Columns

I have been a licensed therapist for over twenty-eight years. I have also gone to church since I was a young child, which is many years longer than I have been in my career. Both my career and my faith are important to me. In the last week, I have heard two different faith-based people dismiss the importance of having counseling from a licensed therapist as an option. When people feel overwhelmed, lonely, or desperate for answers, they often turn first to the person they trust most in their community: their pastor or other faith leader. For many people, their pastor has been there during life’s most painful moments....

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...

In case you weren’t already aware, we here at the News Journal are conducting a special holiday subscription food drive through December 23. It’s a great way to help some folks out this holiday season, while also helping yourself to a great deal on a subscription to the newspaper. The guidelines are simple… just bring unexpired canned goods or non-perishable food items to our office, located at 215 N. Main Street in downtown Corbin. For every item that you drop off, you will receive a $1 discount on a new or renewal subscription. The only caveat is that there is a $10 limit on the discount. Feel free to bring...

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...

B oard meetings. Those two words rarely elicit an overly enthusiastic response.  In fact, many would say that “bored meetings” may often be a more apt description. When you hear about a board meeting, the mental images that are conjured probably include several people sitting around a table with some sort of an agenda placed in front of them. A numbered or bulleted list can be found on said agenda, and for 1-2 hours, each item on the list must be addressed according to proper procedure. There is discussion. There are motions. Motions are seconded. Votes are taken. It all gets recorded in the minutes, there is adjournment, and everyone disperses. Now, this...

We reached a major milestone in the Sherman household over the weekend as my son, Connor, turned 13. I am extremely proud of Connor, who has always been a good kid and a great student. For the past two years, he has been a member of the band at Corbin Middle School, playing in the percussion section. He has also taken up playing the electric guitar at home, and has made incredible progress with it. Admittedly, the pre-teen stage has not always been easy. In fact, many days have been quite difficult. We all navigated our way through it, however, and now we collectively prepare to embark on a new adventure...

A few days ago, News Journal Publisher Trevor Sherman sent me a text which read, “I just heard that KY and Main streets will be paved in 2026.” A few minutes later, News Journal News Editor Mark White sent me an e-mail which read, “I thought you might be interested, I heard KY and Main streets will be paved next year.” Later that evening, while attending the local football game, a fan next to me said, “Have you heard that they are going to pave Kentucky Street next year?” If you have been keeping score, you’ll know why everyone was so eager to inform me about the paving. For the...

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...

In my time here at the News Journal, I have had the opportunity to witness several history-making achievements by our coverage area athletic programs. Many classic contests have taken place over the years with district championship titles on the line, and the same can be said for a long list of regional championship encounters as well. I have also had the chance to watch many of our local student-athletes compete for statewide championships, with some being successful in their quests to bring state titles back home with them. When I think back on all that has transpired, it is difficult to say which individual accomplishments were the most consequential. I can...