Wren seeks to have guilty verdict overturned in case of DUI and reckless driving

The Williamsburg attorney convicted on DUI and reckless driving charges following a two-day trial last month is seeking to have the verdict overturned, according to court documents.

Circuit Court Lawsuits

Lady Hounds survive scare from Jackson Co. in round one of region tournament

The Jackson County Lady Generals did not make it easy, but the Corbin Lady Hounds were able to do what they needed to do to secure a 56-49 victory Tuesday evening at the Corbin Arena. (more…)

Out & About KY Style… Bits n’ Pieces

Over the years I’ve experienced some interesting, and sometimes funny happenings I have encountered all the way back to my college days, first at Western Kentucky University and then the University of Kentucky.

Gary West is an author and News Journal columnist.

Anyone who has ever written anything probably has a story to tell of the experience. Writing a story about someone or something usually requires a bit of research. This can often turn out to be more interesting than the original subject matter. It can be compared to taking a trip to see something special only to discover more interesting things to see and do along the way.

With this in mind I’ve put together some memories beginning my freshman year in 1961, at Western Kentucky University. I was launching my journalism studies under Miss Frances Richards. She taught the only J-class there. She earned her masters degree with my grandmother several years earlier, so I had developed a good relationship with my teacher.

The day came when she informed the class we would be writing an editorial. “This is your opinion of the subject,” she said. “Anything you want to write about.”

Enjoying sports as I did, I decided to write my opinion that Western Coach Ed Diddle needed to consider retirement. He was an HOF coach, won over 1,000 games and had become the biggest legend in the school’s history.

My reasoning was simple. With two back-to-back 5-16 seasons, I thought it was a no-brainer to at least broach the subject in my editorial. I actually thought I had presented a good case.

Not so fast my friend.

The following class Miss Richards called on me to come to her desk.

“Gary, do you like being in school here at Western?” she asked.

“Of course I do,” I answered. “My dad brought me here in 1954 to see my first Hilltopper game. I love this school. In fact my nickname in high school was Western because of my name.”

“Gary, you can’t say these things about Coach Diddle. I suggest you give the assignment another try,” she directed while tearing my editorial into pieces and tossing it into the big metal trash can beside her desk. “Say hello to your grandmother when you see her.”

At UK I became heavily involved with the school paper, The Kentucky Kernel. In 1965 I was assigned as one of the daily sports editors. In other words I was responsible for the sports page one day a week.

I was told that in order to attend basketball practice, I needed to get Coach (Adolph) Rupp’s okay. I don’t know when I’ve ever been more nervous just calling the former coach on the phone. It was so bad for me I recall actually hoping he wouldn’t be in his office. No such luck. His secretary immediately connected me to him.

Coach Rupp sir, my name is Gary West, sir, and I’ve just been named daily sports editor at the Kernel, sir. And sir, I’d like to come to your practice, sir.

“That’s all right young man,” he said in the Kansas drawl as only he could. “But, don’t do what one boy did to me a few years ago. He asked if he could come to practice. I said yes you can. Well, he brought his whole fraternity with him.”

Being a basketball junkie, in 1966, Western was playing Eastern, only a few miles from Lexington where I was in school.

The Hilltoppers were loaded: Clem Haskins, the Smith brothers, and Wayne Chapman. Eastern was, too.

The game was a sellout in Richmond, but hey It was a ballgame and two of my first brothers headed that way in late afternoon. None of us had ever seen a game we couldn’t get into, sellout or not.

Finding friends who were students proved unsuccessful in locating three tickets. But we were not going to be denied. Locating a side door open to the Coliseum we quickly found our way to the men’s restroom. I took one stall while they each found one. It was well over an hour until doors were unlocked for the crowd to pour in. Then it would be an additional hour before the game started.

With my feet on top of the commode, whenever school employees checked the restroom for people like me, it was all clear. It was quite a wait just standing there and in complete silence. Finally, when we smelled the popcorn we were out of there. We were on a mission to see that game . . . and we did.

Everyone old enough remembers where they were on November 22, 1963, when word quickly spread that President John F. Kennedy had just been assassinated in Dallas. I was on my way to class strolling across UK’s campus when someone came running out of the journalism building screaming, “My God the President has been shot.” Suddenly the world stopped as we knew it. Everyone on the sidewalk stood in silence, not knowing if it was a joke or not. Crude jokes were heard from those not believing it. “One person ran up to me saying,” Now, I can date Jackie.” I know he later regretted it. Going to class was no longer a focus of mine, but getting back to my fraternity house was. Once there it seemed like the entire frat house was crammed into our downstairs T.V. room. Disbelief was everywhere and soon lots of tears followed.

This was a time before cell phones even existed. None of us had ever heard of one. I had to call home, but our end-of-the hall phones were in use. Others had the same idea.

Many of us headed back to our home towns.

Kentucky and Tennessee were scheduled to play football the next day. It was to be the last game of the season in a year of unfulfilled hopes for Kentucky. With a record of 3-5 it would have probably been better had the game been cancelled.

It was played.

Several of us drove back to Lexington from E’Town for the game. Our ride was somber, to say the least. We were just looking for something to take our mind off of just losing the President of the United States.

No one I know to this day remembers much about the 19-0 loss to Tennessee. I don’t remember seeing cheerleaders jumping around encouraging us to stand up and cheer. Normally each band would have strutted their stuff at halftime. Instead, I recall both bands joining together to play either our National Anthem or God Bless America. It seemed very appropriate.

While most UK fans sat in the Stoll Field stands to the bitter end, a bazaar thing happened.

Back in the day the two rivals played for a symbolic beer barrel. The winner kept it on their sidelines behind their bench. Kentucky had won 12-10 the year before, so the barrel set near a short wall separating the field from the crowd.

As the horn sounded ending the game, the Tennessee cheerleaders were on an all-out sprint from their side of the field to retrieve the beer barrel. At almost the same time one of our Sigma Chi pledges who happened to be a freshman team All-American on the UK Kitten team, reached over the rail, lifted the barrel and raced up the steps as the crowd for the first time all day had something to cheer about. At the top of the steps he handed the barrel off to another pledge, Charlie Fields from Ashland, Kentucky.

Now carrying the fifty-five pound wooden beer barrel, he was soon out on the Avenue of Champions, the main street in front of Memorial Coliseum and the football field, with six or seven orange dressed cheerleaders in hot pursuit.

What happened next was what I described as a near-miracle. The huge crowd that had emptied out of the stadium onto the street, parted to let pledge Fields through, and then quickly filling in behind him. The move blocked the UT cheerleaders from catching Fields, who short-cut his way through yards, parking lots and parks on his way to safety at the Sigma Chi House.

He made it, slipping in a side door where he placed the barrel in a “janitors closet,” and locked the door. Ten minutes later the Tennessee yell leaders came through the front door looking for their rightful trophy. We, of course, didn’t know anything about it.

The next day, Sunday, several of us E’town guys wrapped the barrel in a blanket, loaded it in a trunk and headed to Hardin County to show off our prize.

We kept it there for a few days, brought it back to Lexington, and when the basketball season rolled around made a big deal of presenting it to UT at halftime.

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

Wilson receives Upper Cumberland Community Foundations’ Wendal Mitchell Memorial Fund Scholarship

University of the Cumberlands Junior Shelby Wilson is the recipient of the Wendal Mitchell Memorial Fund Scholarship.

Mitchell’s family set up his memorial fund with the Upper Cumberland Community Foundation in 2020. Mitchell was known for his impact as an educator and principal at Corbin Independent Schools.

“Mr. Mitchell was a Corbin icon; helping his family create a tribute to his life’s work was a privilege and a primary motivation for establishing a community foundation affiliate serving our area,” said Sandi Curd, an Upper Cumberland Community Foundation board member.

Mitchell’s passion for education started in the early 60s, when he began teaching STEM courses at Corbin High School. He was hired as the first principal at Corbin Middle School in 1978, and he remained in this position until his retirement in 1992.

Shelby Wilson knew Mitchell personally while she attended Corbin High School. “He poured into his community abundantly,” she said, “which is something that I adore about him.”

She also noted the generosity of his family. Wilson said that she is “beyond blessed” to be chosen as the recipient of this scholarship, and she dreams of one day giving back to her community as Mitchell and his family have given to her.

Referring to the Upper Cumberland Community Foundation, Wilson said that “they provide for students in Appalachia, which is so important, because a lot of students don’t get the opportunity to go to college because of money.”

Wilson’s dream is to set up a scholarship of her own in the future, because she believes that every student should be able to attend college.

Currently, Wilson is majoring in biology and minoring in business administration at the University of the Cumberlands in preparation for applying to dental school next year.

In her current position as a dental assistant, Wilson has witnessed the negative effects that drug and alcohol abuse have on the self-esteem of recovering addicts. Wilson hopes to help her patients feel confident in their smiles now and in her future career as a dentist.

“I think that is what makes the school, the job, and dentistry worth it; just seeing people smile,” Wilson said.

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.

Karen Jean Bryant

Karen Jean Bryant, born on October 22, 1947, in Pennington Gap, VA, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2024, at her residence in Rockholds, KY, surrounded by her loving family.
She was a devoted homemaker and cherished mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.
Karen will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Stephanie Mullins (Ronnie); son, Jeremy Bryant (Melinda); grandchild, Madison Bryant, grandchild, Morgan Bryant, granddaughter, Kierra Mullins, granddaughter, Aliyah Bryant, granddaughter Arianna Mullins, grandson Bryant Mullins, granddaughter, Maya Bryant; brother, Jerry Baird (Daphne), brother, John Baird; brother-in-law, Bill Bryant; special niece, Liz Grubb, and a host of other family and friends.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Herbert Baird and Katherine (Harbor) Baird; husband, Donald Bryant; and son, Stacey Bryant.
A celebration of Karen’s life will be held at the Croley Funeral Home on March 7, with a family viewing at 11:00 am, followed by a public viewing at 12:00 pm. The funeral service will commence at 2:00 pm, where family and friends will gather to honor and reminisce about the wonderful memories shared with Karen throughout the years.
Karen will be laid to rest in the Bryant-Haven Cemetery at 3:30 pm on the same day, surrounded by those who loved and treasured her deeply. Her spirit and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.
In celebration of Karen Jean Bryant’s life, let us come together to honor and remember a woman who brought light and love to all those around her. Her memory will forever be cherished and her legacy will continue to inspire us all.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Sharon Faye Watson

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Sharon Faye Watson, a beloved mother, grandmother, and sister.
Sharon, born on July 28, 1958, in Jellico, Tennessee to Onard Watson and Della (Golden) Watson, peacefully departed from this world on March 2, 2024, at the Baptist Health in Corbin, Kentucky.
Sharon dedicated her life to raising her children and caring for her family. With a heart full of love and a nurturing spirit, she excelled in her role as a devoted housewife within the walls of her own home.
She is survived by her sons, Jimmy Watson, and Billy Watson; daughter, Jennifer Watson; daughter-in-law, Minnie Watson; daughter-in-law, Kerry Watson; grandchildren, John Hill, Sean Hill, Christian Hill, Billy Joe Watson II, Nathaniel Hambrick, Danny Ray Osborne, Jessie Watson, and Bianca Watson; as well as her sister, Shirley Jones; brother-in-law, Kelly Jones; sister, Billie Jean Watson; brother, Bruce Watson; sister-in-law, Jill Watson; and brother, Tom Watson-Hurst. Several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn her passing.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Onard Watson and Della (Golden) Watson Fraley.
A funeral service at Croley Funeral Home Chapel in remembrance of Sharon Watson will be held on March 6, at 11:00 am with Rev. Josh Bowman officiating to honor her life and legacy.
A public viewing will take place on March 5, at 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Croley Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will be at Golden Family Cemetery.
Sharon Watson’s presence will be deeply missed, but her memory will forever be cherished by those whose lives she touched. May she rest in eternal peace.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Union’s Hannah Baker named SoAHEC FutureDoc

Last week, the Southern Kentucky Area Health Education Center (SoAHEC) announced that Union College junior Hannah Baker is one of nine students selected for the FutureDocs Pre-med Prep Program.

Over a period of five months, Baker and the other students will meet at Rockcastle Regional and Respiratory Care Center in Mt. Vernon, as well as over Zoom, and receive resources and support to help them prepare for the medical school application process.

“I believe this program will be, and already has been, very beneficial in my personal journey of pursuing medicine,” Baker said.

A graduate of Corbin High School, Baker is a biology major set to graduate in December of 2024. In addition to her academics, she serves as a tutor, peer mentor, and president of the science club. Recently, she completed a Ledford Scholars research project with a competitive grant she received from the Appalachian College Association (ACA).

Baker said she has always wanted to become a doctor but the process to get there “can be very overwhelming and stressful.” She said FutureDocs “aims to helps students better understand it all.”

SoAHEC’s FutureDocs targets students from Berea College, Centre College, Eastern Kentucky University, Union College, and University of the Cumberlands. Selected students receive help strengthening their medical school applications, which includes interview practice, guidance on crafting personal statements, and study support for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

During the five months, the cohort visits all the medical schools in Kentucky, as well as Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) in Tennessee. This gives the students opportunities to interact with physicians and current medical students.

As Baker said, this helps them to “learn more about each school and what life as a medical student will look like.”

SoAHEC offers a variety of educational programs for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and undergraduates, including the Summer Health Career Camp held annually at Union College. The aim of SoAHEC’s various offerings is to connect local students with health career opportunities. Ultimately, this helps to grow the workforce of health care professionals in the region, which improves access to health care in SoAHEC’s 15-county service area.

The fee for the FutureDocs program is $400. This includes a Princeton Review MCAT self-study course, which offers students a savings of roughly $1,200.

Lights, Camera, Action 12 Cinema!

Do you enjoy playing games? Are you a fan of cheesy, over-the-top action movies? If your answer is “yes” to both of those questions, then you are in luck, as Corbin’s own Michael Ross has created a role-playing game that perfectly merges those two passions into one raucous, fun-filled experience. (more…)

Walter Dale credits others who helped in his rescue

Williamsburg resident Walter Dale, who was rescued after spending two nights near Cumberland Falls in the freezing cold last month, said that he is now doing alright now thanks to those, who helped rescue him on Jan. 16, and he said that multiple people deserve credit for his rescue.

Walter Dale said that he is currently staying with his uncle, Matt, and Matt’s friend, who are taking good care of him.

Walter Dale, who nearly everyone in Williamsburg has seen walking around at some point or another and who is known by his full name, explained how he got to the point of needing rescue during a recent telephone interview.

Walter Dale said that he was going to see his uncle in McCreary County on Jan. 14 when the incident occurred. He normally takes KY92W going past Walmart, but on that day decided to walk towards Cumberland Falls.

Walter Dale said after he crossed the overland bridge, some guy told him to walk towards Eagle Falls to get where he needed to go, which he started doing. However, he said that he soon fell straight down.

Walter Dale said that he couldn’t make an SOS call because his backpack, which had his phone in it, went into the river when he fell.

He said that he would see people every day on the river and hollered at them to get help, but they would laugh at him.

Jason Ryan Beavers was recently honored for finding Walter Dale on Jan. 16, but Walter Dale said that three other people also deserve recognition for helping rescue him.

He said that Randall Brummett, Rusty Brummett and Travis White were about one minute behind Beavers on the day he got found.

“They were right behind the Beavers’ boy,” Walter Dale said.

Walter Dale said that the three men helped get him unstuck from the ground, started a fire to keep him warm, had a survival blanket for him and one of them caught the rope from rescuers in a boat, who came across the river from the Whitley County side to get him.

Walter Dale had to be removed by boat due to a log jam on the McCreary County side of the river.