Latest / Eastern Kentucky Newspapers / Corbin Times-Tribune - 5.19.26

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Corbin Times-Tribune - 5.19.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: Now we turn to the reading of the time tribunes
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from news in Corbyn, Laurel, Whitley and Knox Counties your
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reader today's Janice. As a reminder, RADIOI is reading service
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intended for people who are blind or have other disabilities
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that make it difficult to read printed material. Will begin
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with the E edition dated Thursday May fourteenth, twenty twenty six,
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and our first article is local Legislators highlight upcoming projects
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economic growth at sky Chamber Breakfast by Macy Swafford Corbyn.
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The Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce hosted a Legislative Update
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Breakfast on Tuesday, featuring Senate President Robert Stiver's and state
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Representatives Nick Wilson and Tom O'Dell Smith, who discussed the
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infrastructure and projects and economic development efforts from the recent
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General Assembly session. Wilson highlighted several projects included in the
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state budget, including design funding for improvements at the intersection
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near Whitley County Schools where Kentucky twenty six meets US
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twenty five, as well as work planned near Angel Road
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on US twenty five. We got a million and a
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half there for designs so we can get a plan
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together to try to fix that spot, Representative Wilson set
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of the school intersection, it's very dangerous. School buses go
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over there every day. Wilson also discussed the newly created
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Local Assistance Program or LAARP, which he said will bring
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nearly three million dollars in county road funding to Whitley County,
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the highest amount allocated to any county in the state.
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Additional projects Wilson discussed included funding tied to the Whitley
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County Jail renovation, a Williamsburg water tank replacement project, proposed
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innovative Innovation Hub partnership involving local schools and the University
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of the Cumberlands, and future expansion possibilities at the Whitley
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County Airport are dangerous, pardon me. Representative Wilson also highlighted
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several bills he sponsored during the session, including House Bill
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eighth five, which creates criminal penalties tied to child in
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gestation cases involving drugs or dangerous substances. We've seen around
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the state, just terrible accidents where children are honestly, in
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some cases dying or nearly dying. Wilson said the bill's
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intent is to increase accountability and protect child welfare, as
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explained by Wilson. Representative Smith focused much of his remarks
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on transportation funding, workforce development, and energy policy. He discussed
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House Build on which allows taxpayers to direct up to
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one thousand, seven hundred dollars in federal tax credits toward
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participating schools and actually gives us the ability to help
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our kids in education. Smith also raise concerns over declining
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road funding revenue for local governments, saying rising calls for
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asphalt and fuel continue to strain transportation budgets. We deserve
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our counties and our cities deserve good roads, Smith said.
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He additionally stressed the importance of vocational and trade education,
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saying more students should be guided toward workforce opportunities earlier
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in school. I believe when you go into the seventh, eighth,
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and ninth grade, they need to be identified on what
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direction they're going in life. Smith said. Senator Steiver's focused
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heavily on statewide economic development in Kentucky's financial outlook, noting
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the state is projected to finish the fiscal year with
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the budget surplus while continuing to lower income taxes. As
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of yesterday, after ten months, we're going to finish this
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year with a two hundred million dollars surplus, Stivers says.
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Senator Steivers discussed infrastructure investments across the region, including interstate improvements,
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industrial development projects, funding connected connected to the London Corbon
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Airport following tornado damage, and long term expansion possibilities tied
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to the Whitley County Airport. The only airport in the
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area that has the ability to expand happens to be
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the one that's here in Whitley County, Steivers said. The
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Senate President also spoke about Kentucky's growing film industry and
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potential future data center development in southeastern Kentucky, saying the
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region's existing electric grid infrastructure makes it attractive for future investment.
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Corbin and other places around here are really ideal spots
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for data centers because we have the infrastructure grid here,
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Steivers said. Audience members also raised questions regarding workforce development,
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trade education, and recent concerns surrounding rare pediatric cancer cases
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reported in the Tri County area. In response to concerns
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raised during the breakfast about several recent pediatric cancer cases
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reported in the Tri County area, Senate President Robert Steivers
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said he was not aware of any connection between data
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centers and cancer concerns, while also acknowledging he was not
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a medical expert. Stevers explained the data centers primarily operate
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through electricity usage in cooling systems, describing them as advanced computers.
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He said the cooling water used at data centers does
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not directly interact with the computer chips themselves, but is
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instead used to regulate temperature as a system's process information.
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I don't know anything in that process of a data
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center that would create that type of ariss, Stuyvers said.
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He also noted that the facilities are quieter than some
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cryptocurrency mining operations and said he was unaware of any
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environmental concerns tied to their operation that would relate to
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cancer cases. The next Southern Kentucky Chamber Lunch in this
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schedule for Tuesday, June ninth, at the Corbyn Center. Our
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next article is Corbyn School Board hears concerns from wrestling
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parents by Macy Swafford. Corbyn parents and supporters of the
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Corbyn wrestling program voice concerns overfunding, facilities and overall support
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during a special called meeting of the Corbon Independent Board
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of Education last Thursday, urging district leaders to provide what
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they described as fair treatment for student and athletes involved
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in the sport. Several parents addressed the board during the meeting,
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sharing concerns ranging from practice spaces and facility access to
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what they felt was a lack of recognition and respect
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for the rapidly growing program. While many speakers acknowledged support
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from some school officials and coaches, they said the additional
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attention and resources were needed for the wrestling team to
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continue growing. Felicia Fifield, whose son has been a part
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of the wrestling team for the past two years, told
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the board the concerns were not about asking for special treatment,
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but instead about fairness, respect, and providing student athletes with
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the support they deserve. Fifield said the wrestling program had
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produced regional and state level success despite what she described
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as the fear underfunding. She expressed concerns about the size
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of a new wrestling practice area being developed, stating the
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room would reportedly only accommodate half of a wrestling mat
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despite the team having more than forty athletes. She also
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referenced incidents involving the shared practice space in the field house,
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including one occasion where wrestling mats were reportedly moved outside
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to accommodate football related activities. Filefield noted that the mats
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had been purchased through donations rather than district funds. In addition,
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Filefield said she previously raised concerns with the athletic director,
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tack At Wilson, but felt the response was dismissive. Whether
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or not football generates revenue, that should not determine whether
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or not other student athletes are treated with dignity andareness.
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Fifhil said every athlete deserves safe facilities, proper equipment, and
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the feeling that their hard work matters. Parents. Scott gree
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we also address the board, praising the wrestling program's accomplishments
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and emphasizing the positive impact it has had on student athletes.
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He noted the team has steadily improved over its first
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five years, including top five finishes in the state dual
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competition and multiple state placers this season. The coaches are
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not only developing strong athletes, they're raising respectful, hard working,
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humble and tough young men and women who become leaders
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in our community, gree Wee said. Green Wee said he
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hopes the program receives the same level a community support
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traditionally associated with other corbon athletes. April Garrison, whose son
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will be a senior next season, spoke emotion lee about
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the impact wrestling has had on her son and family.
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She detailed instances where practices were interrupted or relocated, including
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one situation where parents were allegedly asked to move wrestling
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mats so football team meals could be set up. She
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also said there were occasions when wrestlers were unable to
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access the fieldhouse because football players belongings had been left inside.
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Garrison credited the wrestling program in coaches with helping transform
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her son's life, saying the sport gave him confidence and
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purpose during a difficult period. She shared that her son
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has already received a college wrestling scholarship offer as a junior.
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Wrestling truly builds a bond that cannot be broken, Garrison said,
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it's not just a season. Board member and assistant coach
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Football coach David Hannah responded to some of the concerns
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during the meeting and apologized for the miscommunication between the
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wrestling team and football team. When I got over there,
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I went to apologize. Hannah said, that's never going to
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happen again. Hannah also addressed concerns about wrestlers being locked
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out of practice space, saying steps would be taken to
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prevent future issues. He added that many successful football players
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he had known also wrestled, calling the sport valuable for
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developing athletes. Board member Paul Taylor thanked the parents for
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speaking and reiterated the board's commitment to supporting all student activities,
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including athletics and the arts. We want something for all
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the kids, Taylor said. Superintendent Travis Wilder said the district
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is open to further discussion and plans to meet with
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the wrestling parents to further discuss what the district can
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do in a one on one setting. Wilder noted that
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the district has invested more than one hundred thousand dollars
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into an area where the wrestling team can have their
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own practice area, including new padding, bathrooms, and a coaching office.
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He also referenced previous district expenditures on wrestling equipment, mats,
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and uniforms dating back to twenty twenty one. I've learned
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over the years that ninety nine percent of the problems
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can be taken care of through communication, getting people around
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the table, Wilder said. A meeting with the team parents
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and Superintendent Wilder is expected to be scheduled soon. Board
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members continue to thank the parents for the speaking during
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the meeting, emphasizing the importance of providing students with programs
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like wrestling that not only match their interest, but also
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help them develop personally and build confidence. And there is
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a picture of Felicia Fifield, mother of student wrestler, voices
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her consul learn of the lack of resources and essentials
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made available to the team. Our next article is Commissioners
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approve transfer of Corbin Center project funds by Maisie Swafford Corbyn.
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During a special call meeting held last Wednesday, the City
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of Corbyn Board of Commissioners approved the transfer of funds
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tied to the ongoing the Corbyn Center expansion project. Absent
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from the meeting where Mayor Susy Ramas and Commissioner Brandon Shepherd.
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Following the approval of the minutes from the April twentieth
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regular meeting, commissioners discussed the Corbyn Center Special Project Certificate.
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Oh pardon me, the certificate of deposit currently held at
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Cumberland Valley National Park. Speaking during the meeting, Corbin Economic
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Development Director Bruce Carpenter recommended that the city move forward
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with cashing out the certificate of deposit and transferring the
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funds into the project account as construction progresses. Carpenter told
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commissioners the total budget for the Corbon Center project stands
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at approximately five point thirty seven million dollars. According to
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figures he provided during the meeting, the city has already
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paid out roughly two point sixty nine million dollars, leaving
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the remaining balance of two million point sixty eight million dollars.
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He noted the certificate of deposit totals of three point
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five million and was structured so the city could access
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the funds at any time without penalty, and we were
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able to set that up where you all were able
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to cash in any point in time, Carpenter said, So
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my recommendation would be to put that over into the
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project account itself. Carpenter also discussed plan improvements to the
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existing Corbon Center building, which he described as outdated after
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more than two decades of use. Really dated and needs
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some dated upwork, Carpenter said, noting that the proposed upgrades
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include exterior improvements, cleaning of the building, and other renovations.
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Commissioners also discuss the project's progress and upcoming expenses tied
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to the construction. Carpenter estimated the work is nearing in
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the halfway point. Officials further noted that the certificate of
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deposit matures at the end of the month, and Carpenter
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advised the city to begin the withdrawal process early since
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the agreement allows the funds to be removed without penalty.
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We're still going to get a pretty good interest rate
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on this checking account, Carpenter said, adding that the account
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has generated roughly six to seven thousand monthly in interest.
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Commissioners unanimously approve the motion to cash out certificates of
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deposit and transfer the funds into the Corbyn Center Special
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Project Account. Following the vote, the board entered into an
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executive session to discuss personnel matters. After returning to the
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open session, commissioners reported that no formal action has been taken.
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Our next article is KSP asking Public's help locating Williamsburg
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man by Macy Swafford, Somerset. Kentucky State Police Post eleven
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in London is asking for the public's help in locating
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a missing Williamsburg man staying in Pulaski County. According to
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a release from Trooper Scottie Pennington, Stephen C. Barnett, forty four,
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was last known to be stayed somewhere in Pulaski County
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at an unknown location. Authorities said Barnett maybe driving the
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maroon two thousand and two Chevrolet pickup truck with a
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Kentucky license plate reading M eight D seven one three.
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An updated release noted that there was no known direction
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of travel for the vehicle. Police describe Barrett as a
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white male, standing approximately five feet nine inches tall, weighing
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around two hundred and forty pounds. He is described as
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having short, balding brown hair. The investigation is being led
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by Trooper Adam Childress. Anyone with information regarding Barrett's whereabouts
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is urged to contact Kentucky State Police Post eleven in
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London at six oh six eight seven eight sixty six
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twenty two. Our next article is human trafficking Charges added
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in SLHS teacher exploitation case by Macy Swafford Barberville and
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additional charges have been filed against two individuals previously arrested
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in connection with an ongoing child exploitation investigation. According to
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new Kentucky State Police press releases, issued Last Thursday, the
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Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch announced the Bradley Kyle Yager,
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thirty five of Hedrick, and Rachel Baker, twenty two of Bimble,
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are now facing multiple human trafficking related charges connected to
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the investigation. According to KSP, Yager was arrested May fifth
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at eight thirty three pm following an undercover Internet crimes
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against children investigation. State police said the Barberville Police Department
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began the investigation after discovering the suspect allegedly sharing images
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of child sexual exploitation online and making the initial arrest.
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Authorities later requested assistance from the Kentucky State Police Electronic
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Crime Branch in identifying multiple possible victims in several counties
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and potentially other states. KSP stated Yager is now char
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is now charges with two counts of prom voting human
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trafficking under eighteen years of old and fourteen counts of
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promoting sexual performance by a minor under eighteen years old.
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The charges are classic felonies punishable by five to ten
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years in prison. He remains launched in the Knox County
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Detention Center. Baker was also arrested May fifth at four
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twenty five PM as part of the same investigation. According
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to KSP, authorities said, she is charged with two counts
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of promoting human trafficking, human trafficking under eighteen years old,
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and four counts of promoting a sexual performance by a
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minor under eighteen years old. She was launched in the
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Knox County Detention Center. The new charges following earlier investigation
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detailed by Barbaraville Police Department and Laurel County Public Schools
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involving allegations that explicit images and videos of a minor
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were exchanged. In a previous statement, Laurel County Public Schools
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confirmed Yager was employed as a teacher at South Laurel
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High School and had been suspended pending the outcome of
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the investigation. School officials stated student safety remains their top
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priority and that the allegations of misconduct are addressed immediately.
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According to previous court records, Baker allegedly contacted Barberville police
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and reported that Yaeger paid her for images and videos
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involving herself and the child. KSP said equipment allegedly used
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to facilitate the crimes was seized and taken to the
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KSP Forensic laboratory for examination. Authorities noted the investigation remains
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ongoing and additional charges are expected. Our next article is
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public health officials are investigating rare cancer cases in eastern
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Kentucky children. Sarah Ladd, the Kentucky Department for Public Health
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is investigating of reports of an unusual high number of
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brain tumors diagnosed in eastern Kentucky children. Beth Fisher, a
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spokeswoman with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services,
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told The Lantern that the state is aware of the
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reports concerning a potential increase in pediatric brain tumors. It
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is unclear how many cases are under investigation in that area.
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Several public social media posts indicate four to five recent
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cases of duffuse eccentric potaine g looma DPG within a
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small area of southeastern Kentucky. DIPG is a rare and
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incurable cancer mainly found in children around ages six and seven.
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Patients who DIPG may have trouble walking, weakness or drooping
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in the face, blurred vision and other eye problems, and
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other issues. Survival of two years is about ten percent
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according to the DIPG dot Org and two percent at
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five years. Kentucky has to forty four total participants in
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the International DIPG Registry, which represents both self referrals and
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referrals from physicians. ZIP code and county breakdown for those
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forty four was not available. DIPG is quite rare, according
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to Saint Jude's Research Hospital, with about two hundred three
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one hundred I'm sorry about two hundred million, three hundred
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cases usually diagnosed in the entire country each year. As
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of May one, there were eight hundred and ninety five
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cases registered in the United States. Both the state and
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national totals could be higher. With registry elective. Kentucky has
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one of the nation's highest worse rates of cancer. In
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twenty twenty five, more than ten thousand Kentuckians died from cancers.
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A petition on change dot org pleading for public health
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investigation into the cases in Eastern Kentucky a mass about
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three thousand, six hundred signatures in two weeks. The petition
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points to a higher than expected rate of DIPG cases
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in Eastern Kentucky and refers to the cases as possible clusters.
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Public health officials are still investigating if it can be
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characterized that way. There is not a set number that
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constitutes a cluster, Fisher said. The cabinet spokeswoman explained a
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cluster refers to an unusual number of cases that are
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closed together in time and location. The state health departments,
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she said, is working with the Kentucky Cancer Registered to
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examine geographic and temporal trends of DIPG. This includes a
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comparison of the expected number of cases versus the numbers
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observed over the past several years to determine if a
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cluster exists. According to the Whitley County Health Department, it
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and local health departments in Laurel and Knox County are
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collaborating with the state to evaluate cases of DIPG in
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our region and gather crucial information to determine if pediatric
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cancer rates are unusually high in our communities. Review transparency
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accountability public health officials local health departments in the Kentucky
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Cancer Center Registry are still working to verify the exact
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number diagnosed cases of diffuse in transit ponting guynoma GIPG
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among children in Southeast Kentucky. Fisher said, the change dot
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org but petition as for a review of transparency and
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accountability nothing more and nothing less. Lantern efforts to reach
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the organizer of that petition were not successful. We recognize
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that cancer clusters are complex and often difficult to interpret.
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We are not making assumptions about causation. However, the apparent
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concentration of cases warrants careful, transparent review by the appropriate
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public health authorities. The petition states in as state officials
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to conduct a formal epidemiological assessment of pediatric brain cancer
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cases in southeastern Kentucky, evaluate whether the observed cases exceed
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expected the incident rates, review any potential shared environmental or
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geographic factors, if appropriate, provide clear and timely communication to
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the public regarding the findings. Meanwhile, a gold Fundme page
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created on April seventeenth near Corbin for a family whose
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daughter was diagnosed with DIPG has already raised more than
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sixty six thousand dollars for medical expenses. L e X
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eighteen reported in February about another child from Laurel County
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with a diagnosis who was at that time defying expectations.
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The state Public Health Department, Fisher said, is committed to
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keeping the public informed and will continue working with the
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local health departments and other partner agencies to determine the
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next steps. No room to expand. Doctor Bruce waltz Holtz,
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a medical spokesman for the American Cancer Society, explained that
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many cancers in the breast or long for example, have
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room to expand before causing critical damage because of their
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positioning in the body. DIPG tumors, on the other hand,
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are in the area of the brainstell call ponds brainstem
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call ponds, which is a key part of the nervous system. Structurally,
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it's a bad area, Waltzholtz said. There's no room for
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something to expand there's also no actionability great treatment for this,
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he said. According to DIPG dot org, patients are often
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started on steroids, then radiation therapy, but chemotherapy doesn't help
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with survival. So it's a critical area and it's resistant
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to treatment. Waltzholtz said to have several cases in a
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small geographical area is a statistical blip. He said, some
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unknown thing is going on. There's no one calls for DIPG.
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People can have genetic predispositions that make them more likely
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to develop tumors, though TIPG is not considered a hereditary
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disease and then be exposed to something that we don't know,
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Waltsholt explained. The Cleveland Clinic says that unlike any other cancers,
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DIPG doesn't seem to be related to environmental risk factors
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like exposure to cigarette smoke or radiation. And this concludes
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the reading of the Times Tribune. Please stay tuned for
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continued programming. Thank you for joining me and on behalf
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of everyone here at RADIOI. This is Janice wishing you
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a very good day.