CHS Speech Team places in regional tournament, heads to state at NKU

Kentucky students from the Upper Kentucky River Region, an 11-county section of Eastern Kentucky, effectively wowed their audiences and fellow competitors at the Kentucky High School Speech League (KHSSL) Regional Speech Tournament, which was held Saturday, Feb. 3, at Knott County Central High School in Hindman.

The regional tournaments serve as qualifiers for the upcoming State Speech Tournaments. Kentucky’s seven regions hold these tournaments at both the Junior and Senior levels each year, and each qualifies students for the Junior State Speech Tournament (grades 4-8) or the Senior State Speech Tournament (grades 9-12) being held March 8-9 at Northern Kentucky University.

At each regional contest, regional champions and runners up are named in each of the 12 Junior and 14 Senior speech categories. Additionally, team awards are given to the top three teams in each of the regions.

Speech and Debate provides students with an opportunity to refine skills in public speaking, listening, and critical thinking by providing an arena for extracurricular competition in speech, drama and debate. These skills help students not only in the classroom but also in their future career paths.

Corbin High School placed runner-up in the Upper Kentucky Region School Sweepstakes. The winners from Corbin High School in the Regional Speech Tournament are as follows: Cassie Messer, a Junior at CHS, placed as Regional Champion in Poetry Interpretation for the second year in a row. The team of Bailyn Scent and Joshua Edwards, both Seniors at CHS placed as Regional Champions in Improvisational Duo. Senior, Samuel Price, placed as Regional Runner Up in Broadcast Announcing.

In addition to these Regional Champions and Runners Up, all 20 students from the Corbin High School Speech Team qualified to advance on to the State Tournament, including: Samuel Price (Impromptu Speaking), Bailyn Scent (Impromptu Speaking), Christian Prewitt (Broadcasting), Team of Samuel Price and Nehemiah Day (Improvisational Duo), Team of Audrey Orr and Ayden Ferguson (Improvisational Duo), Jackson Jones (Informative Speaking), Audrey Orr (Poetry Interpretation), Amy White (Extemporaneous Speaking), Madison North (Storytelling), Riley Lewis (Original Oratory), Serenity Loudin (Humorous Interpretation and Dramatic Interpretation), Emma Zilinksy (Dramatic Interpretation and Informative Speaking), the team of Ayden Ferguson and Audrey Orr (Improvisational Duo), Savannah James (Prose Interpretation), Jimmy Cavins (Extemporaneous Speaking), Chloe Walker (Duo Interpretation and Dramatic Interpretation), Phoebe Nedlo (Duo Interpretation and Declamation), and Jackson Lawson (Extemporaneous Speaking).

The CHS Speech and Debate Team is coached by Tara Prewitt and Sara Donahue.

The team had a special thank you for Daniel Noble, Missy Scent, Jeremiah Banks and Raegan Frost for their special help, as well as traveling as judges on behalf of the team.

Barbourville man indicted by Knox County grand jury in Sept. 2023 crash

A Barbourville man, who was allegedly intoxicated during a September 2023 head-on crash that injured another person, has been indicted by a Knox County grand jury.

A lesson learned; don’t put off getting preventive vaccinations

Some people have told me that they missed my columns during January. I appreciate that. However, due to my illness I wasn’t up to writing any.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

My wife and I are into preventive health. We have taken all covid shots that are available, flu shots, shingles, you name it, we try to stay ahead. However, were going to get the RSV shots, but RSV got us first.

Everybody at this office but iron man Trevor has been sick with RSV and colds. Mark White coughed so hard that he passed out and his wife had to take him to the ER at the hospital. But warrior Mark, like all the rest of the staff worked to get the paper out each week.

A couple of weeks ago it got so bad that I told Linda, our office manager, on a Thursday afternoon to put a sign on the door stating that we were closed due to illness and for all staff to work from home on Friday if they felt like it.

But for me I’m much older than the rest of the staff and the illness seemed to hit me the hardest. For three weeks I suffered to the point where my wife said that she didn’t know whether to take me to the hospital or to the funeral home.

Thankfully, my wife Judy prevented me from getting to the point of no return. She kept insisting that I should go to the doctor but I didn’t follow her advice. She then, on her own, called the doctor and made arrangements for me to see him.

It was a good thing that she did. The doctor said I had pneumonia. He went into action immediately and I was supplied with medicine and a breathing machine. They also did the test for RSV which was positive.

Unfortunately RSV is contagious and I gave it to my wife. Thus both of us were sick, but she is the stronger of the two and fared better than me. I am back at work now, but at about 90 percent. I am still weak from the virus.

Here is the lesson that all older people should learn from situations like this. Don’t put off getting preventive shots for the flu, pneumonia, RSV  and all the other preventive diseases. Had I had the RSV vaccine I would not have suffered for three weeks.

While I was away I had intentions of writing about the good work the Corbin Public Works did with the snow removal. Our street, like many others in town, were scraped and made passable.

Also, over a month ago Corbin City Manager Marlon Sams had the crew out on Highway 770 in Laurel County picking up the trash that collects there so heavily. Already that area from the junction of 312 to the Interstate bridge is filling up again. There seems to be some people who don’t care about the beauty of our area and use it as a trash deposit. It would help if Laurel County would pitch in and help with the cleanup.

Thanks Marlon and Happy Birthday!

Harrison, White will headline Feb. 13 Chamber of Commerce luncheon

Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. and Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison will be the keynote speakers during the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s monthly membership luncheon next week.

The luncheon will be held at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center on Tuesday, Feb. 13, starting at 11:45 a.m.

The sponsor for the luncheon will be The Mint Gaming Hall-Cumberland.

Catering will be provided by Sonny’s BBQ.

The cost for the luncheon will be $15.

To RSVP for the luncheon contact Stephanie Giles-Hussey at (606) 528-6390 or e-mail her at stephanie@wearesouthernkentucky.com.

The Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Commission is located at 650 S. 10^th Street, Williamsburg.

Edward “Ed” Earl Hamblin

Edward “Ed” Earl Hamblin, a treasured member of the Williamsburg, Kentucky community, stepped into eternity on February 2, 2024, leaving a legacy of love, hard work, and enduring friendships.
Born in Whitley County, Kentucky, on November 30, 1947, Ed, known for his grit and resilience, spent his years as a coal miner.
Ed is survived by his beloved wife, Ethel Hamblin; his son, Brian Hamblin (LeRoy); his sisters-in-laws, Pat Hamblin, Sue Stanfill (Clayton), Jeanette Smith, Joyce Campbell (Ancil), Barbara Sullivan (James); and his brothers-in-laws, Bobby Davis, James Davis and Raymond Davis (Jane).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Quillen and Mary Hamblin; his brothers, Herman, Gilbert, and Robert Hamblin; his sisters, Martha Creekmore, Nerva Manus and her husband RV; and his in-laws, Raymond and Chrystal Davis.
Ed was a man of strength, courage, and faith. He was fortunate to have cultivated relationships with his farming buddies, Jim Sullivan, Ancil Campbell, and Everett Hill were not only companions but like brothers Ed chose in life. Ed’s heart was always full of love for his family and friends, and he leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to remember his kindness and tenacity.
Visitation will be held at Croley Funeral Home, 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky, on Wednesday, February 7, at 1:00 pm.
The funeral service will follow at the same location at 2:00 pm. Ed’s life will be celebrated with a burial service at Jellico Creek Baptist Church, 9004 Kentucky 92, Williamsburg, Kentucky, at 3:00 pm. Dinner will be at the fellowship hall at the Emlyn Baptist Church following the interment.
As we reflect on Ed’s life, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos to Ed’s memorial page. Your stories and pictures are not just keepsakes, but they will help us all remember Ed for the remarkable man he was.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Diana Rose

Diana Rose, a beacon of knowledge and warmth, departed this world on February 3, 2024, leaving behind an indelible legacy of love, wisdom, and cherished memories.
Born on October 14, 1942, in Carpenter, Kentucky,
Diana’s life echoed the quiet serenity of her favorite novels. As a beloved librarian at Whitley County High School, she tirelessly worked to ignite the spark of knowledge in countless students. She believed that every individual had a story to tell, and she helped many to find their voices through the enchanting world of books.
As a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, her love story was one for the ages, full of laughter, tears, triumphs, and cherished moments spent in the company of her loved ones.
Diana’s legacy continues to shine through her daughters, Margie Stewart and Jeanne Greek, along with their husbands, JC Stewart and Mike Greek. Her grandchildren, Spencer Brown (Deonda), Keylee Brown, Addison Greek and Casey Stewart, will fondly remember her gentle wisdom and endless love. Diana was also a proud great-grandmother to Makynzi, Makynli, Paislee, Harper, and Tripp. Her sisters, Dolores Lawson (Ilas) and Nina Gail (A.T. Simmons), will forever cherish the bond of sisterhood they shared. Many nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn her passing.
Diana was reunited in death with her parents, William and Jeanette Davis; her loving husband, Clyde Rose; her brother, Bobby Davis; sister, Alma Vaughn; brother-in-law, Robert Vaughn; and niece Vickie Stephens.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the visitation on Monday, February 12, at 6:00 pm at the Croley Funeral Home, located at 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 13, at 11:00 am.
Diana will be laid to rest at the Rose Family Cemetery, Lot Mud Creek Road, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Diana’s memory will continue to inspire, guide, and comfort those she left behind. We encourage everyone to share their cherished memories, photos, and stories of Diana on her memorial page. In these shared moments, we can find comfort, celebrate Diana’s life, and keep her spirit alive in our hearts.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Flossie Croley

Flossie Croley, born on May 18, 1941, in Siler, KY, was a pillar of strength, resilience, and faith, whose life was a testament to the power of love and family.
Flossie, a faithful member of the Buffalo Baptist Church for over 50 years, lived her life by the words of Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Her faith was a beacon that guided her through life’s storms and brought light into the lives of those around her.
Flossie is survived by her loving family, including her daughter, Penny Croley; grandchildren, Paula Bargo, Jessica (Phillip Hart) Saylor, Amanda Bargo, Ashley (Jeremy) Hatfield, Tosha Croley, Chris Croley, Jeremy Lynn, Jennifer Lynn, and Anthony Lynn; sister, Flora Roberts; special friend, Anthony Saylor; twenty great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends to mourn her passing
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elisha and Josephine Baker; beloved spouse, Lloyd Croley; children, Tammy Bargo and Darrell Croley; grandchild, Tabitha Bargo; brothers, Clyde, Chester, and Floyd Baker; and sister, Faye Lambdin.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 7, at 6:00 pm at the Croley Funeral Home located at 103 South 2nd Street, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Funeral will take place on Thursday, February 8, beginning with a service at 1:00 pm at the Croley Funeral Home, followed by a burial ceremony at 3:00pm at the Baker Cemetery on Baker Hollow Road, Siler, Kentucky.
Flossie’s life was a beautiful journey that touched many hearts. We invite you to share your cherished memories and pictures of Flossie on her memorial page. Your stories and tributes will serve as a testament to the incredible life she led and the wonderful person she was.
Croley Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Baptist Health Corbin names interim president after departure of Anthony Powers

Anthony Powers

Baptist Health Corbin is saying “goodbye” to President Anthony Powers, and a new interim president has been appointed to fill his job duties for the foreseeable future. (more…)

London man indicted on murder charge in fatal Nov. 2023 crash

A London man has been indicted by a Laurel County grand jury on multiple charges, including murder, in connection to a fatal November 2023 crash.

I-75 widening near Corbin included in 2024 Recommended Highway Plan

The widening of I-75 to six lanes between Corbin exits is one of the featured projects in Gov. Andy Beshear’s 2024 Recommended Highway Plan, which is more commonly known to some as the state’s six-year road plan.