Business

Unemployment rates fell in 64 Kentucky counties between June 2015 and June 2016, including Knox County, rose in 49 counties, including Laurel County, and remained the same in seven (Fleming, Henderson, Morgan, Simpson, Trigg, Trimble and Whitley), according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. Whitley County's unemployment rate stayed at 7.2 percent in both June 2015 June 2016. This was a 0.7 percent increase from the May's rate. Whitley County tied Fulton and Livingston counties with the 37th highest June unemployment rate in Kentucky. Knox County's unemployment rate fell from 8.5 percent in June 2015 to 8.3 percent in...

Baptist Health Corbin, Baptist Health Lexington and Baptist Health Richmond were among a select group of hospitals nationwide recognized for promoting enrollment in state organ donor registries in a national campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The campaign has added 400,000 donor enrollments to state registries nationwide since 2011. The hospitals conducted awareness and registry campaigns that educated staff, patients, visitors and community members about the critical need for organ, eye and tissue donors. The hospitals earned points for each activity implemented between May 2015 and April 2016. Baptist Health Richmond and Baptist Health Lexington were awarded platinum recognition by HRSA,...

Baptist Health Corbin is continuing its fundraising efforts to equip its new neonatal intensive care unit with the annual Baptist Golf Classic. All proceeds will go to the effort. The deadline for registration and sponsorship of the 21st annual event, which will be held at Wasioto Winds Golf Course in Pineville, is Monday. The entry fee is $200 per person. Baptist Health Corbin Director of Marketing Debbie Hardin, who is organizing the event, said the entry fee covers the participant’s cart and green fee. In addition, participants will receive breakfast and lunch, a zip up golf jacket and a goodie bag, “All of the participants will have the opportunity to participate in the...

As a 20-year-old visiting the United States from his native France, Euro Sticks President and owner Frédéric Debacker said it was his encounter with a Kansas farmer that sold him on the idea that America would be a good place to do business. Debacker said the man taught him, over short period of time one summer, to work heavy harvesting machinery he’d never have the confidence to learn on his own. “I had never done anything like that before, but he trusted me. He said, ‘yes, you can do it. Just do it,’” Debacker recalls. “After a few months of training on his farm, I came back to Europe and I...

Two months ago Whayne Supply employees were advised that layoffs were coming. On Tuesday morning, the employees found out just how many jobs are being cut. Now employees must wait until Friday to find out if they are the fortunate ones who are keeping their jobs. A source close to the company said Whayne Supply President and CEO Monty Boyd addressed employees at the company’s 17 facilities across Kentucky and southern Indiana via satellite, announcing that 87 employees, or approximately 7 percent of the 1,300 employees would be losing their jobs. “That is hourly and salaried employees,” the source said noting that Boyd said the layoffs would affect all areas from...

Unemployment rates fell in 91 Kentucky counties between May 2015 and May 2016, including Knox, Whitley and Laurel counties, rose in 24 counties, and remained the same in five counties, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. Whitley County's unemployment rate fell from 7.1 percent in May 2015 to 6.5 percent in May 2016. This was a 0.3 percent increase from the April's rate. Whitley County tied Fulton County with the 38th highest May unemployment rate in Kentucky. Knox County's unemployment rate fell from 8.4 percent in May 2015 to 7.6 percent in May 2016. Knox County had the...

Assorted aircraft, numerous cars and military vehicles of all types will be on display Saturday as the London-Corbin Airport holds its 11th annual open house. Airport Manager Larry Corum said the planes will range from a Jenny Bi-plane of World War I vintage, to an A-4 Skyhawk, an attack plane used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in Vietnam to provide close air support. Corum said 25 to 30 aircraft will be on display on the ramp outside the terminal. In addition to seeing the aircraft up close, visitors will have the opportunity to take a ride in some of them. Corum said rides will be $25 per person for a flight...

The city of Corbin voted earlier this month to “stack” an additional one percent tax on the gross wages of workers in the Knox County portion of the city, but the move has drawn opposition from two of the area’s largest business advocacy groups. The Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously last Thursday to oppose the measure during its regular monthly meeting. Subsequently, the Knox County Chamber of Commerce board of directors held a similar vote to oppose the move. In a letter to Corbin City Manager Marlon Sams, and members of the city’s five-member Board of Commissioners, the Southern Kentucky Chamber board noted that the city...

The Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce held its monthly membership luncheon last Tuesday at the Cumberland Inn in Williamsburg with featured speaker, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Manager Roy Johnson. Johnson spoke on the recent visit from Governor Matt Bevin and his “Refreshing the Finest” campaign that provides $18 million in additional funding to Kentucky State Parks. Of that $18 million, over $1 million has already went towards projects at Cumberland Falls. “When I started looking at the price of all the projects they have going, its well-over a million dollars going into the falls itself. It is very well needed and it’s past due,” said Johnson. This includes the repairs made to...

With the popularity of war themed video games and the reality of military action taking a strong hold over the youth of today, many wish to live out their battle fantasies. Now, thanks to the help of HALO, local residents can do so in a fun and safe environment. An airsoft course started its opening weekend Friday, June 3, in Williamsburg on HWY 92 just off Exit 11 across from KY Splash Water Park. HALO, also known as hardcore airsoft local operations, is owned and operated by retired U.S. Navy Seal Ross Munro. “Our weekend went well, I think the weather kept a couple people away maybe, but all that came...