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By John Curtis White The NBA finals just concluded, and it was one of the most exciting finals in recent history. The New York Knicks ended up winning in 5 games to end a drought that had lasted since 1973. One reason that this year’s finals was so exciting was the fact that the Spurs led by 10 or more points in every single game. Here is my recap of the 2026 NBA finals. First, Game 1 where the Knicks won 105-95 in San Antonio. At one point in Game 1, the Spurs were up 65-51 with 6:31 left to go in the 3rd quarter and ended up choking the game...

Two local students were recognized for their artwork in the annual Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl original drawing contest. The contest is a way for students to demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention and environmental conservation principals. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and the National Garden Clubs. For more than 50 years, the contest has encouraged students in first through fifth grade to create original artwork to help convey Smokey Bear’s message of, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!” and Woodsy Owl’s message of, “Lend a Hand, Care for the Land.” This year’s local winners include third grade student Matthias Jackson and fifth grade student Madelyn...

That’s What I Thought by Diane Taylor Roberts Thirty Years Ago I made several really good friends while attending Cumberland College in the late 70’s and I am still friends with all of them today.  I had lost touch with one dear friend, Carolyn Bargo Bowman.  We were such good friends in college, we graduated, then I moved to Tennessee and we lost contact with one another.  By chance we met in Williamsburg again in 2024.  True friendships are timeless.  Decades can pass, yet when you reunite, the conversation flows and you pick up right where you left off. It is the beautiful realization that some bonds are never broken...

Two Corbin Middle School students spoke in support of their teacher who was slated for non-renewal at a Corbin Board of Education meeting on June 18. Incoming 8th grade students Dillan Roaden and Mat Vey Antonov asked the Board to reconsider the non-renewal status of Chandler Powell, a PE teacher and coach of the track and field team at Corbin Middle School. “I had Mr. Powell as a teacher over the past two years, and he showed me not only how to be a better student, but a better athlete, person and Christian,” Roaden said. He said beyond the personal effect Powell had on him, he also led the track and field...

Whitley County High School tennis players Jackson McLaughlin and Micah Jones were recognized by Superintendent John Siler during the Whitley County Board of Education meeting on June 18 for capturing the boys double regional championship and advancing to state. The duo helped lead the Colonels to a region runner-up finish and advanced to the Sweet 16 at the state tournament. Tennis Coach Colordo Gearheart praised the two students for their work ethic and dedication throughout the season. “The hard work they put in is what makes it easy to brag on,” said Gearheart. Gearheart said the boys team finished 19-3 on the season, with the team’s only losses being from opponents who also...

Officers from the Corbin Police Department received Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for each active patrol car in the city as a donation from the Corbin Rotary Club on June 18. Rotary President Todd Peeler presented four AEDs to Assistant Police Chief Coy Wilson and Detective Robert Hodge to be kept inside active patrol cars. According to the American Red Cross, an AED is a user-friendly medical device that analyzes a heart’s rhythm to administer the correct amount of electrical shock to return it to an effective rhythm. In the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, first responders will have the AEDs readily available to assist on site. “Since we are generally...

Whitley County Superintendent John Siler received a rating of exemplary in all seven leadership standards during his summative evaluation by the Whitley County Board of Education meeting on June 18. The board went into executive session at 5:47 p.m. to conduct preliminary discussion relating to the evaluation of the superintendent. Superintendent John Siler presented his evidence for each area to the board with a presentation and exited the room at 6:37 p.m. The board then returned to regular session at 6:43 p.m. to announce Siler received all exemplary ratings. “I’d just like to say I appreciate our superintendent,” said board member Brenda Rose. “He works hard for us. I think he’s probably...

Williamsburg Independent Schools has a new assistant principal. School officials announced Todd Mattingly would fill the role in a social media announcement on Tuesday. Mattingly has more than 25 years of education experience, serving as both a middle and high school history teacher. Throughout his career, he has been heavily involved in athletics and extracurricular activities, serving as head coach in football, softball, basketball and track at the middle school level. At the high school level, Mattingly served as assistant football coach, assistant athletic director and worked as a senior sponsor. He spent years supporting local youth through Little League baseball and softball. “We are excited for the knowledge, leadership and passion he brings...

The Whitley County Fiscal Court approved an application for a COPS Hiring Grant during the June 16 meeting. Judge-Executive Pat White, Jr. said the grant could help fund additional school resource officers (SROs) in county schools. Project Director Amber Owens said the county is looking to add two school resource officers through the grant program. “I think having a school resource officer at every county school would be a big asset to our community,” said White. Later in the meeting, the board approved a contract between the Fiscal Court and the Whitley County Board of Education pertaining to school resource officers for the 2026-2027 school year. “I think everything has been a pretty...

A Laurel Circuit Judge ruled Tuesday London Mayor Randall Weddle is not a bona fide candidate for the upcoming London mayoral election in November. In late April, 13 people filed suit in London Circuit Court to determine whether Weddle lived in London for one year and could run for re-election as mayor or whether he lived in Keavy and was ineligible to run. “Ultimately, upon a thorough review of all the evidence of record and the applicable law, it is the opinion of the Court that the totality of the circumstances demonstrates that the London property may be a place where Weddle transacts business, but it is not his home nor...