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Corbin Times-Tribune - 2.17.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: Now we turn to the reading of the Times Tribune
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for news in Corbin, Laurel and Whitley Counties and Knox Counties.
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The reader today is Janus. As a reminder, RADIOI is
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a reading service intendent for people who have lined or
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have other disabilities that make it difficult to read printed material.
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Will begin with the E edition dated Thursday, February twelve,
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twenty twenty six. President's Day to be instruction for Corbin
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Independence students Corbyn. Though Corbyn students are typically out of
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school for President's Day, the holiday will now serve as
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an additional instruction day for the district due to a
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Monday vote by the Corbyn Board of Education. The board's
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decision came during a brief special call meeting that afternoon.
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Following the use of several non traditional instruction or NTI days,
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we used all ten of our NTI days, so currently
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at this point we do have an option to extend
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the last day of school, Superintendent Travis Wilder said opening
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the discussion. In my conversations, we did not want to
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extend or make the day before spring break a full
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day of school. Who because people have plans. It's at
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the wish of the board to approved changing President's Day
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to an instruction day. Board members agreed that having an
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instruction day on the upcoming holiday was preferable in order
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to keep the final day of school before spring break
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a half day, with Superintendent Wilder Wilder stating and pardoning
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a change to that plan would be a last resort.
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Unable to attend the meeting in person, board members then
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Childers Paul Taylor joined the meeting by phone. Among those
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presents where Wilder, David Hannah, and Kim Crowley Hanna moved
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to change the twenty twenty five twenty six school calendar,
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which Taylor seconded before it passed with an eye vote.
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Board members went on to the state took concerns about
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the need for additional absences. I do personally feel like
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we're going to get another round of illness because the
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food is rampant in Lexington, and usually it hits here
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after it hits there, because we all go to ball
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games and shopping, and I do think we're going to
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have another round of weather, said Crowley, chap pardoning, Childers
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agreed how many we wouldn't be surprised if board members
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have to meet again soon to take further action. Following
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the discussion, law that took a moment to thank those
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involved in keeping the area's roads safe for students and staff.
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I would just like to openly thank the city and
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the county for the work that they did on the roads,
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Superintendent Wylder stated. It was the collective effort. We have
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kids that come from all over, so they sprung into
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action and I just want to thank them for their work.
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The meeting came to a German following Wylder's remarks. The
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Corbyn Board of Education regularly meets on the second Thursday
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of each month. However, the board's next meeting will take
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place next Thursday, February nineteenth, six pm at Corbyn Elementary.
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Next article is charge upgraded for Ohio men arrested in
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connection to fatal crash on I seventy five last month London.
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A new charge has been filed in connection with two
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fatal vehicle crash that occurred last month on Interstate seventy
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five in Laurel County, according to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office.
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Sheriff John Route reported that the crash occurred January thirteenth
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and approximately two fifty seven am on Interstate seventy five
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southbound near mile marker forty six. Investigators determined that a
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Nissan Ultima passenger car collided with a stationary tractor trailer
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that was reportedly stopped in a travel lane. The driver
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of the Nissan Altima, thirty year old William Darnell of Corbin,
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died as a result of injuries sustained into crash. Following
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an investigation by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, an arrest
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warrant was obtained for Stephen Patrick Jones, fifty four, of Xena, Ohio.
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Jones was taken into custody on February fourth by the
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US Marshal Service in Xena. Jones was initially taken into
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custody locally on January thirteenth for operating a motor vehicle
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under the influence of a substance. He is now charged
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with vehicular homicide under the influence. The arrest warrant was
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obtained by the Laurel County Sheriff's Crashing Crash seeing three
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constructionist Detective Brad Meat. Following his latest arrest, Jones was
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launched in the Green County Jail in Ohio, where he
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awaited extradition back to Kentucky. The investigation has been conducted
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by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. Online court records did
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not yet reflect the new charge. However, Jones is next
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scheduled to appear in Laurel District Court for a pre
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trial conference on April twenty first. Next article is Dan
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I'm sorry, I'm having problems defamation lawsuit filed by former
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Williamsburg police officer by Macy Swafford, Williamsburg. A former Williamsburg
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police officer has filed a lawsuit in Whitley Circuit Court
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alleging disability, discrimination, retaliation, and violations of his due process
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rights following his termination. According to a complaint filed February
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sixth and Whitley County Court, Daniel Lovitt issuing the City
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of Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison, police Chief Jason Cattle, Assistant
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Chief Brandon White, and Assistant Chief Bobby Freeman. In the complaint,
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Lovett states that he was employed as a police officer
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with the Williamsburg Police Department from September thirteenth, twenty twenty one,
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until his termination on November nineteenth, twenty twenty four. He
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reports that during his first year, he was awarded Rookie
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of the Year and had no significant disson disciplinary record.
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The lawsuit claims Lovet sustained a serious on duty injury
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to his left hand in September of twenty twenty three,
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which ultimately resulted in the amputation of his left middle
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finger in January of twenty twenty four. He was placed
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on workers' compensation lead from September twenty twenty three until
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September twenty four and properly pursued a worker's compensation claim.
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Lovett reports in the suit that after being medically cleared
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to return to full duty in September twenty twenty four,
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he was instead placed on administrative leave without written explanation
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and required to undergo a psychological evaluation. The complaint states
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the evaluation did not identify any basis to question his
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fitness for duty. He further alleges that during a November nineteenth,
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twenty twenty four, meeting with Mayor Harrison in Chief Cattle
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was he was informed that his employment was being terminated,
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but was provided for a reason. The complaint claims he
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was denied the opportunity to appeal the termination before the
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city's legislative body. The lawsuit asserts claims of disability discrimination
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under the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and the Americans with
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Disabilities Act, violation of police Officer's Bill of Rights, and
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workers' compensation retaliation. Loved is seeking com compensation and punctives
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damages in the excess of twenty five thousand dollars per
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claim reinstatement related in juck dein freelief attorney's fee in
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a jury trial. The complaint was followed by Attorney Samuel T.
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Long of Spitz, the employee's law firm. The case is
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assigned to Whitley's Circuit Judge Dan Below. Mayor Harrison said
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he has not been formally served with the lawsuit as
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of press time and was unable to comment. Our next
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article is Judge Executive Pat White Junior gives Whitley County
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updates at Sky Chamber luncheon by Mason Swaffer Corbett. Whitley
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County Judge Executive Pat White Junior served as a guest
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speaker at this month's Southern Kentucky Chamber of luncheon, providing
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updates ongoing projects and anticipated developments across Whitley County. The
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luncheon was sponsored by Right Side consulting with Representative rich Fleeener.
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Addressing attendees about the company and its mission prior to
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introducing White, Judge White reflected on both recent challenges in
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ongoing progress across Whitley County. White, who is now serving
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his nineteenth year as Judge Executive, acknowledged that the start
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of twenty twenty six has been particularly difficult due to
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severe winter weather that has led to extended school closures,
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hazard is in road conditions, and widespread infrastructure issues, particularly water.
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The start to twenty twenty six has been very rough,
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as many of you all know, White said, probably the
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worst winter storm weather we've had in the last several years,
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maybe in the last ten year is Judge White explained
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that the county road crews worked long hours responding to
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winter conditions, using approximately three hundred tons of salt, while
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also coordinating with school districts, bus garages, and water districts
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across the county. As temperatures rose following the storms, Judge
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Executive Pat White, Oh, there is a picture of him,
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and underneath the picture it says Judge Executive Pat White
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Junior speaks to the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce luncheon
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and discuss the state of the county for the twenty
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twenty six school year. Now to continue on, let me
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go back. As temperatures rose following the storms, waterline breaks
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became widespread, requiring continued response efforts county wide. Despite the challenges,
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Judge Wide credited recent investments in county equipment for improving
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emergency response capabilities. Us do things with the equipment that
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we're made over the last several years that we didn't
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use to be able to do. White also discussed one
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of the county's largest ongoing projects, a ten million dollar
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expansion of the Whitley County Detention Center. The project will
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add one hundred beds, including general population and isolation sales,
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along with a new office space and multi purpose recreational
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areas designed to support programming, education, and services for inmates.
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White emphasized that rise of jail costs remain one of
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the most significant financial challenges facing counties statewide. Pre COVID,
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we were spending about one point six to one point
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seven million a year. Now it's three million, he said.
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If you think about what we could do in our
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community with three million dollars, it affects everybody we noted
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that counties are fully responsible for inmate medical care and
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other operations calls, while state reimbursement rates have not kept
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pace with rising expenses. White also addressed re emergency responses,
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including downtown Williamsburg fire to destroy four buildings on Main Street.
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He praised the coordinated response from multiple fire departments and
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volunteers who worked under dangerous winter conditions. Fortunately, nobody was
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seriously injured, White said, adding that many of the responders
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who were volunteers risking their safety to protect their communities.
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He also expressed appreciation for the outpouring of community support,
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including food and some lines donated to the first responders
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during the incident. Looking ahead, White outlined several upcoming projects
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and events, including improvements at the county Fairgrounds, the return
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of monthly horse show beginning in April, a plant rodeo
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in June, and the Whitley County Fair schedule for July
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twenty second through the twenty fifth. He also discussed road
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projects funded through female slide grants, state transportation programs, and
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legislative funding along a party with ongoing equipment upgrades for
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county road departments. Judge White concluded his remarks by highlighting
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the county's long term financial outlook, noting that Whitley County
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is on track to retire all major long term debt
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by twenty thirty one. In five years, we're going to
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turn a corner as a county, White said, We're delivering
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more services with no debt, with the same or less taxes,
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and I think that's a great direction for our county.
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With an introduction from Chamber President Kiah Cobb, Fleeer explained
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prior to the judge's speech that the Right Side Consulting
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works with individuals, organization and businesses to develop strong leadership,
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clarify purpose, and improve performance through coaching, training, and speaking engagements.
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The company emphasizes personal and professional growth through intentional leadership
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development and practical application. When speaking about Right Side Consulting,
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Fleinner began asking attendees a simple but intentional question, why
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are you here, stressing the importance of understanding one's motivation
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and purpose. That's what's important. It's important to know your why,
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because your why is what drives your what, and your
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why is what makes your what worthwhile, said Fleener. Fleeer
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shared that his own why centers on giving back, paying
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it forward, adding value helping people realize their purpose and
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reach their full potential. He brings more than forty years
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of experience in the educational administration, leadership, customer service, and
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organizational development. More information can be found on the Right
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Side Consulting LLC dot com. If I can help you
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or your organization do what they need to do to
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be where you would like to be, I'd love to
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partner with you to help charge a new pathway for
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a success, Cleaner said. After White's update, Cobb joined the
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podium once more and began to introduce and welcome the
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Chambers and US members. Heartstrings, mental Health and Wellness, Made
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in Heaven, JBN sales and shoreline Communications were introduced as
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the Chambers and US members. More information on businesses can
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be found on the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce website.
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Our next article is London Laurel nine one one board
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amend's c JIS agreement hires new attorney by Macy Swafford, London.
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Recent administrative changes involving management of Criminal Justice Information Services
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CJ system remained a focal point of discussion during a
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special call nine to one one board meeting on Monday,
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February ninth, along with the hiring of a new board attorney.
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Board Chair David Williams said the board began discussing the
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need for legal counsel after conversation with nine one one
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director Larry Walls, who expressed concerns about the volume of
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open records request being reviewed by the Dispatched Center. Larry
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has requested that we try to find some legal counsel
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through hiring an attorney that would represent the board, said Williams.
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I myself would like to see us hire somebody as
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connected with Cities County government, and I wish we would
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consider J. L. Albright. Albright was subconquently nominated, motioned, and
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approved unanimously to serve as the board's attorney. The Board
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then took up an amendment to its internal local Agreement
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following recent changes in the CJIS Management control. CJIS is
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overseen by the FBI and provides law enforcement agencies access
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to a national criminal justice databases used for tasks such
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as records check, vehicle registrations, and warrant information through the
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National Crime Information Center. During a special call meeting held
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February third, Williams explained that Kentucky State Police audit advised
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the management of CJIS system be transferred from the London's
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Police Department to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office affected immediately.
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The board approved that transfer at that meeting. Lawrel County
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Sheriff's John Root later told media that the FBI is
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investigating the LPD. At Monday's meeting, Williams said an amendment
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was needed to reflect the management change in the existing
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interlocal agreement. Need to make an amendment because the interlocal
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Agreement specifically specifies right now that the CJIS is under
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control of the city, and we just need to change
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the wording in an amendment, said Williams. Questions were raised
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by Acting London Police Chief Gary Mailler regarding why the
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agreement needed to be permanently changed before details surrounding the
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audit or complaint prompting the management shift were fully disclosed.
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Board members and representatives discussed whether the amendment simply updated
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the documentation to reflect actions already taken or constituted a
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more substantives change. LCSO Detective Taylor McDaniel explained that the
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amendment was necessary to ensure the agreement accurately reflected current operations. Chief.
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Mailer said the department's concern stemmed from lack of communication
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surrounding the change, noting that officials did not want the
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move to suggest any wrongdoing by the department. By us
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just coming in at least we're not having some kind
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of discussion on it appears as though we've done something wrong.
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We've not been informed yet. That's the only reason I've
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asked the question that I did, said Meyer. Nobody has
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told us. I just don't want to be I don't
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want it to appear that we have done something wrong.
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City attorney Larry Bryson said he has filed multiple open
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records requests in an effort to determine what prompted the
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management change and express hesitation about advising the city to
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move forward permanently without additional information. I've made several open
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record requests to different agencies to try to find out
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what caused this to happen. I've been told different things,
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said Bryson, So I would personally and on behalf of
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the city. I like to get to the bottom of
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this to see what actually is taking place before this
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agency makes or before I advise the city to make
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a permanent change. During the discussion, Bryson asked Laurel County
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Sheriff John Bot to clarify the matter was under investigation
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by the FBI, to which Route responded that it's not
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an inquiry the nc I see. The c JIS is
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national and the FBI is over it nationwide, but in
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Kentucky it's not. It's got to go with the state
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agency and the state and monitors the State of Kentucky.
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So that's why the FBI has the final sale on
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it all, said Bruy. Kentucky State Police gives them direction
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on their findings and then they determined them because the
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FBI is over it. When asked again if Kentucky State
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Police were conducting an investoration, said no, but noted that
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the KSP runs it here in reference to oversight of
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the CJIS system, adding that the FBI ultimately reports to
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KSP regarding the system's usage. Who came to the PD
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the other day was it KSP or the FBI, as
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Route Attorney Emily Campbell, who represents the London Police Department,
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who founded that she had spoken with the FBI on
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behalf of the department and said that the matter had
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been handed over to KSP. According to the FBI, but
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neither confirm nor deny an investigation into the matter. Root's
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question to whether or not the LPD had been visited
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by the FBI was neither confirmed nor denied. At the meeting,
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Williams emphasized that the directive to change the CJIS management
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came directly from the Kentucky State Police Auditors and was
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necessary to maintain continued system access. According to the email
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sent by Jolie Hall, the CJIS Compliance Supervisor a KSP,
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it states that the LPD is being placed in a
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Level A sanction causing total suspension of use of a
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CJIS network due to recent findings a CJIS misuse of
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the London Police Department. They are being placed in a
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Level A sanction causing total suspension of use of the
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CJIS network. The email read this includes access to the
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inquiry only terminal located in Police Department MDTS, as well
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as full access terminal located in the nine to one
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one in which they are the criminal Justice law enforcement
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agency with CJIS management control. The email further explains that
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with the suspension, the best portion of the Laurel County
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Sheriff's office to assume CJIS management control. It is also
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noted by Half that turning it over to the LCSO
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isn't the only option, as it can be authorized by
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any CJA slash l EA criminal Justice law enforcement agency
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as well as county attorneys that are in that are
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the MCA. Most are either PB or SO and have
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most usage at stake in access to the CG CJI.
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The email read in regards to the management control with
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county attorneys. We were never given any details what the
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process was in the investigation. It was privy to us,
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nor did they tell us, said Williams. They just told
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us that they wanted us to change as we quickly could,
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the management control to another agency in order to be
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able to keep operating. Williams said the request was communicated
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via email now from Joleee Hall that the Kentucky State
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Police Auditor's Office before Chairman Sheriff Root made a motion
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to approve the amended interlocal Agreement, which passed without opposition.
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Albright clarified that the amendment did not alter operations, but
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instead formerly inligne the agreement language with the previously approved
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management transfer. You're not changing anything that hasn't already been done,
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except the language in your interlocal agreement that was previously
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held under the LPD, said Albright. Regarding the questions surrounding
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the alleged investigation, FBI Louisville spokesperson Sarah Anderson said the agency,
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as a matter of long standing policy, either confirms nor
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denies the existence of specific investigators. The London City Council
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released a statement following the February three Special Call meeting
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and stated that they would be pursuing their own independent
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investigation pursuit KRSA three A dot one thirty thirteen. A
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special Call meetings schedule for Wednesday at noon was announced
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to consider two resolutions addressing the situation. The Sensinel Echo
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in Times Tribute also reached out to KSP in regards
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to open records request, but the request hadn't been fulfilled
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at press time. London Mayor Randall Weddle provided a comment
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saying I have no details on any investigation currently happening
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with the LPD. It appears city council and county officials
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have more information than my office. Politics do, while politics
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do and this article is Whtley inmate apprehended after escape
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during the hospital visit by Macy Swafford Corbin. An inmate
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who briefly escaped custody while receiving medical treatment at Baptist
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Health Corbyn was apprehended later the same day following the
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multi agent see search, according to authorities. Whitley County Detention
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Center officials said the incident occurred Saturday while the misty
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Ad Phillips, forty two, of Williamsburg, was receiving off site
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medical care at Baptist Health Corbyn. During the visit, Phillips
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assaulted a female detention officer and fled into a nearby
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wooded area. Local law enforcement agencies immediately responded, quickly securing
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the area and establishing a perimeter. Authorities said Phillips was
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located and taken into custody without further incident. The Corbyn
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Police Department announced phillips arrest, stating she was apprehended after
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a coordinated search effort involving multiple surrounding agencies. Police said
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the search utilized thermal imaging drones K nine units and
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coordinated foot searches and wooded terrain surrounding the hospital. Phillips
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u charges include first degree escape, third degree assault. Court
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records indicated she was also charged with resisting arrest, second
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degree fleeting or evading police on foot, second degree wants
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in the engagement, and first degree criminal mischief. Our next
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article is Whitley Judge Executive addressed is constable vacancy following
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Foley's passing by Massy Swafford Courting. During Tuesday's Southern Kentucky
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Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White
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Junior addressed the recent passing of first District Constable Blanie
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Foley and outlined how the vacant seat will be filled.
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White spoke finally of Foley's decades of public service and
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the impact he made across the county. Constable Foley was
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the longest serving constable in the state of Kentucky, serving
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forty years as Whitley County Constable, working for the school
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system and helping kids around school system for years and years,
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said White. Just a great man from a great family
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who's going to be surely missed. Foley's passing leaves District
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one constable position vacant during a regular election year. White
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said his office was received numerous questions from residents about
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how the process will unfold, particularly since Foley was unopposed
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for the upcoming term. Judge White explained that any appointment
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he makes would be temporary. I would only appoint until
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the election happens. So whoever, I point only takes office
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until November because it's a regular election season, said White.
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On top of that, we're already passed the date for
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the to file for the primary, so there's not a
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primary election in that office now because the deadline to
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file for the May primary has already passed. This concludes
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the reading of the Times Tribute. Please stay tuned for
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continued programming, and thank you for joining me in behalf
28:47
of everyone here at Radio le. This is Janics fishing
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you a very good day.