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Several homes in far eastern Whitley County now have water service. The Whitley County Fiscal Court held a special meeting Friday to approved claims for engineering services and a waterline expansion to some homes in the far Eastern portion of Whitley County from KY-11 to the Bell County line along Limestone Branch, Harps Creek Trace Branch and other roads in that area. “It is places that have needed water for a long time. We are excited for them to be able to get it,” said Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. The project is being paid for through a state grant with the fiscal court receiving the funds and then paying contractors...

More than three dozen people turned out Saturday to help raise awareness about suicide and to walk in honor of 16-year-old Whitley County High School student Bethany Faith Lawson, who took her own life in 2018. In August 2018 over the course of a 24-hour period, Lawson became one of three people, and one of two teenagers in Whitley County to die by suspected suicide over a 24-hour period. Bethany’s Hope was founded in dedication and memory of Lawson as a suicide prevention, awareness and support program in Williamsburg. The Bethany’s Hope event took place Saturday at the Green Space on Main in downtown Williamsburg. “It is a tribute to my daughter but...

  Residents at Corbin Health and Rehabilitation donned their pink, sparkles and cowboy hats for Dolly Day. The event was hosted on 9/25, which is in reference to Parton’s famous song “9 to 5”. The event featured some of Dolly’s classic hits, Dolly inspired food and more.

Not everyone is a fan of the Corbin Independent School District’s new tax rates, which were approved during a meeting last Wednesday. The Corbin Independent Board of Education heard from two community members concerning the new tax rates. Community member Mary Ann Howard told the board she doesn’t think the tax rates take senior citizens under consideration. She noted her household is paying taxes on a one-family income, and she thinks the taxes are getting out of control. “I think there needs to be something put in here for people on a fixed budget,” Howard said. “We can’t do it as seniors.” After the meeting, Board member Paul Taylor suggested one way senior...

Finances are up this year for the Corbin Independent School District. During the Corbin Independent Board of Education’s Sept. 23 special meeting, the board approved the fiscal year 2026-2027 working budget, which totals $54,644,526.89 over nine different funds with $37,906,502.47 in the general fund. The 2026-2027 fiscal year started on July 1, 2026, and will end of June 30, 2027. Chief Financial Officer Rhonda Moore said the working budget includes a 10.8 percent contingency fund with 72 percent of the money coming from the state. Moore added like many people at home, she is watching the price of fuel and particularly diesel fuel closely due to concerns about transportation expenses. “About November, I will...

Prosecutors are recommending a five-year prison sentence for a Williamsburg woman, who is accused of assaulting a sheriff’s deputy in late August. Amber Powers, 46, was indicted by information on Sept. 21 on a charge of third-degree assault of a police officer. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to forego pursuing a persistent felony offender charge against Powers. A persistent felony offender charge increases the penalty range a person is facing on their underlying charge. On Aug. 23, Powers allegedly had a physical altercation with Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Harris and attempted to cause physical injury, according to her indictment by information. The incident occurred after Harris responded at...

First responders see a lot of tragedy as they work frantically trying to save someone’s life at an emergency scene. Calls concerning children are often the hardest. Most of the time, they do not even know the outcome after they get the patient to the hospital. This is part of the reason why last Thursday’s event at the Air Evac Lifeteam 179’s base in London was so special as 15-month-old Nora Trejo was reunited with some of the people, who helped save her life after a near drowning earlier in the month. “We very rarely get to see these success stories. All too often they turn out the other way. All...

October is shaping up to be a busy month in Williamsburg with several events planned. The Williamsburg Police Department Fourth Annual Golf Scramble is scheduled for Friday. Proceeds will benefit the Williamsburg Police Department Shop with a Cop program, which takes less fortunate children on Christmas shopping sprees. This year’s scramble will take place at the Middlesboro County Club. The cost is $400 for a four-player team. This includes green fee and golf cart. It begins at 9 a.m. Lunch will be provided by Triple L BBQ. Heritage Day The Whitley County Historical and Genealogical Society will hold its annual Heritage Day on Saturday at the old L&N Depot building on Main Street. This...

On the outside, it looks like a building expansion project, but in reality, it is more about expanding opportunities than anything else. Dozens of business, political and community leaders converged on the newly renamed Robert Stivers Conference and Convention Center Monday evening to cut the ribbon on the nearly completed project. “It's going to create all these opportunities that we've really never had before because we did not have the space,” said Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus. “It's going to help us to continue to grow and thrive.” The project, which was announced in 2023, is now mostly complete. The facility now boasts a 15,000-foot expansion and is neighbors with the newly built Fairfield...

A $100,000 cash bond has been set for a Barbourville man, who was indicted by the Knox County Grand Jury Friday on strangulation, assault and robbery charges. The grand jury indicted Kenneth Russell Woolum, 43, on charges of first-degree strangulation, second-degree assault, first-degree robbery, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and second-degree unlawful imprisonment. On June 27, Wollum allegedly intentionally impeded the normal breathing or circulation of blood of the victim by using his hands to apply pressure on her throat without consent, according to the indictment. Woolum also allegedly used physical force causing physical injury to the victim while committing a theft, including beating her with his fists and a...