Burton will address Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Tuesday (March 12)

Shawna Burton, who is director of member benefits and partnerships for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, will be the featured guest speaker during the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce monthly membership luncheon Tuesday (March 12), which will be held at The Corbin Center, which is located at 222 Corbin Center Drive.

The luncheon will begin at 11:45 a.m.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $15 per person.

You can register for the event by going to http://www.southernkychamber.com/events/details/march-2024-membership-luncheon-420.

You can also register by calling (606) 528-6390, or by e-mailing stephanie@wearesouthernkentucky.com.

La Donnas Catering will provide the meal for the luncheon.

The luncheon is being sponsored by KCEOC Community Action Partnership.

Monhollen named to The Kentucky Wildlands board of directors

Corbin Tourism Executive Director Maggy Monhollen has been named to the board of directors for The Kentucky Wildlands where she will serve as vice-chair.

“It is an honor to serve on The Kentucky Wildlands Board of Directors, and it is so humbling to have been chosen by my peers to serve as vice chair of the executive committee of the board. I am a firm believer in the power of the Kentucky Wildlands tourism branding initiative, and I am excited about working in this capacity to continue to propel the project, and the board of directors, to new heights,” Monhollen said.

The Kentucky Wildlands is a regional tourism initiative serving 41 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky.

Monhollen, who also serves as Downtown Corbin Director, has worked with the city to build tourism since 2014. She is also involved in the day-to-day management of the Downtown Corbin program and bringing economic development and stimulation to the heartbeat of the city.

Monhollen holds a bachelor’s degree in recreation and park management from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s degree in recreation and park administration from Eastern Kentucky University. She is a 2019 graduate of the BRIGHT Leadership program through Leadership Kentucky and a 2017 graduate of the Leadership Tri-County program.

Monhollen is one of four new people joining the board. Other new board members include Sandy Gay, Anita Sutton, and Seth Wheat. Gay will serve as chairperson.

Each will serve a three-year term.

“We are fortunate to have such talented individuals working together to fulfill The Kentucky Wildlands’ mission,” said director Tammie Nazario. “As we look to the future and the growing opportunities, it’s important to have such diverse talent. I look forward to working with each of them in 2024.”

For more information about The Kentucky Wildlands, visit www.explorekywildlands.com.

Jury trial set for W’Burg man accused of sexual-related offenses involving children

A jury trial has been set for a Williamsburg man accused of multiple sexual-related charges involving four different children over the span of nearly 30 years.

Whitley County Sheriff gets clean financial bill of health

Whitley County Sheriff Bill Elliotte received a clean audit regarding his 2022 tax account settlement, according to Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball’s office.

“The sheriff’s financial statement fairly presents the taxes charged, credited and paid, for the period, January 1, 2023, through August 31, 2023, in conformity with the regulatory basis of account,” Ball’s office wrote in a recent release. “The auditor noted no instances of noncompliance. The auditor also noted no matters involving internal control over financial reporting and its operation that were considered to be material weaknesses.”

State law requires the auditor to annually audit the accounts of each county sheriff. In compliance with this law, the auditor issues two sheriff’s reports each year: one reporting on the audit of the sheriff’s tax account, and the other reporting on the audit of the fee account used to operate the office.

As part of the audit process, the auditor must comment on noncompliance with laws, regulations, contracts and grants. The auditor must also comment on material weaknesses involving the internal control over financial operations and reporting.

The sheriff’s responsibilities include collecting property taxes, providing law enforcement and performing services for the county fiscal court and courts of justice. The sheriff’s office is funded through statutory commissions and fees collected in conjunction with these duties.

Between January 1, 2023, and August 31, 2023, the sheriff’s office collected $214,488 in county taxes, $455,763 in taxes for special taxing districts, $734,593 in school taxes, and $179,750 in state taxes, according to the audit.

Taking a look at several interesting news items

On the front page of our newspaper, you see stories about various BIG things happening in the community each week. On our inside pages you will see stories about some of the bigger things that also happened during the week.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

Many times there is also a lot of smaller stuff we hear about that we might not have time to turn into a full blown news story. Often times there is also the issue of not having room to fit all of the stories that we have in the newspaper.

For such a small area, we have a surprising amount of things happening.

I thought I would use my column this week to highlight some of the smaller stuff happening in and around the community.

• Good luck to Williamsburg Independent School, which is starting up a new school newspaper, “The Buzz,” which will be out on March 28. Newspaper staff include: Caleb Nichols doing writing and photography, Laylee Wyatt doing layout and design, Cabela Johnson and Jacob Durham doing writing, Zaden Housekeeper doing photography, and Elijah Muse, who will serve as the student editor. Sponsors are Becky Hamilton and Kacey Hensley. The News Journal’s own Timothy Wyatt has also been helping to get this project started.

I am sure that the staff will do a great job, and I hope they enjoy it. Putting together a school newspaper is a lot more work than most people realize, but it can also be pretty fun if you do it right.

One thing for certain is that I am not getting any younger and, maybe a few years from now, one of these young people will be taking my place at the News Journal.

• Congratulations to Corbin’s own Sandi Curd, who recently attended a meeting at The White House as a representative of the Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation. She is a smart lady, who I have no doubt represented this region well.

• Generally, I am not a big bluegrass music fan, but I make an exception for Tidalwave Road Bluegrass Band, whose members are from Whitley County. These guys have been around for what seems like forever, and I always enjoy hearing them play at local festivals. On March 9, they will be having a release party at The Depot Restaurant for their new EP, “The Bonfire Sessions,” from Pinecastle Records. Good luck guys.

• I saw an interesting post on the Downtown Corbin Facebook page recently showing a picture of Main Street’s own White Rabbit Records featured in a magazine from the Netherlands of all places. I would write more about it, but I don’t speak or read a word of Dutch, which is the official language of the country.

Still, there is a nice picture of the store in the magazine, and it’s pretty cool, in my opinion, to see a local business featured in another country.

• While we have a story on this one this week, I would like to offer my congratulations to Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Monhollen, who was recently named to The Kentucky Wildlands board of directors and has been named vice-chair of the board. She is one of the hardest working women in Corbin, and should do a great job on this board. For those that don’t know, The Kentucky Wildlands is a regional tourism initiative serving 41 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky.

Redhounds eliminate Bell Co. in first round of boys’ region tournament

After first round action in the girls’ 2024 13^th Region tournament on Monday and Tuesday, it was the boys’ turn to take center stage in the Corbin Arena Wednesday night. (more…)

Man shot in head during Gray shooting facing long road to recovery

A man, who was shot in the head during an incident late last year in Gray, is facing a long road to recovery, his wife said Tuesday morning.

Keavy man facing felony charges after Corbin police chase

Corbin police have charged a Keavy man with felony fleeing or evading police and 10 other offenses in connection with a vehicle pursuit that started late Saturday morning and involved the suspect allegedly waving a gun during the chase, according to an arrest citation and a Corbin Police Department release.

Daniel Snead

At one point during the pursuit, the suspect was allegedly pointing the gun at his head and threatening to shoot himself if police didn’t back off before he surrendered to authorities, according to an arrest citation.

Legal Notices for 3-6-2024

NOTICE:

Notice is hereby given by order of the Whitley District Court, that the following appointments have been made:

Amy Goodin, 659 Hart Mine Road, Corbin, KY 40701 was appointed as executrix on 02/05/2024 for the estate of Travis Goodin (deceased), 1065 W. Gordon Hill Apt 7, Corbin, KY 40701.

Kelly Hart, 118 18th Street, Corbin, KY 40701 was appointed as executrix on 02/05/2024 for the estate of Charles Ohler (deceased), 5101 Cumberland Falls Hwy, Corbin, KY 40701.

Darrell Osborne, 1194 Riva Ridge Trail, Corbin, KY 40701 was appointed as administrator for the estate of Roscoe Osborne (deceased), 359 Osborne Road, Corbin, KY 40701.

Garvin Wade Stewart, 263 Rockcastle Street, Corbin, KY 40701 was appointed as administrator for the estate of James Robert Stewart (deceased), 165 Rockcastle Street, Corbin, KY 40701.

Lisa Smith, 135 Jasper Mackey Road, Rockholds, KY 40759 was appointed as administratrix for the estate of Jasper Smith (deceased), 135 Jasper Mackey Road, Rockholds, KY 40759.

Edward O. Parker, Jr, 149 Howington Lane, Corbin, KY 40701 was appointed as executor for the estate of Laura B. Parker (deceased), 149 Howington Lane, Corbin, KY 40701.

Given under my hand this 29th day of February, 2024.

Gary W. Barton, Clerk

District & Circuit Courts

Whitley County/Williamsburg, KY 40769

NOTICE:

Angela and William Petrey have filed the final settlement for the estate of Bobby C. Petrey (deceased). The settlement hearing will be set for 04/01/2024 at 9:00 am.

Exceptions, if any, must be filed prior to April 1st, 2024.

The hearing will be held at Whitley District Court, 100 Main Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

Given under my hand this 29th day of February, 2024.

Gary W. Barton

Whitley Circuit/District Courts

Williamsburg, KY 40769

NOTICE:

Notice is hereby given by order of the Whitley District Court, that the following appointments have been made:

Rovena Moses, 582 North Wagner Avenue, Sidney, OH 45365 was appointed administrator on 1/2/2024 for the estate of Doris Moses (deceased), Williamsburg Nursing Home, 287 N. 11th Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769.  The attorney for the administrator is Hon. Amanda Hill, P.O. Box 1605, Corbin, KY 40702.

Charmin Lynn Hubbard, 2565 Sandy Flats Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769 was appointed administratrix on 1/9/2024 for the estate of Craig Allon Anderson (deceased), 132 Shadowridge Drive, Apt. 1, Williamsburg, KY 40769. The attorney for the administratrix is James Wren, II., P.O. Box 6, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

Carson Mitchell, 57 Joey Durham Lane, Corbin, KY 40701 was appointed executor on 1/23/2024 for the estate of Billy L. Mitchell (deceased), 1265 Wolf Creek Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769.  The attorney for the executor is Hon. Amanda Hill, P.O. Box 1605, Corbin, KY 40702.

Ruby Coleman, 402 Leonard Petrey Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769 was appointed executrix on 2/6/2024 for the estate of Eugene Coleman (deceased), 402 Leonard Petrey Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

Ralph Carte, 757 Old Corbin Pike, Williamsburg, KY 40769 was appointed executor on 2/6/2024 for the estate of Larry Allen Carte (deceased), 738 Old Corbin Pike, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

Rachel Agee, 106 Willow Oak Way, Georgetown, KY 40324 was appointed executrix on 2/6/2024 for the estate of Nancy Ellen Bunch (deceased), 100 Rabran Drive, Corbin, KY 40701.  The attorney for the executrix is Seth Reeves, P.O. Box 1341, Corbin, KY 40702.

Tonya Montiel, 707 Corinth Cemetery Road, Corbin, KY 40701 was appointed executrix on 2/6/2024 for the estate of Audrey Ballew (deceased), 583 Bennett Branch Road, Siler, KY 40763.  The attorney for the executrix is Chase McWhorter, 818 S. Main Street, London, KY 40743.

Jeffrey Lynn Steely, 1331 Patton Road, East Bernstadt, KY 40729 was appointed executor on 2/6/2024 for the estate of Iva Lynda Steely (deceased), 334 North 11th Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

Glenna Berru, 707 South Axusa Avenue, Unit A, Azusa, CA 91702 was appointed administratrix on 2/12/2024 for the estate of Glenna Faye Dungey (deceased), 311 Vandorn Street, Corbin, KY 40701.  The attorney and local agent for the administratrix is Hon. Sandra J. Reeves, P.O. Box 1341, Corbin, KY 40702.

Lona Shepherd was appointed administratrix on 2/13/2024 for the estate of James Rife (deceased), the Heritage Nursing Home, Corbin, KY 40701.

Robert E. McCarthy, 8379 Cumberland Falls Highway, Corbin, KY 40701 was appointed administrator on 2/13/2024 for the estate of Jacqueline Louise Spurlock Reams (deceased), 1635 Sandy Flats, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

Linda Barnett, 270 Dogwood Trail, Corbin, KY 40701 was appointed executor on 2/13/204 for the estate of Theresa M. Wilson (deceased), 2079 White Oak Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769.  The attorney for the executor is Marcia Smith, P.O. Box 699, Corbin, KY 40702.

Vicky Lynn Walden, 588 Ballard Ford Road West, Williamsburg, KY 40769 was appointed executrix on 2/13/2024 for the estate of Naomi Reid (deceased), 77 King Mtn. Spur Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769.  The attorney for the executrix is Don Moses, 113 Main Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

Lisa Smith, 135 Jasper Mackey Road, Rockholds, KY 40759 was appointed administratrix on 2/19/2024 for the estate of Jasper Douglas Smith (deceased), 135 Jasper Mackey Road, Rockholds, KY 40759.

Brenda Partin, 8920 S. Highway 25W, Williamsburg, KY 40769 was appointed executrix on 2/20/2024 for the estate of Susie Meadors (deceased), 8920 S. Highway 25W, Williamsburg, KY 40769. The attorney for the executrix is Hon. Eugene E. Siler, III, 203 S. 5th Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

Bennie McCullah, 2135 Highway 904 E., Williamsburg, KY 40769 was appointed executrix on 2/20/2024 for the estate of Joyce McCullah (deceased), 2135 Highway 904 E, Williamsburg, KY 40769. The attorney for the executrix is Howard Mann, 104 N. Kentucky Ave., Corbin, KY 40701.

Carrie Mae King, 228 S. 11th Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769 was appointed executrix on 2/20/2024 for the estate of Anna Hamblin Thaler, a/k/a Anna Jane Thaler (deceased), 1313 Roosevelt Street, Corbin, KY 40701.

Angela Searles, 756 Sawmill Hollow Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769 was appointed administratrix on 2/27/2024 for the estate of Verla Faye Searles (deceased), 763 Sawmill Hollow Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769. The attorney for the administratrix is Don Moses, 113 Main Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

Angela Searles, 756 Sawmill Hollow Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769 was appointed administratrix on 2/27/2024 for the estate of Rodney Lee Searles (deceased), 763 Sawmill Hollow Road, Williamsburg, KY 40769. The attorney for the administratrix is Don Moses, 113 Main Street, Williamsburg, KY 40769.

James Edward Walls, 25708 L Dr. North, Albion, MI 49224 was appointed administrator on 2/27/2024 for the estate of William Earl Walls (deceased), 911 West 8th Street, Corbin, KY 40701. The attorney for the administrator is Hon. Amanda Hill, Esq., P.O. Box 1605, Corbin, KY 40702.

Given under my hand this 29th day of February, 2024.

Gary W. Barton, Clerk

District & Circuit Courts

Whitley County/Williamsburg, KY 40769

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.

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.

Fire at Brush Arbor Apartments under investigation

A Monday evening blaze at Brush Arbor apartments displaced at least four families and sent one fighter to the hospital with what are believed to be minor injuries, according to the Williamsburg Fire Department.

The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation by Kentucky State Police and the Williamsburg Police Department.