Don Estep

It was surprising that there was a $3 million mistake in the published budget a couple of weeks ago for the City of Corbin. But it was not surprising that Commissioner Trent Knuckles discovered it. You see, Trent Knuckles is the best “watchdog” for governmental affairs that I have ever known. He showed us his expertise years ago when he became the editor of this newspaper. There were numerous occasions when Trent was questioning a budget, an ordinance or an action not only by the City of Corbin, but with other governmental and civic agencies. Trent’s major in college was political science and he showed us from the very beginning of employment...

Back from vacation, and now I need a vacation to rest up. Spending many hours in airports getting home was the worst part about our trip. It took 24 hours from Vancouver to Cincinnati. After hearing friends talk about going to Alaska for years and the “oohs and ahs” they said about it, my wife and I decided to see for ourselves what it was like. Some people call it a dream vacation. I call it okay. There is plenty of beautiful scenery. As for the animals, we see more in our yard than we saw in Alaska. We saw a couple of moose, a few caribou and a couple of...

I believe in vacations. When I worked at the Comprehensive Care Center our director, Roland Mullins, a very nice person, insisted we take vacations, clear our minds and come back refreshed ready to work harder and better than ever. That was good advice, but because of Covid I haven’t had a vacation in two years. Growing up, our family didn’t take vacations. We visited relatives out of town and that was about it. But after Judy and I were married we started having summer vacations, and that went on for over 50 years until 2020. Our first was to St. Petersburg, Fla. Where we stayed in the Princess Martha Hotel, a...

It is good to know that congress in Washington is getting near a compromise on gun legislation. It may not please everybody, but at least it is a start to controlling the slaughter that has happened with high capacity guns. Also, it is good to know that more funding will go for mental health. Although I have my doubts that it is strictly a mental health problem, funding is still needed for mental health issues. I ask, if this is a mental health issue, then why is it related only to males in America? Women have issues too, but they don’t shoot up the population. Neither are the males in other...

(Editor's note: While the Whitley Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Corbin, which is where you get driver's license, will be closing later this month, the Whitley County Clerk's Office in Corbin, which is where you pay your car taxes, will remain open.) Last week I read in this newspaper that the Circuit Court has issued approximately 10,000 driver’s licenses annually at its Corbin office. Let’s add the probable thousands that they issue at the courthouse in Williamsburg and you can easily see the inconveniences the lawmakers in Frankfort have placed on the thousands of people by changing the way we get our driver’s licenses. In the future you can get your...

Today, June 1st, marks the two best anniversaries in my life. Today is the 58th wedding anniversary for me and my wife, Judy. Also, today marks the 35th year I have been the publisher of this newspaper. The best thing that ever has happened to me was meeting and marrying Judy Holman,  daughter of Pauline and Bitsy Holman. We have three beautiful daughters and four grandchildren. I first saw Judy while working as a disc jockey at radio station WCTT through a window from the control room to one of the studios. My nephew, David Witt was with a group of students visiting the radio station and I asked him who...

Memorial Day on May 30 conjures images of hamburgers, hot dogs, swimming pools, and summertime for many Americans. But the last Monday in May serves, most importantly, as a time to honor those who died while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s a holiday steeped in somber American history and tradition. The day actually began as “Decoration Day,” following the Civil War, when mourners placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. Yes, Memorial Day has also come to signify the “unofficial” start of summer, but let’s remember the heroes who made it all possible. Most holidays are different from year to year, but for me Memorial Day...

Now you know who won. The anxiety level for the candidates can come down now as well as their many signs that cover the landscape. You have to admire all who ran for office. It is a tough thing to do. I did it once, but never again for me. I know what they have been through. Congratulations to the winners and now on to the general election in the fall. At that time we will weed out city and a few other races. But now for the most part, the primary has produced the winners of the county races. Our news editor, Mark White, is glad to see the election come...

For about a year and a half I was on the committee to plan the 100th anniversary celebration of Central Baptist Church. The Covid pandemic stopped us short of having the entire program last year and we postponed the “Homecoming” part of our celebration to this year. It took place this past Saturday outdoors on the parking lot adjacent to the church. The weather was fine, the food was good and the fellowship with people I had not seen in a long time was wonderful. We were entertained by the Fair Haven Quartet, minus their bass singer who is recovering from an illness. Fair Haven is a local group that has performed...

The response to my column last week was great. I had written about our need for a delivery driver and news reporters. We had advertised in several places, including the job opportunities listing by the Kentucky Press Association, for three weeks with no response. Then I wrote my column and we received several calls. I am very pleased to say that the first person to call about the delivery position has been hired. I even promised the other callers that if anything opened I would call them. As for the news reporter vacancy, I received four calls and we are interviewing this week for that position. I have worked in radio...