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Corbin Times-Tribune - 12.16.25 · 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 and Laurel, Whitley and Knox Counties.
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Your reader to day is Janet. As a reminder, RADIOI
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is a reading service for people who are blind or
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have other disabilities that make it difficult to read printed material.
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We'll begin with the edition dated December eleventh, twenty twenty five.
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The first front page headline is Williamsburg man arrested in
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felony assault case by Macy Swafford. A Williamsburg man is
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facing two felony charges following a Sunday incident. Austin J. White, thirty,
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was arrested Sunday following an assault with a baseball bat
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that left the other individual with a severe head injury,
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according to the Whitley County Sheriff's Office. W c s
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O said that Deputy Heather Lindsey was dispatched at approximately
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ten forty six a m. On December seventh to a
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residence on Maple Creek Road in reference to the report
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of a serious physical injury. Upon arrival, Deputy Lindsey and
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Williamsburg Police officer Bobby Freeman located the victim, who was
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later airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for
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treatment of head injuries sustained during the assault. During the
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initial investigation, Deputy Lendsey and Officer Freeman learned the suspect
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had fled the scene before EMS and additional law enforcement arrived.
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Deputy Tony Dingis later located White's vehicle, traveling on US
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twenty five near the Kentucky Tennessee state line. Dings detained
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the man, who was then taken into custody without incident.
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White has been charged with second degree assault and second
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degree burglary. He was transported to the Whitley County Detention Center,
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where he was booked under a fifty thousand dollars bond,
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according to jail records. With a not guilty plea entered
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on White's behalf Monday. He is scheduled to appear for
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a preliminary hearing next Monday in Whitley District Court. Deputy
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Lindsay continues to lead the investigation, with assistance at the
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scene from Whitley County MS and Officer Freeman. The next
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front page headline is Corbon Tourism reviews November revenues, prepares
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for twenty twenty six events by Macy Swafford. The Corbon
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Tourism and Convention Commission met for a special called session
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Tuesday at Season's Restaurant in downtown Corbin, focusing largely on
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November's financial performance and upcoming tourism events. Following the meeting's
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opening approval of minutes until Adviser Brian Gay CPA presented
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the monthly financial report, noting that as of November thirty,
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twenty twenty five, the Commission held a total balance of
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one million, five hundred thirty thousand, nine hundred ninety nine dollars.
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No fixed asset purchases were made during the month. Gay
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reported that restaurant tax collections remained steady. Quote restaurant tax
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was pretty on par with the previous month, he said,
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quote were at one hundred fifty seven thousand, two hundred
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seventeen dollars close quotes. The previous month's total was one
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hundred fifty six thousand, seven hundred eighty three dollars, while
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the same period last year saw one hundred sixty six thousand,
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one hundred eighteen dollars in collections. Transient tax revenue saw
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what Gay described as a significant rebound for November, coming
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in at twenty two thousand, two hundred ninety dollars. That
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income for the month was reported at thirteen thousand, six
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hundred eighty four dollars. Quote. It's a little bit lower
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than prior years, and one of the big reasons is
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we had a little bit more advertising expense this November
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than we had the previous Novembers. Close quotes Gay explained
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year to date figures also reflected positive progress. Restaurant tax
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revenue totaled eight hundred twelve thousand, one hundred forty three dollars,
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compared to a budgeted six hundred sixty six thousand, six
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hundred sixty seven dollars. Quote. We were about one hundred
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forty five thousand dollars ahead of budget as of November
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close quotes Kay said transient tax year to date was
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ninety thousand, two hundred nineteen dollars above the seventy thousand,
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eight hundred thirty three budget projection. Net income for the
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year stood at one hundred thirty three thousand, eight hundred
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ninety two dollars, well above the expected thirty one thousand,
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four hundred forty two dollars. Gay emphasized that the Commission
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remained in a very good financial position over all. During
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the director's report, Tourism Director Emily Roberts noted that the
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Farmer's Market plaque, previously discussed at past meetings, had been
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sent to DK Media for production. The Commission is now
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awaiting delivery and installation of the plaque at the market pavilion.
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Roberts also outlined several upcoming tourism events. Restaurant Week is
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scheduled for January twelve to eighteen, while finger Licking Chicken Week,
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typically held in January, will move to coincide with Colonel
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Fest in April. Colonel Fest has been approved for dates
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April seventeen and eighteen. The next front page headline is
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Barberville City Council amend's budget. Here's departmental reports by cud
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K Wilson, correspondent. Barberville City Council met in regular session
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last Thursday, approving the second reading of a budget amendment
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and hearing departmental reports. The new budget ordinance was needed
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due to the transfer of one hundred twenty five thousand
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dollars from Contingency Administrative to the Fire Department. The city's
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six million, eight hundred sixty two thousand, two hundred seventy
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nine dollars in revenues and receipts will now be appropriated
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as follows. Administrative two million, two hundred ninety nine thousand,
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two hundred thirty five dollars. Police Department one million, four
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hundred twenty eight thousand, six hundred twenty one dollars. Street
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Department one million, one hundred sixteen thousand, one hundred seventy
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five dollars, Fire Department nine hundred twenty two thousand, two
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hundred forty eight dollars, Recreation three hundred forty six thousand dollars,
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Tourist and Recreation seven hundred fifty thousand dollars. Following the
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second reading, the council was presented with the Fire Department report,
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which included five structures, nine EMS related calls, two vehicles,
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and two brush fires. Police Chief Winston Tie reported nineteen wrecks,
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one with injury, eleven open cases, eight meth, one heroin,
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and one trafficking, one hundred forty six citations covering four
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hundred seventy two counts, sixty UIs, four hundred seven traffic violations,
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forty seven arrests, and four hundred sixteen calls for service.
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The chief also advised that the completion of the baby box,
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allowing for the safe surrender of infants, has been delayed
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due to an organizer's medical issues. Toward the end of
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the meeting, Mayor David Thompson addressed some five hundred calls
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his office has received about the Christmas tree in front
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of the Knox County Courthouse, explaining that it belongs to
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the county News. Council members appointed Jake Nichols to fulfill
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the remaining term of John David King through June five,
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twenty twenty six. On the Board of Adjustments renewed a
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contract for legal services with Samuel Davies. The one year
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contract includes a monthly retainer of seven dollars fifty cents
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per hour. Approved signing of the deed for the BOYD
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Richardson property at two eight South Main Street. Heard from
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Chris Hubbard regarding a December sixth open house for a
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historic building that's part of an initiative to rebuild Appalachia.
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The meeting closed with an executive session to discuss purchase
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of properties. The last front page headline is Oh What fun.
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Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce wraps up a year with
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Christmas Themed Luncheon by Macy Swafford. The Southern Kentucky Chamber
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of Commerce kept the holiday spirit alone this week as
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members gathered for the organization's annual Christmas Themed Luncheon, an
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event filled with festive games, recognitions, and prize giveaways supported
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by the Chamber Ambassador Program and local businesses. Guests enjoyed
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a catered meal from Ladonna's Catering before Executive Director Bruce
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Carpenter opened to luncheon with remarks of appreciation. Quote. I
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just want to say how much I appreciate these folks
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and all their efforts this year, said Carpenter. Quote it
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has been a very successful year here for us as
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the Chamber, as the Economic Development Office, and of course
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as the Corbin Center. None of that is possible without
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those folks, close quotes. Before festivities kicked off, the Chamber
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formally recognized two new member businesses, Globe Life, Family Heritage
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and Nexus Pro, presenting each with a plaque to commemorate
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their addition to the Chamber. Following the recognitions, Kayla Cobb
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with the Job Shop, stepped to the podium to mcd
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Afternoon's games. In a playful twist, Cobb introduced her company,
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an employment services agency that connects Kentucky job seekers with
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regional employers, by incorporating it into a crumble cookie pass
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along game. As she explained the services the job Shop provides.
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Attendees had to pass a box of cookies to the
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left or right each time the respective word was spoken.
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Whoever held the box at the end took it home.
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Dozens of prizes were distributed throughout the event, with gifts
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donated by local partners, ranging from Cinema social movie tickets
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to crock pots, Walmart gift cards, holiday decor, and more.
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Games including musical chairs, a Christmas word scramble, and a
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challenge where participants attempted to scoop bows into a bowl
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while blindfolded, kept the crowd entertained throughout the luncheon. This
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month's luncheon was sponsored by the job Shop, which provides staffing, recruitment,
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and workforce solutions for businesses across southeastern Kentucky. The next
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headline is Corbin School's seeking community input with survey. The
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Corbin Independent School District is gathering input from students, families, educators,
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and community members as officials developed the district's portrait of
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a learner. Corbyn's students benefit from a strong academic foundation
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and the portrait of a learner will help the district
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build on that strength. It represents a shared vision for
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the essential knowledge and skills every student should develop to
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thrive in today's world. As a member of the Corbon community,
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officials appreciate your willingness to complete a short survey found
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at https colon forward slash forward slash bit do l
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y forward slash capital c r b y n p
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l L Survey survey du date is December nineteen, twenty
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twenty five. The next headline is Community Orchestra performs Christmas
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Concert by Nita Johnson, correspondent. The Christmas trees and lighted
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wreaths that adorn the sanctuary of London's first Baptist Church
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were the perfect background as the London Community Orchestra brought
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the Christmas season to life through music. There were few
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spots vacant in the sanctuary as the orchestra began its
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twenty ninth season with a variety of holiday music. Musicians
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from London, Corbyon, Somerset and Williamsburg displayed their talent through
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some of the seasonal favorites that also featured London resident
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Amber Hannah in three solos. A professionally trained soprano. Hannah
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performed Yazu, Bambino, Oh Holy Night, and White Christmas accompanied
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by the orchestra. No Christmas musical performance is complete without
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songs from The Nutcracker, an all time favorite in which
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dolls and toys come to life. This year's selections included March,
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Toy Flutes and Russian Dance. Sleigh rad and amedley of
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other Christmas favorites were also in the agenda for Saturday's performance,
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reviving childhood memories of the songs that made the Holidays special.
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The medley included Winter Wonderland, I'll be home for Christmas,
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Santa Claus is coming to Town, and have yourself a
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merry Little Christmas. The London Community Orchestra unique to the area,
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being one of the only orchestras between Lexington and Knoxville.
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This year's event was narrated by Harold Dykey, while the
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slide show was by Jason Jones. The orchestra is under
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the direction of Jack Walker, a longtime band director for
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Laurel County Public Schools. The Christmas Concert is the first
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of four performances each year. The Spring Concert is set
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for March fourteen, twenty twenty six. The Patriotic Band Concert
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will be held on July fourth, and the Pops Concert
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is slated for August one. The London Community Orchestra is
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sponsored by the City of London Tourism Commission, with sponsors
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for specific concerts. Funding is largely funded through admission fees
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and donations. Text deductible donations can be sent to London
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Community Orchestra Society Inc. Pobox one nine eight five London,
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Kentucky four zero seven four three. The next headline is
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four Kentucky projects receive Appalachian Regional Commission grants by Tom
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Latech of Kentucky today. The Appalachian Regional Commission announced Thursday
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the awarding of over twelve point six million dollars in
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grants to eighty projects designed to meet local economic development
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needs in twelve Appalachian states, including four in Kentucky. The
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Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky received five hundred thousand dollars to
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support the development of a STEM ecosystem in Appalachian Kentucky
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through paid work based learning programs that connect students with
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local businesses and regional employers. Activities are projected to serve
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over one thousand students, twenty counties, twenty educators, and twenty
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commute Unity partners, as well as support three regional convenings
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and nine professional development sessions. Berea College's Bushy Fork Leadership
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Institute was granted three hundred eighty eight thousand, six hundred
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ten dollars to provide organizational development, training, technical assistance, and
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related services to nonprofit organizations throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and
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West Virginia. Activities are projected to improve one hundred twenty
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participants from sixty organizations, as well as the technical assistance
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skills of twelve workers employed by the grantee. The Buffalo
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Trace Area Development District is getting two hundred twelve thousand,
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three hundred dollars to expand economic development services to four
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communities in Fleming and Robertson Counties by hiring an additional
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staff member to conduct research and surveys on housing, collaborate
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with local officials on property development, and lead community economic
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development planning. The City of Corbin was awarded sixty thousand
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dollars to generate a comprehensive long term plan to identify
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and implement strategies for land use, housing, transportation, community facilities,
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and natural resources to maximize economic potential. Project activities will
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improve the skills of fourteen city employees and launch community
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partnerships with six organizations. ARC uses congressionally appropriated funds to
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invest in Appalachia's economic and community development through grants as
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part of their federal state partnership. ARC's grant application process
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begins at the state government level. All ARC grants align
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with the investment priorities outlined in their current strategic plan
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and reflects state plans and strategies. ARC also issues specific
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requests for proposals for research and evaluation contracts on topics
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directly impacting economic development throughout the Appalachian region. Next, there's
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a guest column with the headline A letter to women
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of twenty twenty five. Dear young women of twenty twenty five,
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I hope these words reach you not just as encouragement,
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but as a reminder of your power and a call
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to protect it. Lately, I've noticed a growing drum beat
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in the news. The federal government is concerned about declining
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birth rates. Frankly, I'm not sure why they're surprised. We
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live in a time when reproductive health care options for
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women have been rolled back, and when the developing cultural
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and social structures around us often do more to limit
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women than to support them. But here's what you need
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to know. Despite all this, you are thriving. You are
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outpacing men in higher education. Women's graduation rates now stand
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at sixty seven point nine percent compared to sixty one
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point three percent for men. You are building financial independence.
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Single women own about fifty eight percent of homes owned
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by unmarried Americans, more than single men. Study after study
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shows that unmarried, childless women are among the happiest and
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healthiest groups in society. You are not just surviving, you
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are building rich, fulfilling lives. Meanwhile, men are facing rising
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loneliness and shrinking social networks. Some will try to make
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this your problem. It is not their struggles. Do not
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erase your right to pursue your own path. Yes, fertility
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rates are dropping, but this is not a woman's problem.
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It is the result of complex forces, economic realities, educational opportunities,
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political climate, and lack of structural support. Instead of addressing
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these systemic issues, too many policies aim to pressure women
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back into motherhood. Often through restrictions that put women's health
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and safety at risk. Our government is much more interested
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in being pro birth than pro child or pro family.
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The overturning of Roe versus Wade was not empowerment. It
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was a setback, and until reproductive health care options are
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secure in all states, many women will rightfully choose to
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delay or forego motherhood for their own well being. So
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my message to you is simple, but firm. Your life
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is yours to shape, college, career, marriage, children, or none
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of them. Of Every path is valid if it is
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your choice. Reguard your health, safety, and autonomy. Fiercely know
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the laws, speak up, vote, demand care that protects you.
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Do not accept misplaced blame. You are not responsible for
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fixing male loneliness, propping up flawed policies, or compensating for
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a government's lack of support. Celebrate wins. Every degree, every paycheck,
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every home, every step toward independence is a victory. The
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road ahead won't always be smooth, but it is yours.
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It's not fair that right now you are walking a
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precarious path, but walk it with confidence. You are now
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part of a generation rewriting the rules not just for women,
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but for everyone, and that's by Cindy Allen of c
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NHI News. Cindy Allen is a retired newspaper editor and publisher. Next,
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we turn to sports. The headline is Corbin improves to
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three wins, zero losses with sixty six to forty six
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win over Pineville. By Leus Dixon. Corbin remained unbeaten Tuesday,
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using a dominant second half to pull away for a
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sixty six to forty six road victory over Pinevale. The
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Lady Redhounds three wins and no losses, opened with a
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fifteen to nine lead after the first quarter and carried
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a thirty five to thirty advantage into halftime. From there,
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Corbin used its depth and defensive pressure outscoring Pineville one
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win and two losses thirty one to sixteen the rest
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of the way. Quote good team win for us tonight,
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Corbyn coach Isaac Wilson said, quote foul trouble really made
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us play some different line ups tonight, which I believe
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will be great for us moving forward. Having nine different
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people score in a game like tonight is important and
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shows our team mentality. Close quotes. Corbyn knocked down eight
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three pointers, led by Addie Wilson's four makes on her
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way to a team high fourteen points. Lydia King added
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twelve points, while Aubrey Clemens scored nine and Izzie Walker
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finished with eight. Twelve Lady Redhounds saw the floor with
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none entering the scoring column. Quote happy for our effort
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tonight from all twelve girls who played, Wilson said, quote,
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we talk about we being greater than me, and I
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feel tonight's performance is an example of that mentality. We
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will enjoy this one and get back to work as
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we have plenty to improve on. Close quotes. Pineville was
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led by standout Rachel Howard, who poured in a game
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high twenty two points while Madison Johnson added ten. The
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next headline is Whitley County wins Anchors Down Tournament by
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Les Dixon. The Whitley County Colonel's Boys wrestling team turned
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in a dominant performance this past weekend, capturing the team
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championship at the Anchors Down eighteen team individual wrestling tournament
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hosted by Perry County Central. Whitley County showcased depth across
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almost every weight class, highlighted by two individual champions and
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several podium finishes. One hundred and twenty pounds. First place
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Larius Philippe two hundred eighty five pounds. First place Landon
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Bryant one hundred thirty eight pounds, second place Brayden Stevens
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one hundred fifty seven pounds, second place Isaac Perez one
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hundred forty four pounds, third place Channing Cart six pounds.
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Third place Xander Holt one hundred thirteen pounds, third place
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Nicholas Dotson one hundred sixty five pounds, third place Justin
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Hill one hundred twenty six pounds, fourth place Landon Creech
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one hundred seventy five pounds, fourth place Wyatt Probus one
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hundred fifty pounds, fourth place Kevin Brown two hundred fifteen pounds,
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sixth place Zack Smith. The last sports headline is local
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swim teams stand out at Whitley County December Invite by
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Les Dixon. Four thirteenth Region programs delivered strong early season
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performances Saturday during the Whitley County December Invite at the
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Patriots Aquatic Center, with Corbin, Whitley County, South Laurel, and
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Williamsburg each producing top finishes and relay highlights. Corbin Corbyn
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turned in one of the day's most impressive overall efforts,
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win iron boys events and powering its way to the
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first place overall combined team finish with four hundred thirty
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five points. The Redhounds opened the meet with a victory
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in the two hundred medley relay, then continued rolling behind
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standout swims from Liam Flynn, Aiden's Sinell, Blake Butler, Kendall
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Barton and others. Flynn won the two hundred free, Sinnell
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won the one hundred fly and later dominated the five
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hundred free. Butler won the fifty free and the one
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hundred breaststroke. Carton added top finishes in the one hundred
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free and helped Corbyn sweep the relays. Corbyn's boys also
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placed first in the two hundred free relay. Meet host
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Whitley County showcased its consistency and depth, finishing second overall
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with four hundred twenty three points and capturing the women's
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team championship with three hundred seven points. This conclude it's
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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 radioivisus Janet wishing you a very
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good day,