Latest / Eastern Kentucky Newspapers / Corbin Times Tribune - 4.21.26

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Corbin Times Tribune - 4.21.26 · 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 Corbyn, Laurel, Whitley and Knox Counties. Your
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reader today is Janice. As a reminder, RADIOI is a
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reading service intended for people who are blind or have
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other disabilities that make it difficult to read printed material.
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We will begin with the E edition dated Thursday, April sixteenth,
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two thy twenty six. Our first article is KSP investigating
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fatal Whitley County fire Remains discovered at scenes at scene
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by Macy Swafford, Williamsburg. The Kentucky State Police are investigating
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a fatal structure fire in Whitley County after human remains
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were discovered at the scene over the weekend. According to
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a press release from Trooper Scottie Pennington, KSP Post eleven
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in London received a report at approximately a nineteen Sunday
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morning regarding eight nineteen a m Sunday morning regarding human
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remains found in the remnants of a structure of fire
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on light Mud Creek Road in Williamsburg. Officials stated that
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the Whitley County Fire Department had responded to the fire
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previous night located the remains after the blaze had been extinguished.
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Troopers responded to the scene and were assisted by the
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Whitley County Corner's Office in recovering the remains. Whitley count
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Corner Andy Crawley pronounced the individual deceased at the scene
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and requested that an autopsy be conducted. Corner Crowley was
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contacted for comment, but did not respond as of press time.
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The identity of the deceased has also not been released.
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As of press time. Authorities indicated that no foul play
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is currently suspected. The investigation remains ongoing and is being
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led by Trooper Josh Rodin was assisted at the scene
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by fellow KSP personnel, the South Whitley Fire Department, and
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the Whitley County Corner's Office. Our next article is a
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Sanders celebration Colonel Fest twenty twenty six held in downtown
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Corbin this past weekend. Crowds gathered in downtown Corbyn to
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start the weekend with the twenty twenty six Colonel Fest.
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Hosted by Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission. The annual event
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featured more than fifty vendors, food trucks, live music contest,
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and family friendly attractions, including a petting Zoo inflatables and
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a pair keep encounter. Community members of all ages spent
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the two day event enjoying activities such as the Chicken
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Costume contest, reptile program, the Colonel Sanders Lookalike Contest, and
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as the festival returned for another year of springtime celebration.
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Our next article is London mayor pleads not guilty to
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campaign finance charges by Macy Swafford, London. London Mayor Randall
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Weddle entered a plea if not guilty Wednesday morning in
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Laurel Circuit Court on a four count indictment related to
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an alleged campaign finance violations. A Laurel County grand jury
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returned the indictment on March thirty first, charging the forty
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four year old Weddle with four counts of violating campaign
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contributions restrictions and expenditure limits. Two of the count's alleged
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contribution exceeding two thousand dollars index for inflation to the
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Andybushier for Governor campaign, while the remaining two counts involved
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alleged contributions exceeding five thousand dollars to the Kentucky Democratic
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Party within a single year. The Kentucky Attorney General Russell
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Coleman announced the indictment during the March thirty first press conference.
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During Wednesday's arraignment, Weddle's attorney, Julian Guthrie True, raised a
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previous file motion requesting a change of venue from Laurel's
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Circuit Court to Franklin's Circuit Court. True argued the case
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involves broader considerations that, in his view, make Laurel County
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an improper venue. Attorneys respect the pardon. Attorneys representing the
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Attorney General's office opposed the request, meaning maintaining that Laurel's
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Circuit Court is the appropriate venue for the case. Despite
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the pending motion, Presiding Circuit Judge Michael O. Caperton proceeded
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with the arrangement. True entered a not guilty plea on
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Weddell's behalf to all charges listed in the indictment. As
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part of the proceedings, Weddell was placed under oath and
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asked to conform confirm personal information, including his name, address,
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date of birth. While the the indictment list a heavy address,
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Weddell stated in court that his residence is in London.
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The court also set conditions for Weddel instructing that he
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not is not permitted to travel out of the country,
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but may travel out of state. Judge Cappertin's schedule a
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hearing on the venue motion for July fifteenth at one pm,
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and Laurel's Circuit Court. Our next article is May dayt
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celebrates candidates ahead of an annual festival by Macy Swafford, Corbin.
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The Oslo Law Club of Corbin welcome candidates, families and
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community members to the Pennington Past this past Sunday for
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its annual May Day Tea, an event that highlighted tradition, presentations,
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and anticipation for the upcoming eighty third annual May Day Festival.
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The afternoon gathering served as an introduction and celebration of
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this year's camp, featuring thirty three May Day Queen candidates
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and sixteen Tiny Queen candidates. Attendees were able to meet participants,
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enjoy refreshments, and view decorative setups that reflected the long
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standing tradition of the festival. All candidates were formerly introduced
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during the event, with group photos taken to commemorate the occasion.
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This year's official photographer for the festival is Gina Lafari.
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Organizers noted that additional photos from the tea, including photo
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booth highlights, are expected to be released in the coming days.
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Reigning twenty twenty five, May Day Queen Peyton Taylor addressed
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attendees during the event, sharing her experience over the past
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year being May Day Queen has been such a fun
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experience and I have been so thankful I've had this opportunity,
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said Taylor. Being a part of the O'salic Club tradition
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and contributing to the community, it has been such a blessing.
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I'm wishing the best to all of you girls, and
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I can't wait to see you all in just a
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few weeks. The Asolo Club of Corbin, which organizes the
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festival annually, also announced this year's theme as May Day Rockout,
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encouraging the community to get ready to turn up the
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volume and celebrate one of Corbyn's most cherished traditions. The
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eighty third annual May Day Festival is scheduled for Friday
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May first at seven pm and the Corbyn Arena. Community
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members still have time to support their favorite candidates, with
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voting available through the Ossolo Club's website. Organizers emphasized that
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the proceeds from the event continue to support local community initiatives.
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A full list of candidates is available on the OSSOLA
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Club of Corbyn website as well as the Time tribunes
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dot com. Our next article is Corbyn school Board approves
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bond issue. Here's from Educational Center by Macy Swofford. The
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Corbyn Independent Schools Board of Education met last Thursday with
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discussion focused on district financing and an upscale. In a
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Pardon me and an Update from the staff at the
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Corbin Educational Center, The board convened at the District School
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Finance Corporation, hearing a presentation from doctor Bob Tarvin of
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RSA Advisors regarding the process of issuing bonds to fund
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school projects. Tarvin explaining that the Finance Cooperation operates as
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a separate legal entity, allowing school districts to issue long
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term debt through a structured two step process. What you're
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about to do is a two step process, Tarvin said,
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noting that the board members act as directors of the
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corporation before later returning as the school board to authorize
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the bonds. He described bonds in simple terms, comparing them
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to a traditional loan. There's nothing mysterious about bonds, think
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about getting the loan. That's what you're doing as a board,
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Tarvin said. Tarvin also reviewed the district's current debt and
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revenue structure, including funding generated through local tax nickels and
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state equalization funding. Based on current projections, he said, the
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district is in a strong position financially. According to Tarvin,
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Corbyn Schools has an estimated bonding capacity of up to
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eighteen million dollars. The proposal presented would issue approximately three
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point one eighth one pardon me, three point one eighty
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five million in revenue bonds to complete several ongoing projects,
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while still leaving roughly fourteen to fifteen million dollars in
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remaining capacity. Following discussion, the board approved the resolution authorizing
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the issuance of the bonds. Staff from the Corbyn Educational
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Center also provided an update highlighting academic performance, program growth,
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and student opportunities. Lorie Barton, principal at the center, reported
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that the program has earned exemplary ratings in all areas
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in the past two years through the state evaluations, along
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with perfect scores on recent Department of Juvenile Justice Justice audits.
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That's due to the staff putting the work in every
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single day one, administrator said. Barton also pointed out to
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significant improvements in student outcomes, including increased graduation numbers of
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the past several years, a stronger emphasis on preparing students
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for post secondary education and employment. In addition, the center
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has expanded handsome opportunities for students, including workforce placements and
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community based projects. Monthly service initiatives have included visits to
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nursing homes, support for animal shelters, and outreach efforts for
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veterans and individuals and needs. The program is also working
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to launch a student run T shirt business through a
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recently awarded mini grant aimed at giving students real world
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jobs and business experience. Barton further noted that the center
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recently earned a Program of Distinction designation at the state level,
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with representatives from across Kentucky to set to visit and
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observe the program's model. Board members praise the staff's efforts,
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emphasizing the importance of providing supportive environment for students. Our
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next article is MINT Manager discusses hospitality growth at Chamber
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luncheon by Macy Swafford Corbyn. The Southern Kentucky Chamber of
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Commerce heard from the MINT Gaming Hall's new general manager
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Darryl Londo during its monthly luncheon, where he spoke about
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his background in hospitality, his leadership style, and his vision
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for the Mintz, Corbin and Williamsburg properties London. Lundo stepped
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in as a guest speaker after the luncheon's originally scheduled speaker,
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Mariann Hoskins with Friends of the Corbyn Library, was unable
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to attend due to illness. Introducing himself to the crowd,
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Lundo said he only had recently arrived in the area
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and was still getting acquainted with the region and its people.
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I'm happy to be here, he said, later, adding I've
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just finished my first week here. During his remarks, Lundo
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shared details from his personal and professional background, growing up
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in Wisconsin, serving in the Army, and spending decades in
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the hospitality in gaming industries. He told attendees he had
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worked in gaming and hospitality for roughly twenty five years
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and had been involved in major development and expansion projects,
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including work with Oak Grove at the Churchhill Downs in Caesar's.
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Lundo said his approach to leadership centers around what he's
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called the five peas place people process, products and services
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He explained that while many business business owners focus heavily
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on profits, he prefers to focus on the factors that
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help produce long term success. What I tell people if
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I focus my time on the bottom line, and that's
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the equivalent of driving a car by watching things through
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a rear view. Mira London said much of his focus
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as a leader is on the first tour of those
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five areas, especially people and culture. He told the audience
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that strong businesses are built by hiring the right people,
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supporting them and creating a positive environment where they can succeed.
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For me, I believe it starts with being attractive to
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the right people, he said. He also emphasized the importance
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of the attitude in hospitality, staying technical skills, saying technical
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skills can often be taught, but positivity and energy are
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much harder to instill. Everybody that works at the MINT
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has to have a upa, Lundo described. That's when looking
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for potential hires for the MINT, that always look for
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those with a great personality and upbeat positivity. That's the
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one thing you can't fake, and it's the one thing
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you can't train. Lunda said. Hospitality businesses must separate themselves,
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not just by what they are offer, but how that
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service is delivered. He noted that customers may be able
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to get similar products in many places, but the experience
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they have with the staff can determine whether they return.
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It starts with the people, Lundo said. It really starts
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with the tone and that leadership sets up for the organization.
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He also spoke about the Mint's role in the community,
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incurring gene partnerships and collaboration with area businesses and organizations.
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Lundo said he wants the Mint to be an active
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participant in the chamber and with the broader Southern Kentucky region.
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Nobody is successful independent from each other. He said, we
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grow up high, the pieces get bigger for all of
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us individually. Lundo also touched on the Mint's recent and
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possible future growth. He noted that an expansion had recently
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opened at the Williamsburg Life location, adding about one hundred
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games and a gift shop. He said the company will
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continue looking at the future opportunity as time goes by.
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I think overcoming months will pardon me, I think over
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the coming months will look for other opportunities to do
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more things, Lundo said. He also promoted upcoming Derby related
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events planned for the first weekend in May, saying the
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Mint would host special activities and give patrons a place
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to watch the race. When asked about the Kentucky Lundo
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may clear he was glad to be in the state.
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I love Kentucky, he said. After Lundo's remarks, staff members
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with The Times Tribune, jes The Eldridge Baker and Trisha Humphrey,
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presented the Chamber with a two five hundred dollars check.
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The funds represented part of the proceeds from the Chamber's
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annual Directory magazine, which is produced each year by the newspaper.
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Toward the close of the luncheon, the chamber leaders also
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recognized several new members. This month, the Chamber welcomed its
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new members BSL Locksmith and Security Company, AA Women's Services,
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Southern Tile LLC, Outlaw Trailers, Whitley County Mobile Notary, and
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Integrity Family Quick Clube. Our next article is Tourism Approves,
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Holiday Lighting, Reviews, finances and rebranding by Macy Swafford. The
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Corbyn Tourism Commission discussed expanded Christmas decorations, reviewed recent financials,
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and continued conversations at a new branding Logo during its
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Tuesday meeting. A portion of the meeting centered on a
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presentation from Dustin Hood with Celebration Lighting, who outlined a
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proposal for the city's twenty twenty six holiday lighting display.
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Who had said most of the work included in the
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proposal would remain the same as last year, including decorations
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at the Depot Street, the Depot Building, Sanders Park, and
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lighting done in conjunction with the city. However, he said
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the proposal also included additions aimed at enhancing displays in
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the downtown Farmers Market area and city entrances. Among the
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new ideas presented was the placement of a decorative truck
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display in the Farmer's Market area, which Hood said would
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serve as a major seasonal focal point and a photo opportunity.
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The ideas are kind of unlimited, Hood said, explaining the
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display could be customized in a variety of ways for
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more classic Christmas styling to playful themes. Hood said the
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truck would likely be placed near the bathrooms at the
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Farmer's Market and centered beneath an existing wreath, with additional
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lighting or other decorative elements at as needed. Heillos said
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celebration lighting was considering smaller photo op displays closer to
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the road, as well as a possible Christmas countdown feature
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if a suitable weather or resistant option could be found.
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Proposal also included a custom train display, which Hood said
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would fit near the South entrance in front of Arby's
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and be positioned for maximum visibility to drivers entering the city.
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Everybody wants to train around Christmas, Hood said during the discussion,
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adding that the piece could become a strong visual statement
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for the area. As discussed at the last meeting, the
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custom made train display sign was estimated to be around
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fifteen thousand dollars. Board members also discuss entrance improvements, including
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wrapping trees with lighting rather than continuing some of the
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same ground level decorations used in recent years. So it's
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said the North entrance still presents challenges due to the
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lack of a dependable power source, making that location less
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practical for a larger installation at this time. In discussing
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the overall concept, whod said he wanted to make the
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proposed truck display eventually eye catching. The proposal presented to
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the board reflected an additional eighty two hundred dollars above
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what had been done in prior years and included the
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train truck and expanded entrance enhancements. Board members ultimately approved
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the celebration lighting proposal. The board also heard a financial
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report from Brian gay CPA, who reviewed February and March
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revenue figures, alongside Kyle Perkins with FK. Perkinson Company, LLC,
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who addressed a payroll issue tied to a recent payroll
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system change for its employees. Perkins apologized for the payroll
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problem that resulted in employee pay being delayed after a
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payroll system's change. I am embarrassed to say that for
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the first time over twenty years, we have missed paying
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their staff, gay told the board, adding that the firm
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had since returned to its original payroll system and would
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be monitoring it closely. I want it to come personally
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and apologize, Perkins said, I don't think we could apologize enough.
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Board members thanked Perkins for addressing the matter directly, as
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well as his transparency and his partnership to the tourism board.
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Gaye said the restaurant tax receipts for February totaled one
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hundred thirty six thousand, one hundred and sixty one dollars,
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which he said was the highest February total in more
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than five years. Transient tax receipts for the same month
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totaled fifteen thousand, seven hundred and ninety seven dollars, also
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the highest February total in more more than five years.
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In March, Gay said the restaurant tax receipts totaled one
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hundred fifty thousand dollars five hundred eighty two one hundred
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fifty thousand, five hundred eighty two dollars, while transient tax
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receipts came in at nineteen thousand, three hundred thirty five
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thousand dollars. Later in the meeting, the board revisited logo
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concepts prepared by McDaniel's Marketing as part of the Tourism's
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office rebranding efforts. Board members reviewed several designs and discussed
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what they liked, disliked, and what they felt better reflected
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Corbin's identity. The conversation largely focused on the desire for
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a logo that more clearly captures Corbin Downtown's natural attractions
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and overall character. Members expressed concerns about some of the
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presented concepts, saying certain elements felt too abstract or did
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not fully reflect the city's image. At the same time,
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the board discussed specific colors, shapes, and design elements that
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they felt had potential. Rather than making a final selection,
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the board agreed more refinement was needed. Unanimously, members said
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they wanted to provide clearer feedback to McDaniels on what
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aspects of the concepts they did and did not like,
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with the goal of seeing updated in additional design layouts
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and future meetings. Our next article is London man sentenced
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to eighteen plus years for methamphetamine trafficking. Times tributing staff
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report London. A local man was sentenced earlier this month
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for more than eighteen years in federal prison. Jimmy Barrett,
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forty seven, of London, was sentenced April first to two
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hundred and twenty months by the US District Judge Robert
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Weir for possession with intent to distribute five hundred grams
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or more of methamphetamine. According to his plea agreement. On
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September thirteenth, twenty twenty four, Barrett was driving back to
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London after meeting with his source of supply in the
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Louisville area, where he obtained approximately six pounds of methamphetamine.
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Law enforcement attempted to execute a traffic stop on Barrett's vehicle,
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but he refused, leading police on a high speed chase
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through Laurel County. Barrett ultimately wrecked his vehicle from the police.
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From the police chase, a search which led to the
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location in seizure of the six pounds of methamphetamine. Barrett
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admitted to intending to distribute his methamphetamine to other mid
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and lower level methamphetamine traffickers in London and Corbin Areas.
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Under federal law, Barrett must serve eighty five percent of
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his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will
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be under the supervision of the US Probation Office for
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ten years. Jason Parman, first assisted United States Attorney for
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the Eastern District of Kentucky, John Noakes, Special Agent in
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Charge ATF Louisville Field Division, and Philip J. Burnett, Junior
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Commissioner of Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence. The
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investigation was conducted by the ATF and the KSP our.
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Next article is Rotary Club's hosts sold out sixteenth International
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Dinner by Macy Swafford Corbyn. The Corbyn and London Rotary
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Clubs welcome a packed crowd to the Corbyn Arena Saturday
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for the sixteenth annual Rotary International Dinner, an event that
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blended parmy global cuisine with a mission to eradicate polliol worldwide.
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For sixteen years, our two clubs have come together to
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host this international dinner. What started as a small gathering
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has grown into a cornerstone event for our region, said
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London Rotary President Molly Barnett, adding that by the looks
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of the large crowd and the sold out event, it
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was clear that the commitment to local services has never
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been stronger. Tonight, we're not just Southern Kentucky Southeastern Kentucky.
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We're taking a trip around the world, says Corbyn Rotary
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President Todd Peeler. We're incredibly proud to feature twenty three
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different countries representing right here in this hall. Countries including Mexico, India, Lithuania,
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Italy and Japan were among those represented, offering attendees a
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wide variety of international dishes, from the spices of Asia
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to the traditional flavors of Europe and the Americas. Peeler
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described the event as a true taste of global community
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that a Rotary serves. Barnett noted that the event's success
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would not have been possible without the support of approximately
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forty five hosts and food vendors who contributed both their
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time in cultural traditions. But as much as we are
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here to enjoy the food and the followship, we're also
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here with a singular, life changing purpose, said Peeler. Proceeds
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from the event benefit the Poliol Plus Foundation, Rotary International
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global initiative aimed at eradicating polio. Launched in nineteen eighty
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five by Rotary International, the program has helped reduce poliol
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cases worldwide by ninety nine point nine percent, from an
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estimated three hundred and fifty thousand cases in more than
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one hundred twenty five countries to just a handful today.
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Funds raised support vaccination efforts, transportation of medical teams, and
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outreach in vulnerable regions. We are this close to eradicating
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a disease for the only the second time in history.
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This concludes the reading of the Times Tribute. Please stay
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tuned for continued programming. Thank you for joining me and
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on behalf of everyone here at RADIOI. This is Janice,
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wishing you a very good day,