Mark White

Wow. The organizers and participants of this year’s Williamsburg Feels Like Home Christmas Parade out did themselves Saturday night. While I haven’t been to all the Williamsburg Christmas parades over the past 30 years, I have been to most, and this was one of, if not the best one that I have personally witnessed. There were numerous floats with varying themes, antique vehicles, emergency service vehicles and various groups marching down Main Street. Hundreds braved the cold to turn out and watch the parade. Great job everyone. Also, Williamsburg’s Hanging of the Green celebration on Dec. 6 has turned into a nice little festive way to start the holidays. This is a simple 30-minute...

There is an old saying that there are only two certainties in life, death and taxes. I think we probably need to add a third one to that list. Change. After all, it is inevitable. Some are big and some are small. Some are good and some are bad, but no matter how hard we might try to fight it, change is going to happen. Publisher Trevor Sherman, reporter Leeann Fragosa and myself spent some time talking about upcoming change at the News Journal this past week. Fortunately, it is nothing too major. For instance, we have been discussing getting new computers office-wide for the first time in several years. I have had my current...

I was both sad and happy to learn two weeks ago that Whitley County Clerk Carolyn Willis has decided not to seek re-election and will retire at the end of her term in office next year. I am sad in the sense that I will miss my friend. I usually see Carolyn once or twice a week when I go to the county clerk’s office to type in deeds and marriage licenses for our public records page. Carolyn and I will often get into discussions about the latest happenings in the county, politics and life while I am down there. We are both fond of travelling and will get into discussions...

If history is any indication, just because Kentucky State Police (KSP) have referred their findings in the Doug Harless investigation to a special prosecutor, this doesn’t mean that criminal charges will be coming against the London police officers involved in his Harless’ death, or against the officer, who fired the fatal shots. Many of Harless family, friends along with members the general public have been clamoring for justice for the last 11 months, but they should prepare themselves for this possibility in the coming weeks or months that the justice they want won’t be coming. If you live in either Laurel, Whitley or Knox counties, then chances are – unless you...

This year marks a milestone in Williamsburg as the 20th Annual Williamsburg Police Department Shop with a Cop program is slated to take place next month at the Williamsburg Walmart. If you want to see something to make your heart melt, then you should come out and see it on Dec. 18. I remember when it all started. In 2005, then Williamsburg Police Officer Kenny Shaw helped spearhead the effort to raise $2,000 to take underprivileged children on $100 Christmas shopping sprees at the Williamsburg Walmart. It seemed like kind of a daunting task that first year. Thanks to the efforts of the Williamsburg Police Department, pretty much everyone, who worked over...

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...