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Corbin Times-Tribune - 6.16.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: Now we turn to the reading of the time Tribunes
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for news in Corbyn, Laurel, Whitley and Knox Counties. Your
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reader today is Janice as a reminder Radio I as
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a reading service intended for people who are blind or
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have other disabilities that make it difficult to reprinted material.
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We'll begin with the e addition dated June the eleventh,
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twenty twenty six. Our first article is rock Holes Man
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dies in Whitley County house fire by Macy Swafford rock Holes.
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A rock Holes man died Tuesday following a house fire
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in central Whitley County community, according to the Kentucky State Police.
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Kentucky State Police Post eleven in London reported that troopers
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were notified by Whitley County nine one one on June
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ninth of a fatal residential fire on Highway five eleven.
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While firefighters were extincused extinguishing the blaze, they discovered the
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body of a deceased man inside the home. The victim
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was later identified as Eddie W Lester, seventy years old.
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According to State Police. Leicester was pronounced dead at the
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scene by the Whitley County Corner's Office. His body was
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removed from the residence and transported to the State Medical
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Examiner's Office for an autopsy. The investigation remains ongoing and
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is being led by the Kentucky State Police Detective Samuel
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Peace assisting at the scene, or personnel from Kentucky State Police,
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Whitley County EMS, Whitley County Corner's Office, the Kentucky State
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Fire Marshall's Office, and the rock Holes woodbind m Lynn
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In Corbyn Fire Departments. The case remains under investigation. Our
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next article is Community continues to support family of double
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murder suicide victims Nacy Swafford, Knox County as family members
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prepare to lay two young women to rest following last
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weekends tragic murder suicide in Laurel County. Community support continues
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to pour in through an online fundraiser established in their memory.
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As of Wednesday afternoon, the GoFundMe campaign titled Honoring Lilah
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and Jadens Together, organized by Aleiah Mills, has raised five thousand,
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one hundred seven dollars towards its twelve thousand dollars goal
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of reaching approximately forty three percent of its fundraising target.
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According to the fundraiser, donations will help support the families
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of Caira Lilah Hope Asher nineteen of Lily and Jaden's
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Anne Marie Hall eighteen of Flatleg with funeral expenses and
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other costs following the tragedy. The fundraiser was created after
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authorities reported that both young women were killed on Saturday
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during an incident that ended in a police pursuit from
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Knox County into Laurel County. Investigators have said twenty one
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year old James pretty A Bimble allegedly shot and killed
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Hale and Asher before taking his own life. Authorities reported
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that shortly before eleven pm Saturday, Knox County Dispatch received
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concerns from family members after the three individuals reportedly left
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the residence in Barberville to get something to eat. Law
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enforcement agencies were advised of a possible domestic violence situation
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involving the documents of a red Chevrolet Cobalt. According to
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the Barberville Police Chief, Adam Townsley, Patrolman Matthew Warren located
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the vehicle on Manchester Street and attempted a traffic stop.
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The vehicle allegedly fled north on US twenty seven twenty
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five east at a high rate of speed. Before continuing
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into Laurel County on Kentucky three twelve. During the pursuit, Barbaraville,
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officers attempted and authorized low speed box in maneuver to
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stop the vehicle. The chase ended on Kentucky three twelve
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in southern Laurel County after the vehicle struck another vehicle
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and came to a stop. When officers approached the car,
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they discovered all three occupants deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
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Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling identified the victims as Pretty
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Asher in Hall. Investigators say evidence indicates Pretty fatally shot
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Hell and Asher before turning the gun on himself. Funeral
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arrangements for both young women have also been a then
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ounced through Arnette and Still Funeral Home in Pineville. A
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joint visitation for Hale and Asher is scheduled for Saturday,
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June the thirteenth, from four pm until eight pm at
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Arnette and Still Funeral Home and Creation Cremation Center at
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one six South Cherry Street in Pineville. Funeral services for
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the two young women will be held on Sunday, June fourteenth,
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at the same location. Asher's funeral services scheduled to begin
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at eleven a m. By Hale's funeral service will begin
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at twelve thirty pm. Following the services, both will be
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laid to rest at Ketcham Cemetery at Bryant's Store. The
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fundraiser notes that the two young women were loved by
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many and ask community members to continue supporting their families
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as they navigate the difficult days ahead. Private funeral arrangements
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for pretty are being handled through through Knox's Funeral Home
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in Barberville. Barberville Mayor David Thompson also released this statement
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to social media on Tuesday. In light of the tragic
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events of this past weekend that took the lives of
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three young people, I want to encourage everyone to keep
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speculation and theories about what happened off of social media.
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With so many involved in this horrible situation, including not
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only the families of the three young people, but law
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enforcement and other responders and their families as well, we
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need to remember this tragedy has far reaching effects on
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a lot of people. I encourage families, especially parents and guardians,
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to pay close attention to your children and their circumstances
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and who they associate with. If something seems off or
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on Please seek help. For any form of suspicion of
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domestic violence, Please seek help. Our next article is Rogers
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seeks fund for Corbyn Center parking project by Macy Swafford Corbyn.
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A proposed parking garage adjacent to the Corbyn Center could
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receive federal support after US Congressman Hal Rogers included funding
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for the project among his fiscal twenty twenty seven community
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project funding requests submitted to the US House Appropriations Committee.
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According to information release last week by Rogers office, nearly
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eighty five million in community project funding request for southern
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and eastern Kentucky projects were approved by the House Appropriations Committee.
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The request include a project to construct a parking garage
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adjacent to the Corbyn Center, which city leaders say is
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needed to support future growth at the convention and event facility.
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Mayor Susie Ramis expressed appreciation for Rogers' efforts in helping
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move the project forward. We are so thankful to Congressman
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Rogers for helping to take advance to advance the vision
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of a parking garage adjacent to the Corbyn Center. With
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new expansion almost complete, we are expecting an increase in
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need for parking as we begin attracting larger conventions and
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trading shows. The funding co Congressman Rogers delivers for the
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fifth District is critical, as we fight together are our
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collective future. Raymus said. The proposed garage is intended to
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complement the ongoing expansion of the Corbyn Center, which local
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officials believe will position the facility to attract larger conventions,
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trade shows, and tourism related events. Community project funding requests,
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often referred to as Congressional earmarks, are submitted by members
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of Congress for projects they believe will benefit their districts.
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The request must still advance through the federal appropriations process
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before funding is finalized. Writers said the funding request are
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aimed at addressing infrastructure and economic development needs through Eastern Kentucky,
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supporting projects designed to strengthen communities and encourage future growth.
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If approved by Congress and signed into law, the parking
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garage project would provide additional parking capacity for visitors attending
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events at the Corbon Center and support the facility's continued
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expansion as a regional destination. The next article is Corbon
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Tourism see strong financial report approves new mission statement by
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Macy Swafford Corbin. The Corbon Tourism and Mentioned Commission approved
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a new mission statement, advanced its rebranding project, and reviewed
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strong financial reports. During its regular meeting Tuesday, Brian Gay
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CPA presented the commission's May financial report, noting that tourism
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remains in a healthy financial position. As of May thirty first,
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the Commission reported a one million, four hundred seventy four thousand,
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seven hundred seventeen dollars in cash on hand. Restaurant tax
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collections totaled one hundred sixty nine thousand, five hundred twelve
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dollars during the month, the third highest month total of
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the fiscal year, while transient room tax collections reached twenty
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eight thousand, nine hundred nine dollars, the second highest month
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of the year. Gay reported restaurant tax collections have reached
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one million, seven hundred fifty nine thousand, nine hundred sixty
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four dollars year to date, exceeding the budgeted one point
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six million by nearly one hundred and sixty thousand dollars.
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Transient room tax collections have totaled two hundred twenty eight thousand,
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seven hundred thirty six dollars, surpassing the annual budget of
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one hundred seventy thousand dollars by nearly fifty eight thousand,
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seven hundred thirty six dollars. The Commission also reported year
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to date net income of two hundred fifty eight thousand,
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one hundred twenty six dollars, a good year all around,
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Gay told the board. The report also noted expenditures associated
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with the recently completed Downtown Light Pole banner project, including
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seven thousand, eight hundred dollars for the banners and thirty
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six thousand, four hundred dollars for installation cost. Gay said
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the project remained within budget. The board also unanimously approved
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a new mission statement, following discussions that stem from recent
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strategic planning sessions. Chairperson Summer Jackson read the final version
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before the vogue. The newly adopted mission statement states that
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the Commission's purpose is to attract visitors and event planners
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by promoting Corbin as a welcoming destination for unique experiences, venues,
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and the Appalachian hospitality to strengthen the local economy. Board
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members said the statement reflects tourism role in attracting visitors,
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supporting local businesses, and showcasing Corbin's unique identity. The Commission
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also continued discussions of its rebranding initiative with McDaniel's marketing.
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Board members reviewed branding guidelines, logo usage, color palettes, and
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marketing assets before approving emotion to finalize branding package wants,
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a question regarding a specific shade of red is addressed.
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Board members expressed support for the overall branding package, but
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unanimously said they wanted to ensure a colored labeled as
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Corbon Bread accurately reflected the city's established colors before final approval.
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The board also tabled the first reading of its proposed
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fiscal year twenty twenty six twenty twenty seven budget after
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members requested some revisions and additional cost projections. The budget
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will be brought back for further review and consideration at
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a future meeting. In other business, the Commission approved one thousand,
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five hundred dollars sponsorship requests for Corbin Cohn, a semi
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annual pop culture and gaming convention held at the Corbyn
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Civic Center that will be moving to the Corbyn Arena
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for its next event. Officials noted that the event has
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experienced significant growth in recently reported attendance of approximately two
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thousand five hundred people. The board also approved a five
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thousand dollars sponsorship request for the sore's Summit funding coming
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from the next budget cycle. The Commissioner's next meeting is
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scheduled for July the twenty first. Our next article is
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filing Deadline for non partisan candidate passes by Anya James
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tri County. With the passing of the filing deadline for
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non partisan candidates on June the second, the November general
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election ballots for Knox, Laurel, and Whitley Counties have begun
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to take shape. The election cycle will include races for
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county constitutional offices, city legislative bodies, school board physicians, and
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conservation district leadership, as well as Mitch McConnell's seat in
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the US Senate and federal congressional seats. Non Partisan candidates
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include for Knox County, Barbaraville City Council, Rex Howard Miller,
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Ronnie Moore, Wilma Barnes, Tyler Dunn, Mike Johnson, Jacob Rose,
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Chris Mookie Ross, Barbaraville Mayor David Thompson, Corbin City Commission
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Brandon Seth Shephard, Knox County Board of Education, District one
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Kevin Hinkle, Knox County Board of Education District two, Kay Powers,
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Barbaraville Board of Education, Chandler Smith, Brandy Taylor, Page Townsley,
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Jason Reeves, Benita Williams, Seoul and Water Conservation District Supervisor,
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Tommy Bargo, Cloys Hinkle, Charles Tricky, Willi Whitley County, Corbyn
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City Commission, John Baker, David Grisby, Hart, Allison Moore, James Gambrel,
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Walter Pennington Junior, Michael Vito, Corbyn Mayer, Susie Barton, Raymis
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Williamsburg City Council, Lauren Connell, Richard Foley, Glenn Hall, Erica
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boom Broome, Harris, Adam Troy Siler, Chelsea Carr, Tyree, Laura Jeffries,
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West Williamsburg Mayor Roger Roddy Harrison, Whitley County Board of
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Education District one, Kenny Carr, Whitley County Board of Education
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District two, Brenda S. Rose, Whitley County Board of Education
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District five, unexpired term, Gary L. Perkins, Williamsburg Independent Board
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of Education, John Harris, Margaret Meigh, Allison, Judd Kim Weems,
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Jason S. Nichols, Corbin Independent Board of Education, Carlisle Burchett,
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Paul Taylor, sel and Water Conservation District Supervisor Anne bays Owen,
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Glenn Crowley, Harold eliin Sha Pruitt. Election officials throughout southeastern
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Kentucky continue encouraging residents to verify voter registration information and
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remain informed about local races prior to election day. Laurel County.
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According to the information released by County Clerk Tony Brown's office,
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the drawing was conducted last Thursday at the Laurel County
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Courthouse to determine the order in which local candidates will
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appear on the ballot following the June second, non partisan
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following deadline. In the race for London Mayor, Challenger Matt
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Orr will appear first on on the ballot, followed by
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incumbent Mayor Randall Weddle. The two advanced from the May
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primary election and will face off in November. The drawing
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also established the ballot order for the London City Council race,
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where voters may select up to six candidates. The candidates
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will appear in the following order, John Bruner, Jamie D. Gibson,
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Matthew E. Allen Rock, sand Roberts, John S. Miller, Heather Dikes,
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Jim Nunneley, Patrick Taylor, Patrick Todd Taylor, Chase L. Carson,
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Wor K Gilbert, Shannon J. Binch, and Jim Baker. The
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six candidates receiving the highest number of votes in November
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will earn seats on the council. Local school board races
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were also included in the drawing, with no challengers and
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Laurel County Board of Education District one, current member Tony
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Karen Brule will appear on the ballid. In District three,
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Lisa Ceybert will appear on the ballot to replace Bryce Hicks,
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who is not running for re election. Voters must reside
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in the respective district to cast their ballot for either candidate.
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For East Burnstadt Independent School Board, where voters may select
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up to three candidates, the ballid order will be given
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to Laura Pate Williams, who was appointed after the passing
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of Tom Caudle, incumbent Tricia Stokes Mullins, and incumbent Jim Sutton.
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The drawing also determined valid placement for Soul and Water
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Conservation District Supervisor race. Candidates Charles K. Massey and Stephen
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Davis will appear on the November ballot. These candidates will
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join those who won their respective primaries last month, most
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pardon me, most of whom are running unopposed. Bearing the
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entry of a right end candidate. That deadline is August
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twenty fourth. However, in the fifth Congressional district race, Republican
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incumbent Hal Rodgers will not only face Democrat ned Bill
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Pillars Dwarf, but also independent challengers Mike Queen and Haraldo Serrano.
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Laurel Circuit judge Greg Lay also announced that he will
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be unopposed in his bid for Kentucky Court of Appeals
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judge for the third Appellate District Division two, after no
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candidate's file to run against him before the filing deadline. Lay,
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who has also served as a circuit judge for twenty
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two years in Laurel an Knox Counties, said he was
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humbled and blessed by the support he has received throughout
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the twenty five county Appellate district and expressed gratitude to
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the voters as he prepares to his new role following
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the November election. Our next article is Burger Week twenty
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twenty six to match Summer's scorching temperatures. The Corbin Tourism
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and Convention Commission is hoping everyone will wrap their fingers
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around the sizzling burgers being offered through Saturday. As part
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of Burger Week twenty twenty six. Eight restaurants are vying
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for the coveted People's Choice trophy. Try them all now.
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To vote for your favorite burger, visit the Corbin Tourism
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in Burger Week Facebook pages. Our first burger is the
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Regally tap Room in Eatery at two seven South Main
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Street in Corbin, Kentucky. The hours are Tuesday through Thursday
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from eleven am to nine pm, Friday from eleven am
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to ten pm, Sunday ten am to three pm. The
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dish Elvis Burger is a beef very beefy patty topped
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with creamy peanut butter, banana, bacon, jam, melted American cheese,
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tangy pickles, and crispy plantain chips, served on toasted brioche
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bun for fifteen dollars. What inspired you to create this
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year's burger for Burger Week? We chose to create the
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Elvisburger because we wanted something historic, unique and in line
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with what the Wrigley is feeling right now. It's a
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burger with his story, a little nostalgia, and a lot
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of personality, just like the kind of kind of food
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we love to serve, said manager Kendall Bryant. Our next
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Burger is folk Tail Coffee and Housebreak hours Monday through
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Friday seven am to nine pm, Saturday eight am to
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nine p m. Sunday as eight am three pm. The Burger.
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Van Chan Burger was inspired by the bold, sweet and
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sour flavors of Korean side dishes. The burger is topped
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with kim cheese, smoked Aoli, sesame, pickled relish, garlic, comfee
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cream Chris shredded cabbage, served with fries for sixteen dollars.
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Our next burger is Old Town at Old Town Grill.
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Their hours are Monday through Thursday from eleven am to
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nine thirty pm, and Friday and Saturday from eleven am
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to ten pm. Sunday from eleven am to nine pm.
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The Burger, The Bourbon Street Burger, is a brisket glend
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patty topped with creamy aoli, smoked Goudha, crispy fried mac
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and cheese, bourbon and candy, fried green tomato, hot honey,
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and rich bourbon glaze for nine dollars with nose and
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Our next burger is at Apollo Pizza at The hours
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are Tuesday through Thursday from eleven am to ten pm,
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Friday through Saturday from eleven am to eleven pm, Sunday
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from eleven am to nine pm. The dish, the Kentucky
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Beer Cheese Bacon Burger Pizza, starts with a hand stretched
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nine inch cuss layered with Apollo's homemade bold Kentucky beer cheese,
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a rich three cheese, lin savory seasoned ground beef, crispy
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smoke bacon, and in house fire roasted halipinias, then finished
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with a sweet and smoky barbecue swirl, served with a
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sight of fries for sixteen ninety nine. Our next article
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is bargain Hunters hit the road for fifteenth annual US
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twenty five Yard Cell. The Tri County shoppers brouse through
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rows of merchandise during the fifteenth annual US twenty five
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Yard Sale last Friday and Saturday. Vendors set up along
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US twenty five route, offering everything from vintage collectibles and
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household goods to toys, clothing and furniture, and antiques. The
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two day event stretches nearly two hundred miles from Walton
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to Williamsburg and attracts bargain hunters looking for deals and
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unique finds from across Kentucky and neighboring states. Above and
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this is in a picture, families browsed and searched the
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unique finds on the US twenty five yard sale locations.
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Our next article is Bluegrass Care and Navigators speak about
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services at sky Chamber Luncheon by Macy Swafford. Representatives from
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Bluegrass Care Navigators spoke to attendees at the Southern Kentucky
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Chamber of Commerce luncheon, highlighting the organization's hospice, bereavement, dementia care,
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volunteer and support services available throughout Laurel Whitley, Knox, Clay
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and surrounding counties. Provider late lay A Pardoning Provider Lease.
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I can't pronounce that correctly. Laison Jordan Hill encouraged community
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members to learn more about hospice care and seek information earlier,
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rather than waiting until a loved one reaches the final
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days of life. One of the most important things I
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want everyone to know is that anybody can make a
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hospice referral. Bill said, if you have concerns about someone,
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you can call us and start the conversation. He'll also
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address misconceptions surrounding hospice care, noting that two often families
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wait because the word hospice feels frightening. But hospice is
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not about giving up. It's about comfort, digging support, and
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quality of life. Associate Director of Philanthropy, Becca Worcester shared
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her family's personal experience with Bluegrass Care Navigators during her
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father's battle with heart disease. When Bluegrass Care Navigators introduced
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themselves to me, I suddenly felt supported, Worcester said, although stressful,
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they gave me a calming presence and guided me through
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a challenging time. Wooster emphasized the organization's patient centered approach,
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telling the tendes they are not the grim reaper, They're
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the goal. Their goal is to add life to yours
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or months or even weeks or days you have left.
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She also promoted the organization's upcoming radiothon, scheduled for July fourteenth,
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explaining that proceeds helped support services not covered by insurance,
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including bereavement counseling and integrated therapies. For more information, those
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interested may call their local office at six O six
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two seven seven, twenty one sixty. This concludes the reading
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of the Time Tribune Times Tribune. Please stay tuned for
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continued programming. Thank you for joining me on behalf of
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everyone here at Radioisle. Missus Janice wishing you a very
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good day.