a history-making one for the University of the Cumberlands men’s and women’s basketball programs, as for the first time ever, both programs served as tournament hosts for the first and second round games in the Annual National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship Tournaments. (more…)

Corbin firefighters, police recognized at city commission meeting

Members of the Corbin Fire Department were recognized for helping an elderly man recently, and promotions for four Corbin police officers were announced during the Corbin City Commission’s monthly meeting Monday.

Chief Rusty Hedrick announced the promotion of four officers during Monday’s Corbin City Commission meeting. Chris Brown and Caleb Hester were promoted to patrolman first class. Estes Rhodes and William Stewart were promoted to corporal.

Mayor Suzie Razmus read a letter from the family of Charles Pennington during the meeting.

“Thank you doesn’t seem sufficient enough to convey our appreciation for all that you have done for our family. We want to thank Eric Philpot, Daryl Thompson and James Spicer for coming to our dad’s house while his blood sugar dropped to 35,” the letter read noting that Pennington had also fallen by the front door and hit his head on the staircase.

“If it had not been for their quick actions, he may have not survived this diabetic emergency. Their selflessness and generosity have made a profound impact with our family and we are forever grateful to have such well-trained men at the Corbin Fire Department during his time of need. Thank you,” read the letter, which was signed by Louann Lennon, Tim Pennington and David Pennington.

Also, during the meeting, Corbin Police Chief Rusty Hedrick announced that Chris Brown and Caleb Hester had both been promoted to the positions of patrolman first class, and that Estes Rhodes and William Stewart had both been promoted to the position of corporal.

“It is with great pleasure that I come before you tonight to recognize these four officers. These officers have shown the attitude, dedication, professionalism and selflessness that is needed to be a leader in this department and these are officers this city should be proud of,” Hedrick said. “These promotions were not just my recommendations but recommendations of their supervisors.”

Razmus echoed similar sentiments about these officers and the police department as a whole.

“On behalf of the city, I just want to say how proud we are of all of you for all of your hard work for the city keeping us safe, and making us feel like we can count on you all any time, and we know we can. I am just super proud of the police department every one of you. Congratulations on the promotions,” Razmus added.

Corbin City Commission recognizes CHS 4 X 400 state champs

Members of the Corbin High School 4 X 400 state champion relay team were recognized by the Corbin City Commission during its monthly meeting Monday.

During the meeting, Mayor Suzie Razmus recognized team members Connor Messer, Coleman Anderson, Ben Teague and Jayce Stewart, and named each of them Corbin Colonels.

“These young gentlemen did an amazing job at state,” Razmus noted.

Also, during Monday’s meeting, the commission approved appointments to several boards and commissions.

The commission approved the appointment of Mark Daniels to replace Bill Jones on the Corbin Public Library Board of Directors. It will be for a four-year term.

Ricky Lynch was reappointed to the Corbin Code Enforcement Board to a three-year term.

Terry Skinner was reappointed to the Corbin Planning Commission. His new term will expire on Sept. 30, 2027.

The commission reappointed Paige Pennington and John Ed Babb IV to the Corbin Tree Board, and reappointed Brian Baylor and Ron Herd to the Corbin Industrial Development Commission for three year terms.

The commission also reappointed Rob Miller to the Corbin Civil Service Commission.

In March 2023, the Corbin City Commission created an application that people can fill out if they want to serve on various city appointed boards and commissions.

The application is on the city’s Facebook page and on its website at https://corbin-ky.gov/.

Razmus noted that no one else applied for any of the positions on the planning commission, tree board, industrial development board or civil service commission, and she encouraged anyone interested in serving on one of the nine boards or commissions, which the city makes appointments to, to get on the website and apply, and/or give her office a call in the event the online process doesn’t work properly.

In other business, the commission:

• Met in executive session for just under half an hour to discuss potential selection of a bidder for the award of a local contract, but took no formal action.

After the meeting, Razmus explained that the potential contract being discussed was a proposal by Danny Wimer Productions for entertainment, acquisition, event promotion and management service for the Corbin Arena.

Razmus said that more information is needed before the commission makes a decision, such as the details regarding what the partnership would entail.

• Approved the hiring of Kayin Pickett, Jerry Inman and Troy Edwards as full-time employees in the public works department. Public Works Director Jeff Nantz noted that all three had been seasonal workers, who are being promoted.

Baptist Health Corbin invites you to its open house Friday (March 22)

Baptist Health Corbin is celebrating the opening of its new East Corbin location, Baptist Health Diagnostic and Specialty Care, with an open house on Friday (March 22) from 2 – 4 p.m.

The facility is located at 14662 N. US25E in the former Kmart building.

“Please join us for a ribbon cutting, tour of the facility, refreshments, and giveaways. We look forward to serving you in our new location,” Baptist Health Corbin wrote in a release.

Baptist Health Corbin is a 273-bed, acute care facility providing a wide variety of healthcare services to residents of Whitley, Knox, Laurel, Bell, Clay, McCreary counties in Kentucky and Harlan and Campbell counties in Tennessee.

Whitley Co. Health Dept. no longer requiring employee COVID-19 vaccinations

At its latest quarterly meeting, the Whitley County Board of Health adopted some new policies dealing with a broad range of issues, including the amendment of COVID-19 vaccination requirements for its employees.