Breaking News

A Gray man is in what police describe as “very critical condition” after he was hit by a car at the intersection of U.S. 25E and Ky. 233 Tuesday afternoon. Kentucky State Police have identified the man as 25-year-old Josh Wren. Wren was reportedly attempting to cross 25E at the light when he was struck by a2016 Nissan Altima driven by 59-year-old George Fickau of Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Wren’s grandfather, who was on the scene, said he had the opportunity to speak with his grandson as we waited in an ambulance for an Air Evac helicopter to arrive at the scene. It is unknown why Wren was attempting to cross the highway. After the...

A joint effort by Corbin Police, Williamsburg Police, Knox County Sheriff’s Department and Constable Ron Bowling has resulted in the arrest of six people in connection with a home burglary in Corbin Sunday afternoon. Corbin Police Detective Rusty Hedrick said three of the individuals, 23-year-old James R. Wagers, 24-year-old Tabatha Gray-Wagers, and 20-year-old Kaleb Mitchell, all of Williamsburg, have been charged in connection with the actual burglary. The other individuals, identified as 55-year-old Howard Gibson, 27-year-old Christina Eversole, and 37-year-old Cleveland Gibson, all of Woodbine have been charged with receiving stolen property after officers reported approximately $3,500 worth of the stolen property at their residence on Bass Lane. Hedrick said about 2:30...

A Williamsburg woman, who is already serving a 10-year prison sentence for manslaughter for her role in the killing of her two-year-old daughter in 2013, now has three more years in prison to serve. Trina Michelle White, 38, had been scheduled to stand trial on May 17 in connection with a 2013 indictment that charged her with two counts of receiving stolen property under $10,000. Instead, she pleaded guilty to both charges in exchange for prosecutors recommending a three-year prison sentence that is to be served consecutively, or in addition to her sentence in the manslaughter case. Whitley Circuit Judge Paul Winchester scheduled formal sentencing for June 20. White's co-defendant, Jason Davis, pleaded...

A Williamsburg man allegedly unsuccessfully tried to evade police by jumping into a pond early Saturday evening. Bryan E. Jones, 44, pleaded not guilty Monday afternoon to charges of first-degree fleeing or evading police, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest, second-degree wanton endangerment and illegal possession of a legend drug. District Judge Cathy Prewitt scheduled a May 31 preliminary hearing, appointed the public advocate's office to represent Jones and set a $5,000 bond in his case Monday. The incident started about 6:16 p.m. Saturday when Kentucky State Police Sgt. Tony Dingess was searching for Harold Keisling, who had allegedly fled from police on foot at the Canadatown Market. Dingess said Keisling was at...

A Corbin man, who has had three felony cases against him dismissed with prejudice recently, which means that the charges can't be filed again, had a request granted Monday afternoon to have his trial on his sole remaining charge moved to another county due in part to pre-trial publicity. Tristan Hall, 32, is charged with hindering prosecution or apprehension in connection with a 2014 case. "I think it is appropriate to change the venue in this case," Special Judge Skip Hammons, who is a district judge for Knox and Laurel counties, announced during a brief hearing Monday afternoon in Whitley District Court. Hammons agreed to move the trial to Laurel County, which...

A Corbin man indicted Friday in Laurel County for allegedly beating his twin brother to death with a hammer will not face the death penalty. A grand jury indicted 30-year-old Antonio T. Johnson on one count of murder. Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele, whose office will be prosecuting the case, explained that under Kentucky law there must be an aggravating circumstance in a case in order for the death penalty to be applicable. Steele said that circumstance may include an accompanying burglary, rape, robbery or kidnapping charge, or the death of two or more people. Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 20 to 50 years or life in prison. Steele explained that even if Johnson...

Two Williamsburg women have received 90-day jail sentences for failing to report the alleged sexual abuse of a child. Both Sarah Lively, 40, and Amber Lively, 29, pleaded guilty on May 4 to a misdemeanor charge failure to report child dependency, neglect or abuse in exchange for prosecutors recommending a probated jail sentence for each woman. District Judge Fred White agreed to probate the remainder of the 90-day jail sentences for both women. Amber Lively had already served 76 days in custody and Sarah Lively had already served 74 days in custody. In addition, White ordered each of them to pay court costs. The duo were arrested on Nov. 19 along with Arnold...

An area man is expected to be flown out by emergency medical helicopter to the University of Tennessee Medical Center following a vehicle versus pedestrian crash that happened Tuesday afternoon near Crossroads Market in Gray. The accident happened about 4:15 p.m. Knox County EMS transported the victim to Baptist Health Corbin where an emergency medical helicopter is expected to pick him up for transport to Knoxville. West Knox Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene. For additional details see Wednesday's edition of the News Journal.  

A Richmond man drown Monday night near the spillway at Laurel Lake. Whitley County Coroner J. Andrew Croley pronounced 21-year-old Zachary Anderson dead at the scene about 9:30 p.m. Woodbine Search and Rescue and Oak Grove firefighters were called to the beach at the spillway about 8 p.m. in response to a 911 call of a possible drowning. Whitley County Emergency Management Director Danny Moses said Anderson went under in the cove between the beach and the shoreline on the Whitley County side of the lake. Witnesses reported that Anderson and a friend had walked from the beach across the bridge and along the shoreline. However, as they were returning, they elected to...

A tip on suspected drug activity that was provided by Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird led federal and Laurel County law enforcement to a London home Sunday morning where they recovered one-half pound of crystal methamphetamine and more than $100,000 in cash. Laurel County Sheriff John Root said law enforcement arrested 32-year-old Dustin Higginbotham on charges of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance – methamphetamine – second or greater offense and first-degree wanton endangerment. Based on the information Bird provided, law enforcement secured a search warrant for the house on Chippewa Lane. Laurel County Sheriff’s Detective James Sizemore along with Bird and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents went to the residence...