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Corbin Times-Tribune - 6.9.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: Now we turn to the reading of the Times Tribune
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for news in Corbin, Laurel, Whitley and Knox Counties. Your
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reader today is Janice. As a reminder, radio is a
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reading service intended for people who are blind or have
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all the disabilities that make it difficult to read printed material.
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We'll begin with the E edition dated Thursday, June fourth,
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twenty twenty six. Our first article is Whitley County EMS
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Morn's loss of Director Amanda Jackson by Macy Swafford, Whitley County.
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Whitley County EMS is mourning the loss of its director,
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Amanda Jackson, whose death was announced this week following the
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year's long battle with cancer. In a statement shared by
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Whitley County EMS, the agency described Jackson as a dedicated
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leader whose impact extended far beyond emergency medical services. It
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is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share
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the passing of our beloved Director, Amanda Jackson. The Agency
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road Cancer is a relentless thief, but true to who
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she was, Amanda fault with every ounce of her being
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until the very end. The statement highlighted Jackson. Jackson's years
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of service to both the Ambulance service and the community,
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noting her strength, resilience, and commitment to those she worked alongside.
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Whitley County EMS described Jackson as more than a director,
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calling her a member of their family. Her compassion for
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employees and unwavering dedication to the community was outlined as
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the many qualities that left a lasting impact throughout her career.
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Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White Junior also reflected on
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Jackson's passing and legacy she leaves behind. It's really that
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we've lost Amanda, he said. She was a great lady.
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She really poured her heart and soul into the ambling
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service in the community over the years, and she's going
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to be sorely missed. The agency asked, Jackson's passing has
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left a tremendous void among staff members and those who
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work closely with her throughout her career. This loss has
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rocked us to our core, the statements read. Jackson died
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Monday at the age of forty four. Funeral services were
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held Wednesday at the Heart Funeral Home. Whitley County em
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asked asked the community to keep Jackson's husband, Chad, their children,
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and extended family in their thoughts and prayer prayers during
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this difficult time. Our next article is Burger Week returns
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to Corbin June eighth through the thirteenth by Macy Swafford.
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Get your taste buds ready because week is s sizzling
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back into KORbin next week. From peanut butter top burgers
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and bourbon glaze creations to burger inspired pizza and Korean
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inspired flavors, local restaurants across the city are preparing to
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compete for the title of the Corbyn's Favorite Burger during
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annual Burger Weeks celebration hosted by the Corbin Tourism Convention Commission.
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Burger Week twenty twenty six will take place June eighth
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through the thirteenth at participating restaurants throughout Corbin. The week
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long event encourages residents and visitors alike to sample specialty
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menu items created exclusively for the competition before casting their
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vote for the winner. Voting opens at ten am on Wednesday,
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June tenth and remains open through midnight on Saturday, June thirteenth.
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The winning burger will be announced Monday, June fifteenth. Vote
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information we'll be shared through Corbin's Tourism Facebook page and
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Burger Week event page. The competitors are Elvis Berger at
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the Wrigley tap Room in Eatery Bourbon Street, Beast at
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Old Town Grill, Kentucky Beer, Cheeseburger, Bacon Burger, Pizza at Opalla, Pizza,
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blt Smashburger at Seasons Restaurant, Cheeseburger, Nachose at eminem Rooftop Garden,
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Stinging Honeyburger, rap at Depot All Maine, Van Chan Burger
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at Folktail Coffee in bake House, The Hulk at the
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Social Pub at Cinema Social Corbin Tourism encourages participants to
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spend the week exploring local restaurants, trying new flavors, and
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supporting area businesses while helping decide which creation will earn
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bragging rights as Corbyn's Usburger of twenty twenty six. Our
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next article is Corby man arrested on Illinois child pornography
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warrant by Macy Swofford. A Corba man has been arrested
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on an Illinois fugitive warrant after an investigation involving the
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Knox County Sheriff's Office at the Mollen Police, Illinois Police Department.
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According to a press release from the Knox County Sheriff's Department,
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deputies have been assisting molen Police Department detectives in an
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investigation involving reported child pornography offenses. The Sheriff's office stated
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that Knox County deputies assisted investigators by conducting interviews, executing
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the search warrant, securing evidence, and forwarding evidence to authorities
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in Illinois. As part of the ongoing investigation. Following the
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review of the evidence, Moleen Police detectives obtain a fugitive
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warrant through Rock Island County, Illinois, charging eighteen year old
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Cameron Adams of Corbin with ten counts related to child pornography.
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Authorities said. Knox County deputies arrested Adams last Thursday, May
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twenty eighth on the Illinois fugitive warrant. He was launched
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in the Knox County Detention Center to await extradition to
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Rock County Island, Illinois. As of press time Wednesday afternoon,
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Adams remains listed with the k c DC. The investigation
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remains ongoing. Our next article is carving up the competition.
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Local wood carver advances to top ten of Johnny Depp's
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National Art Competition by Anela James Corbyn. What started with
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a wooden spoon brought from home brought home from a
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school has grown into a passion that has placed local
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artist Brian Davidson among the top five finalists in his
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division of a national competition presented by an entertainment Icon. Davidson,
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owner of Bluegrass Carving, is currently competing in the Johnny
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Depp Presents the People Artists Contest, a nationwide competition decided
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through the public voting online. With only two rounds remaining,
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he is hoping the local community will help him advance
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to the next level. I never thought I'd make it
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this far, Davidson said. Davidson specializes in chainsaw carving and
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wood carving, creating detailed works that often feature animals, particularly
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sea turtles. Although he has only been carving for about
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three or four years, his work has attracted attention both
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locally and nationally. His interest in woodworking begins when his
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son came home from school one day with a wooden
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spoon he had made. The project sparked Davidson's curiosity and
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inspired him to learn more about the craft. He also
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credits watching carving videos by Jeordie Johnson on YouTube with
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helping him develop his skills. For Davidson, woodworking is more
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than just creating art. My favorite thing about it is
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being able to zone in, he said, is comforting. He
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explained that he has always enjoyed creative work and previously
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worked in construction, making carving a natural fit. The competition's
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grand prize includes twenty five thousand dollars and the opportunity
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to have artwork displayed at the Art of Alisom Museum.
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Davidson said the organization's mission is especially meaningful to him
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because it supports individuals in recovery. A recovering addict himself,
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David's has been sober for twenty years. He credits meeting
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his wife and starting the family with helping him turn
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his life around. Today, he uses his artistic talents not
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only to create unique carvings, but also to support causes
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throughout the region. Davidson regularly donates pieces to fundraising auctions
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in Whitley and Knox Counties, including events benefiting Humane Society Gala.
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Originally from Riverside, California, Davidson has become a familiar face
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in the local arts community through his work and charitable contributions.
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Now with a chance to move one step closer to
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the competition's top prize, Davidson is encouraging community members to
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cast their votes and help him advance. Voting for Davidson
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in the People's Artist Contest is available online at people
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Artists dot org. As of Tuesday, he ranks second among
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his group, with voting for the competition's top five artists
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ending Thursday night at ten pm Eastern daylight time. With
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the remaining round of voting will determine winners. Visit forward
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slash People Artists dot Org Forward Slash twenty twenty six
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Forward Slash Brian Dash Davidson Dash two. The number two
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two the word learn more. And here is a picture
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of something and it's underneath it says a marine carving
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much like this one is featured with Brian davidson profile
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on the contest website. There's a sea turtle on top
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of a fish. I think that's what that was. And
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the next one is a picture of a turkey and
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underneath it says a turkey carving by Brian Davidson. And
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the last one is an eagle with standing of tall
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and it has a representation of the flag in feathers,
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and it says Davidson added some color to this patriotic eagle.
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Our next article is Laurel Whitley among counties approved for
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FEMA A by Macy Swafford Frankfurt. Eighteen Kentucky counties, including
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Laurel Whitley, Clay, Jackson, and Pulaski, have been approved for
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federal public assistance funding following the severe winter storm that
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impacted the commonwealth January twenty third through the twenty seventh.
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The approval comes after President Donald Trump and the Federal
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Emergency Management Agency FEMA granted Governor Andy Bursheer's requests for
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a Major Disaster declaration. According to Kentucky Emergency Management, the
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storm resulted in more than fifteen million dollars in costs
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related to debris removal, emergency response efforts, in the repair
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or rebuilding of damaged public facilities. The THEMA Public Assistance
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Program under the declaration d R DASH forty nine thirteen
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dash KWY has been approved for Allen Baron, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Jackson,
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Laurel Lee, mccrarie, Menafee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Owsley, Pulaski, rock Castle,
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Russell Wayne and Whitley Counties. Public assistant funding helps local
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governments in certain non profit organizations recover costs associated with
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emergency protective measures, debris removal, and repairs to public infrastructure
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damage during a federally declared disaster. The January winter storm
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brought heavy snow, ice accumulation, and dangerously cold temperatures across
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much of Kentucky, creating hazardous travel conditions, widespread power adages,
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and extensive recovery efforts. State officials reported the storm contributed
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to significant infrastructure and response calls throughout the affected region.
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This is critical support that will help Kentuckians recover and rebuild,
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said Governor Andy Basher in a statement on social media
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this past Sunday. Kentucky Emergency Management announced the approval in
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an update post on Monday, noting that the federal assistance
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will help communities continue recovery efforts months after the winter
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storm impacted the commonwealth. Our next article is Community Choir
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seeks Singers for America sings by Macy Swofford Corbyn. As
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the nation prepares to celebrate its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary.
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Local choir director and composer Nick Hibbard is inviting singers
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from across the region to join a community chorus for
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a special patriotic concert later this month. The event, titled
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America Sings, will be Saturday, June twenty seventh at seven
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pm at the Central Baptist Church in Corbyn and is
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designed to honor two hundred and fifty years of American history, freedom,
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faith and unity through music. Hibbert, director of the choirs
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at Corbyn High School, said the project is about more
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than celebrating historic milestone. For me personally, this felt extremely
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important because this is an important milestone in our history,
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but also it feels like as Americans we are very
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divided right now. Hibberd said, I feel like a big
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problem today is that people don't sing together anymore. Choirs
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are one of the last places people come together and
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listen to each other for the purpose of creating something meaningful.
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The Community Choir is open to experienced singers, former choir members,
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church singers, music educators, students, and other community members. No
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audition is required. Hibbert said he hopes the event will
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bring together a large and diverse group of voices from
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throughout the region. I would love to have over one
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hundred singers, he said, In addition to directing choirs at
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Corbett High School, Hibbert is a published composer and a
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doctoral student at Liberty University. Rehearsals will be held at
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seven pm on June fourth, ninth, eleventh, sixteenth, eighteenth, twenty third,
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twenty fifth, and twenty six with final rehearsal scheduled for
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four point thirty pm on June twenty seventh before the
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evening performance. The concert is intended to serve as a
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community wide celebration of America's semi quincentennial and a reminder
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of the power of music to bring people together. Those
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interested in participating can register through the online sign up
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shared by Hibbitt on his Facebook page. Our next article
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is Mountain View Pace to hold Funfest Without Limits community
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event by Amya James Corbett. The community is invited to
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take part in a day of fun, fellowship and inclusion
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as Mountain View Pace hosts its fun Fest Without Limits
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on Thursday, June twenty fifth from ten am at its
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facility located at fourteen eighty nine to two US Highway
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twenty five East North in Corbett. Designed to bring together
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their seniors, individuals with disabilities, local businesses, and community organization.
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The event aims to celebrate inclusion while providing a welcoming
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environment for participants of all abilities. According to organizers, fun
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Fast without Limits will feature an oversized games, activities, and
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opportunities for the for community engagement. Lunch consisting of hot
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dogs and chips will be provided for all attendees. Mountain
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View Pace is currently seeking community patrons or partners, pardoning partners, vendors,
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and local businesses to participate in the event. Organizers encourage
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businesses and organizations to set up a ten x ten
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foot ten or table and offer an oversized game or
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an easy activity for attendees to enjoy. The event reflects
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mountain View us pace mission of helping seniors live at
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home while fostering connections throughout the community. Promotional materials describe
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the gathering as an inclusive, disability friendly event focused on
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bringing people together and celebrating everyone. Those interested in participating
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as a community partner or vendor are as to RSVP
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by contacting Shannon Philpop Philpo Meals at six oh six
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six to two zero eighty one ninety one, or by
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email at Shannon dot Philpo at mountainviewpace dot com. Our
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next article is Whitley, Pardoning Whitley Fiscal Court meets for
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May meeting. Williamsburg Whitley County Fiscal Court unanimously approved a
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series of resolutions, agreements, and funding measures during the US
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its May nineteenth meeting, with its officials highlighting concerns over
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declining road aid funding, emergency management reimbursements, and employee insurance costs.
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One of the major items approved was Resolution twenty twenty
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six dash O two, an agreement between Fiscal Court and
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the Commonwealth of Kentucky regarding FY twenty twenty seven County
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Road Aid Cooperative Agreement. Officials noted that County road aid
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funding is significantly lower than in previous years, despite increasing
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fuel prices. Judge Judge Executive Pat White Junior explained that
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while gas prices have risen, the government has frozen gas prices,
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limiting the amount of funding local governments received from road
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maintenance and infrastructure projects. White said the county is faced
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a two hundred and fifty three thousand dollars reduction in
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funding this year, adding that it will place a bit
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of pressure on road funds going forward, but this is
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what we've got. Magistrates also approved a contract between Fiscal
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Court and the Commonwealth of Kentucky pertaining to FY twenty
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twenty five EMA program funds. Emergency Management Director Jerry Rain
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said the funding comes through FEMA and supports the co
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County's emergency management program. Rains noted the grant operates on
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a two year cycle and is already running about a
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year behind schedule. Although FEMA reimbursements have not yet been received,
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Rain said Governor Andysheer has pledged that the state's general
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fund will cover the amount until FEMA reimburses the state.
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Proved amount totaled thirty eight thousand, three hundred eighty nine
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dollars in eighty four cents after corrections increased the original
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funding figure. The Court also approved an interlocal cooperative agreement
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between Whitley County Fiscal Court and Cumberland Valley Workforce Development Area.
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White said the county has participated in the workforce development
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for several years and that he has served as the
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region's chief local elected official for roughly the past year
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and a half to two years. Programs connected with this
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organization include training initiatives at the jail, including corporal training,
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as well as job fairs held in Corbyn area. Another
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major topic involved employee insurance coverage for the fiscal year
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to twenty six through twenty twenty seven. Magistrates approved health,
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life and dental insurance options after discussing whether to renew
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the county's current plan with Anthem pardon me or to
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move to an ultimate plan that would provide an estimated
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sixty three thousand dollars in savings. White said there were
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very few differences between the two plans and esteemed that
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way over ninety percent of employees would not be affected
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by the change. Under the proposal, employees could still purchase
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coverage comparable to the original plan for an estimated cost
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of about twenty one dollars and fifty cents per pay period.
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White also suggested the county could potentially use some of
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the savings to provide employees with a small raise while
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still maintaining current benefits. Fiscal Court additionally approved the twenty
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twenty six twenty twenty seven budget for the Whitley County
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Tourism Board. County Treasurer Nicholas Simpson and Construction said construction
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on a new county park is expected to be completed
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by men to late twenty twenty seven. Tourism funds also
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support community events including the County Fair, the Music and
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Mud Festival, and other activities throughout the county during this
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month Pardon me. During his monthly report, Rains described April
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as a pretty average month, though he noted emergency officials
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did respond to significant incident on Interstate seventy five that
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shut down southbound traffic near Exit eleven for approximately five
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to six hours. Rains also reported that the emergency management
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handle twenty eight missing person cases cases during April eight
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n said May is already on pace to surpass that number.
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As of April thirtieth, officials have documented a total of
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sixty one missing person cases for the year, with one
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individual still missing at the end of the month. Rains
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later added that the total has now climbed to ninety
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one missing persons cases involving both Laurel and Whitley Counties.
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He said officials are beginning to notice patterns involving foster
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children among reports. Our next article is Corbyn Students Place
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and sponsored National Garden Club Contest cemented by Lee Parks Corbyn,
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the US Department of Agriculture for Service and the National
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Gardens Clubs Incorporated gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their
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understanding of wildfire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles through
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original drawings of Smoky Bear or woodz Owl. For more
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than fifty years, children in the first through fifth grades
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have put crayon to paper, using their imagination to help
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convey Smokey Bear's message of only you can prevent forest
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fires and woodsy Owl's message of lend a hand care
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for the land. The contest is sponsored by the National
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Garden Clubs, whose members host, evaluate, and select the top
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winners in each grade category. From those grade level winners,
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for service, employees help select the grand prize winner, who
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along with his or her family, receives airfare and accommodations
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for a trip to the nation's capital. Rewards received were
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third grade g c KY first place, Matthias Jackson, third
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grade South Atlantic Region fourth place, Matthias Jackson, fifth grade
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c I mean g CKY first place, Madland White, fifth
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grade South Atlantic Region fifth place, Madland Ye. The Corbyn
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Garden Club extends congratulations to Matthias and Madland for winning
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these awards. The club also thanks art teachers Andrew Johnson,
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Corbin Elementary School and Tracy Bird Corbin Primary School for
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their efforts in presenting this conservation program to their students,
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and their generosity in cooperating with the Cordon Pardon me
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cooperating with the Corbyn Garden Club each year on this project.
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Our next article is Presentation at African American Heritage Center
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Examines Examines Corbyn's Expulsions by Amya James London. Community members
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gathered at the Laurel County African Americans Heritage Center on
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Saturday to learn more about the nineteen nineteen Corbin Expulsion
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and how the legal system responded to one of its
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most significant acts of racial violence in Kentucky history. The presentation,
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hosted through the University of Kentucky's Appalachian Center and the
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Sun Up Initiative, featured remarks from doctor Katherine Long, director
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of the Appalachian Center, Doctor Austin Zinkel of the Civil
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Rights and Restorative Justice in Kentucky Project, and a research
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presentation by recent law graduate Claire Gasler. Long welcomed to
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attendees and highlighted the ongoing work of the Sun Up Initiative,
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a community organization formed to encourage constructive conversations about race
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and local history. The Sun Up initiative was started in
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the late twenty eighteen. Long said, we had a lot
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of events around the one hundred year commemorative of the
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corbon expulsion that happened in nineteen nineteen, and we've continued
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to do different activities to learn more about what happened,
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promote diverse voices, and encourage constructive conversations about race in
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the community. This concludes the reading of the Times Tribune.
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Please stay tuned for continued programming. Thank you for joining
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me and on behalf of everyone here at RADIOI missus Janice,
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wishing you a very good day.