Garrett E. Lawson

Garrett E. Lawson, born in Whitley County, Kentucky on November 26, 1962, passed away on February 8, 2024 at the age of 61.
He was a hardworking and compassionate man, dedicated to his family and his community. As a retired coal miner, Garrett was committed to his work in the coal industry, embodying the spirit of his favorite quote, “To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.”
Garrett spent his life in Corbin, Kentucky where he was loved and respected by all who knew him.
He was a devoted husband to his wife, Belinda Helton, and a loving father to his children Missy (Scott) Saylor, Heather (Rick) Powers, and Johnny (Valerie) Helton. He was also a cherished grandfather and great-grandfather, adored by his grandchildren Katelynn (Dustin), Blake, Kelsey (Ryan), Emily (Ryland), Michael, Megan, Hunter, Michael (Elizabeth), Rachelle (Aaron) and his great-grandchildren Rylan, Kanden, Ryker, Myrick, Joslynn, Elijah, Elise, Myles, Everleigh, Charleston, Braxton, and Mallory. Garrett is also survived by his brothers Glenn, Justin, and Trenton Lawson, his sister Jennie (Darrell) Mills, his special niece Chara Wynn, and his special friends Archie Carter, Kenneth Mackey, and Curly Adkins.
Garrett was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Pearle Lawson; his brothers, Hershel and David Lawson; and his grandmother, Het Mackey.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 6:00pm at Croley Funeral Home located at 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 14, at 11:00am at Croley Funeral Home, followed by the burial at 12:00pm.
Garrett’s life was a testament to the power of compassion and hard work, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. We invite you to leave memories and upload photos to Garrett’s memorial page as we celebrate his life and legacy together. Special thanks to Bluegrass Care Navigators for their love and compassion during Garrett’s final days. “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.” – William Wordsworth.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Carl Taylor

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Carl Taylor, age 66, of Brookeville, Ohio who passed away at his home on Friday February 9, 2024 leaving his family and friends to mourn.
Carl was born on December 8, 1957 in Williamsburg, Ky. to the late Luther and Gladys Engle Taylor. He was Luther and Gladys eleventh child of twelve.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Trina; a son, Drew; his siblings, Larry Taylor, Gary Taylor, Dave Taylor, Verlin Taylor, Sue Hamblin, Lillie Lawson and Ota Powers.
He is survived by his siblings, June (Darrel) Nave, Nancy Powers, Rick Taylor and Fred (Debbie) Taylor; his son, James Taylor; his daughter, Crystal Taylor-Chester; grandchildren, Kaylee, Jordon, Maddie, Aspen and Logan; great-grandchildren, Ozzy and Hailee. He is also survived by a large family which includes numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, February 13, at Ellison Funeral Home 512 Main Street Williamsburg, Ky. with Bro Danny Powers officiating.
Interment will be in the Young Cemetery at Verne.
Visitation will be 12:00 pm until funeral hour Tuesday, February 13, at the funeral home.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home is entrusted with these arrangements.

 

Janet Hoskins Estep

Janet Hoskins Estep, was born April 16, 1938 to George Hoskins and Mary Barrett Hoskins. She went home to the Lord on Friday, February 9, 2024.
She was a wonderful, kind, and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend.
She was a long-time member of Briar Creek Baptist Church.
She was a devout Christian, who showed the love and mercy of the Lord to all she met. She was steadfast in her faith, very courageous and wise. She fought cancer for years through her courage and faith in God. She was a witness for Christ and gave a testimony of faith and encouragement to other patients who were fighting for their lives.
She loved music, reading, true crime stories, and word puzzles. She loved cooking, baking, gardening and crafts, and was quite skilled at all these. She loved sharing her creations with others. Her home was always welcome to all.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Estep; her daughter, Melody K. Estep; her parents; brothers, Orville Hoskins; sister-in-law, Joyce Hoskins, Sam Hoskins; sisters, Blanche Roark and Joan Moses.
She leaves to mourn her passing three children, Denise Estep and granddog (Grandmother’s) Cocoa, Johnny Estep and wife Julie, and Aundria Adkins; two grandsons, Johnny Estep, Jr., David Peters and wife Caitlin; three granddaughters, Angela Case Liford, Janet April Adkins, Jocelyn Ashley Adkins; three great-granddaughters, Ava Elizabeth Estep, Jaycee Elise Estep, and Zelda Atreyu Miller; sisters, Audrey Jones, Geraldine Taylor and husband Jack, Linda Mays and husband Harold, Velma Hoskins, Vanda Rogers, Carolyn Collett and husband John, Fern Caldwell and husband Kenneth; sister-in-law, Fern Collett Hoskins, Ethel Isaac and Christopher Brian Lambdin; and a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great-grand-nieces and nephews.
Interment will be at the Highland Cemetery in Williamsburg, KY.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Corbin students make college dean’s lists

A number of college students with local ties have been named to the Dean’s List of their respective schools.

Berea College

More than 460 Berea College students were named to the Fall 2023 Dean’s List, including Breanna Jones and Collin Tennant of Corbin. A student is named to the Dean’s List who achieves a GPA of 3.4 or higher while passing at least four total credits, a course load equivalent to 16 semester hours.

Berea College, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South, focuses on learning, labor and service. The College only admits academically promising students with limited financial resources, primarily from Kentucky and Appalachia, although students come from 45 states and 70 countries.

The Citadel

Kathryn Lewis of Corbin is among the more than 1,300 cadets and students at The Citadel recognized for their academic achievements during the fall 2023 semester.

The dean’s list is a recognition given to cadets and students who are registered for 12 or more semester hours and whose grade point average is 3.20 or higher, with no grade of I (Incomplete) and no grade below C for work in a semester.

Cadets who are named to the dean’s list receive a medal, which is worn on their uniform during the semester following their academic achievement. Non-cadet students on the dean’s list are presented a certificate.

The Citadel, with its iconic campus located in Charleston, South Carolina, offers a classic military college education for young men and women focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction.

The approximately 2,300 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets are not required to serve in the military, but about one-third of each class earn commissions to become officers in every branch of U.S. military service.

 

Eugene Siler, a life revisited (part 3)

After a failed bid for the governor’s office in 1951, Williamsburg’s own Eugene Siler, Sr. decided to make run for a congressional seat in 1954. It was a decision that would greatly affect not only the rest of his life, but the lives of generations of Whitley Countians. (more…)

 

Baptist Health Corbin celebrates milestone achievement with over 1,000 baby deliveries

Late last month, Baptist Health Corbin announced a significant milestone in its commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services to the community. The hospital has successfully welcomed and celebrated over 1,000 baby deliveries, marking a momentous achievement in the field of maternity care.

This achievement is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our outstanding team of physicians, nurses, and support staff who work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of both mothers and newborns. The hospital’s commitment to excellence in maternal care is reflected in the positive experiences and outcomes of the families we have had the privilege to serve, Baptist Health Corbin wrote in a release.

“It is great to see the continuous improvement of care we provide through the efforts of our staff and physicians. We pride ourselves on the nursing experience we have to offer our patients,” stated Sherrie Mays, Vice President Chief of Nursing. She added, “We are pleased to be the leaders in caring for our women and children in Southeast Kentucky.”

In addition to recognizing the remarkable efforts of our healthcare professionals, Baptist Health Corbin extends its gratitude to the families who have entrusted us with the care of their loved ones during this special and significant time. It is our privilege to be a part of the joyous moments that come with bringing new life into the world, the release noted.

As part of its ongoing commitment to improving patient care, Baptist Health Corbin continues to invest in state-of-the-art facilities, advanced medical technologies, and professional development opportunities for its staff. This ensures that it can provide the highest quality of care and support to expectant mothers and their families. Some accomplishments include:

• Labor and delivery staff that has a combined 331 years of nursing experience.
• Its c-section rate of 26 percent is below the national average of 32 percent.
• It has a level II NICU that is staffed by well-trained, dedicated nurses.
• It a dedicated, certified neonatologist and collaborate with UK Neonatology to provide the best care possible to our well babies as well as our NICU babies.
• The hospital has a mother-baby unit dedicated to providing to both the mother and the newborn.
• It has a mother-baby nurse navigator that is very involved with helping all of its antepartum patients as well as following up with them after delivery.
• The hospital has a lactation consultant that is very involved with all inpatients as well being available for outpatient appointments.

 

Unemployment rate remains steady in Whitley, Knox counties

Unemployment rates stayed the same in Whitley and Knox counties, decreased in Laurel and Bell counties, and increased in McCreary County between November 2023 and December 2023, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Whitley County

Whitley County’s unemployment rate remained at 4.4 percent between November 2023 and December 2023. Whitley County’s December 2023 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent higher than the December 2022 unemployment rate.

Laurel County

Laurel County’s unemployment decreased from 4.2 percent in November 2023 to 4.1 percent in December 2023. Laurel County’s December 2023 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the December 2022 unemployment rate.

Knox County

Knox County’s unemployment rate remained at 5.4 percent between November 2023 and December 2023. Knox County’s December 2023 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent higher than the December 2022 unemployment rate.

Bell County

Bell County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5 percent in November 2023 to 5.3 percent in December 2023. Bell County’s December 2023 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent higher than the December 2022 unemployment rate.

McCreary County

McCreary County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.2 percent in November 2023 to 5.4 percent in December 2023. McCreary County’s December 2023 unemployment rate was 0.9 percent higher than the December 2022 unemployment rate.

Statewide unemployment

Kentucky’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.9 percent in November 2023 to 3.8 percent in December 2023. Kentucky’s December 2023 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent higher than the December 2022 unemployment rate.

Unemployment rates rose in 115 counties between December 2022 and December 2023, fell in Marshall, Trigg and Wolfe counties, and remained the same in Caldwell and Letcher counties, according to KYSTATS.

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.8 percent. It was followed by Caldwell, Marion and Washington counties, 3 percent each; Anderson, Carroll, Fayette, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.1 percent each; and Bourbon, Cumberland, Jessamine, Nelson and Oldham counties, 3.2 percent each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9 percent. It was followed by Elliott and Martin counties, 8,2 percent each; Lewis County, 8 percent; Carter County, 7.2 percent; Breathitt County, 7.1 percent; Owsley County, 6.6 percent; Leslie County, 6.4 percent; and Greenup and Johnson counties, 6.3 percent each.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes.

The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.8 percent for December 2023, and 3.5 percent for the nation.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

Whitley County has a civilian labor force of 14,158 people with 13,539 employed and 619 unemployed. Statewide, Kentucky has a civilian labor force of 2,019,568 people with 1,942,066 employed and 77,502 unemployed.

Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.

 

Former Mayor Scott Williamson selected as next Corbin City Manager Friday

The Corbin City Commission has selected its next city manager to replace Marlon Sams, who is retiring effective April 1, and he is a familiar face with extensive knowledge about the workings of city government.

The Corbin City Commission held a special meeting late Friday afternoon and met in executive session for more than 80 minutes before returning to regular session and unanimously voting to hire former mayor Scott Williamson as the next city manager at a salary of $72,000 annually.

Williamson was one of four finalists for the job.

On Jan. 31, the Corbin City Commission interviewed two of the four finalists, and on Feb. 5, they interviewed the other two finalists for about one hour each before coming together for Friday’s special called meeting to select the next city manager.

“You can tell that we gave this an enormous amount of thought,” noted Mayor Suzie Razmus. “I think just the years of experience and the qualifications kind of brought him (Williamson) to the top.”

City commissioners echoed similar sentiments.

“I think that everybody on the commission did their due diligence. I think that the process was the best we could have done it. In my opinion I just feel like his qualifications and what he has done for Corbin really guided him to the top of my list,” said Commissioner Brandon Shepherd.

“Although we weren’t on the same page we all wanted the same thing for Corbin.  A brighter future, and this was the first step in doing that,” added Commissioner James Gambrel.

Williamson is a 1972 Corbin High School graduate, who worked in pharmaceutical sales for several years.

He was elected as mayor for three consecutive terms serving as Corbin Mayor from 1993 until he resigned in August 2004 to take a position as to take a job in Frankfort where he served in many leadership roles in five different positions, including roles in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

“I loved being mayor and we were certainly successful in many projects and endeavors,” Williamson said. “I really feel that I can add something to the team at city hall.”

When he was mayor, Williamson noted that he briefly served as interim city manager between the time Dave Hudson retired until Bill Ed Cannon was hired as city manager.

Razmus said that city officials plan to discuss Williamson’s start date on Monday. “We told him that we need him as soon as possible,” she added.

Williamson said that he anticipates starting sometime before the end of the month, and probably much sooner than that.

See the News Journal Wednesday for a more extensive interview with Williamson.

 

Jason Lecompte

Jason Lecompte, age 50, of Williamsburg, Ky., passed away Sunday, February 4, 2024 at Charleston General Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia.
He was born February 7, 1973 in Shelbyville, Ky. To the late James Lecompte and Lois Jean Dempsey Lecompte.
Jason was an EMT for Knox, Laurel and Whitley Ambulance Services.
He is survived by his wife, Sabrina Lecompte of Williamsburg, Ky.; five children, Destiny Alsip, Domanik Alsip (Hannah Patterson), Donavan Alsip, D’Shawn Henderson and Denae Henderson all of Williamsburg, Ky.; one grandchild, Vera Alsip; his mother, Jeanne Lecompte of Shelbyville, Ky.; one sister, Karen Beckley of Shelbyville, Ky.; one brother, William Lecompte of Shelbyville, Ky.; one half sister, Vicky Shous; two half brothers, Scott Lecompte, and Jamie Lecompte; best friend, B-Rad Callahan; and several nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his passing.
Funeral service was Thursday, February 8, at Ellison Funeral Home with Rev. Kenny Carr and B-Rad Callahan officiating.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.ellisonfh.com.
Ellison Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

 

Corbin, W’burg elementary school academic teams win District Governor’s Cup competitions

Saturday was a big day for local elementary school academic teams as the Corbin Elementary School Academic Team took home first place honors in their District Governor’s Cup competition, while Williamsburg Elementary School Academic Team took home first place honors in their District Governor’s Cup competition.

The Corbin Elementary School Academic Team competed in their competition at Whitley North Elementary School taking on host Whitley North, Oak Grove Elementary School and Whitley Central Elementary School.

Corbin Elementary was the 2024 District Governor’s Cup Champions in their district in addition to finishing first place in quick recall and winning the Hume Sportsmanship Award.

Team members include: Thomas Baker, Greyson Barton, Kyle Coleman, Anniston Cox, Luke Evans, Mila Hammons, Landon Howard, Graham Lewis, Jackson Lowe, Haddie Miller, Cami Mullins, Garrison Scearse, Connor Sherman and Ronnie Sulfridge.

The following Corbin Elementary School Academic Team members finished in the top four in the following respective subject areas, including:

• Math – first place Thomas Baker, second place Ronnie Sulfridge, and third place Jackson Lowe.
• Social Studies – first place Landon Howard, second place Graham Lewis, and third place Thomas Baker.
• Science – first place Garrison Scearse, and a second place tie between Mila Hammons and Luke Evans.
• Language Arts – first place Landon Howard, second place Connor Sherman, and third place Graham Lewis.
• Arts & Humanities – first place Mila Hammons, second place Jackson Lowe, and fourth place Garrison Scearse.
• Composition – first place Cami Mullins, second place Connor Sherman, and third place Anniston Cox.

Three Corbin Elementary School students finished in the State Top 10, including Thomas Baker in Math, Mila Hammons in Arts and Humanities, and Landon Howard in Social Studies and Language arts.

Corbin coaches include Nickie Dixon and Angela Kilburn.

The Williamsburg Elementary School Academic Team also competed in their District Governor’s Cup competition Saturday.

The Williamsburg Elementary School Academic Team took first place in quick recall and first overall in the district against Pleasant View Elementary and Boston Elementary.

The following Williamsburg Elementary School Academic Team members finished in the top five in the following subject areas, including:

• Math – first place Colton Farris, second place Zechariah Conn, and third place John Curtis White.
• Social Studies – third place John Curtis White and fourth place Zechariah Conn.
• Language Arts – second place John Creekmore and fifth place Derek Jones.
• Arts & Humanities – third place Eli Warfield and fourth place Ben Stephens.
• Composition – first place John Creekmore, second place Colton Farris, and fifth place Derek Jones.

Williamsburg coaches include Myah Lowrie and Haylie Reeves.

The winners will move onto regional competition in March.