Mark White

The longest federal government shutdown in our country’s history is finally nearing its end with the United States Senate reaching a tentative deal this past Sunday evening. It wasn’t the first federal shutdown, and, unfortunately, it probably won’t be the last federal shutdown either. Every few years the Republicans and Democrats play this same tired, broken record with only a few song lyrics changed. The Washington politicians will bicker and barter with brinksmanship diplomacy waiting until right up until the very last moment to avoid a government shutdown or shutting the government down for days or weeks requiring many federal employees to work without paychecks until the shutdown is over. During the...

Anyone, who has driven over Kentucky Street in downtown Corbin, can tell you that it is a little rough in places to put it mildly. Let’s face it, the drive down Main Street could be a bit smoother too. While these two roadways go through the center of downtown Corbin, I don’t think that many people realize the roads aren’t technically city streets, but rather are federal roads maintained by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Based upon numerous conversations that I have had with Corbin officials over the years, I can assure you that they would like to see these two roadways repaved just as much as anybody else in town and...

When it comes to presents, what do you get somebody that has pretty much everything or most everything that they realistically want. That is a question that I often ponder when it comes time to buy presents for certain people like my dad, Mike White. He is retired so he doesn’t need work clothing. While he still plays golf some, he has enough golf balls at this point to do him for a couple of lifetimes. His favorite baseball team is the Detroit Tigers, and his favorite football team is the Detroit Lions, but there is only so much team paraphernalia that a person needs. You can also only wear so many U.K. shirts...

Weatherwise, Saturday proved to be a near perfect fall day with slightly cool temperatures in the morning making way for pleasant temperatures throughout the day for a few local events. Turnout was great in downtown Corbin for the annual Octoberfest celebration, which was held in conjunction with the final Cumberland Valley Cruise-In of the season. I think I attended all or pretty much all the Cumberland Valley Cruise-Ins this season. Turnout was great for each of them with several antique cars and trucks on display. I don’t know about anyone else, but I have always liked looking at antique cars. Vehicles from back in the 1950s and 1960s really had a lot...

If you are looking for something to do during the month of October here locally, then you are in luck as several events and celebrations are planned, including a full day of events this Saturday in downtown Williamsburg. The Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society & Museum will hold its 20th Annual Heritage Day on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. It is located at the old Williamsburg Train Depot off Main Street near the railroad crossing. There will be exhibits, tours, door prizes, and a scavenger hunt this year. This is a neat little event each year that showcases what the historical and genealogical society has to...

There are certain moments in your life that will forever be seared into your memory. Several years ago, I was in the office one morning when Trent Knuckles came in the door and informed us that a friend of mine had killed himself. I was in shock. I was floored. “I just spoke to him 24 hours ago!” I exclaimed. At the time, I didn’t have a clue anything was wrong. The friend and I had bumped into each other the prior day. We were both over at the courthouse waiting to speak to the same official. We hadn’t seen each other in a while. We chit chatted for probably half an hour as we...

This doesn’t have to keep happening! If you are having a baby or if you have a newborn infant at home that you just can’t take care of, then please know you have options, which would allow you to legally and anonymously surrender the newborn with no questions asked. One of these options is as close as the Corbin Fire Department. I bring this up following a recent incident in Fayette County where Lexington Police arrested a University of Kentucky student-athlete for concealing the birth of her infant child. Officers found the child dead in a trash bag inside the closet of her home. The mother allegedly admitted to officers that she...

Old Fashioned Trading Days is almost upon us so get ready to eat a ribeye steak sandwich from the Whitley County Cattlemen’s Association, check out some local craft vendors and enjoy three days of gospel, bluegrass, country or rock music in downtown Williamsburg. The 42nd Annual Williamsburg Old Fashioned Trading Days festival will take place Thursday – Saturday. The festival has grown significantly since it first started. Former WEZJ radio station co-owner Theresa Estes first founded the festival along with members of the Downtown Merchants Association in part to bring more people to downtown to shop. The festival initially got its name in part because of the old time, long dresses that the...

There is a recent Facebook meme that I love. An employee goes to Human Resources (HR) and asks if a new policy applies to him. The head of HR responds that given this employee is the reason for the policy and a few others, the answer to that question is most definitely yes. I can’t help thinking about this meme in regard to the 100 plus social media comments on a News Journal story last Wednesday about the Corbin City Commission’s plan to require a permit for people holding yard sales inside the city limits. I can’t help wondering if any of the commenters are the reason for the proposal. One part...

Another Nibroc celebration is in the books, and it was a good one as usual. While temperatures were warm this year, it wasn’t scorching hot. Overall, the weather cooperated to help make for a great festival again this year. Whether it was musical acts, good food, carnival rides or various sporting events, such as the volleyball and pickleball tournaments, this year’s festival truly had a little something for everyone. Kudos to the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, its Executive Director Bruce Carpenter, tourism, the downtown program, police, fire, public works, sanitation, the street department and numerous departments and people too numerous to name for a job well done. Most people don’t realize all...