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The 2024 Kayaking for Kids event, which took place Saturday on the Cumberland River, is expected to generate a record amount of money for Upward Basketball programs in Corbin and Williamsburg, and for family resource centers at the eight elementary schools across Whitley County, Corbin and Williamsburg. Final numbers aren’t in yet, but the race is expected to generate between $24,000 - $25,000. The race started at Whitley County’s river access point at Croley Bend and a total of 68 kayaks, boats and canoes along with at least one refrigerator crossed the finish line at Red Bird Bridge although there is no evidence the refrigerator submitted an entry form or paid...

Area residents may have likely noticed ongoing construction at the corner of E. 2nd Street and Main Street for quite some time now. What hasn’t been as apparent until somewhat recently, however, is what that space was going to be used for. But it is now official, Main Street in downtown Corbin will soon be adding a regional favorite to its selection of dining options: Apollo Pizza. Apollo Pizza first opened its doors in Richmond in 1981 primarily as a takeout-style restaurant and continued as low-key spot for locals and college students for over 30 years, with the business only changing hands once in that time. In 2012, the then-owner of...

Photo by TIMOTHY WYATT Local bluegrass band Tidalwave Road played the Country Meets City event last Friday at the Green Space on Main in downtown Williamsburg. The group signed to Pinecastle Records earlier this year and released their  first EP with that label in May, titled “The Bonfire Sessions.” Last week’s Country Meets City event was the last of Williamsburg’s summer music concerts for the year. 

The new roundabout along Fifth Street Road has recently been opened to motorists, but those who live in the area can likely still expect ongoing work most of which will be done in about three weeks. Though the roadway itself is finished, a number of other items have still yet to be installed. Les Dixon, public information officer for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 11, which handles Whitley County, told the News Journal on Monday that crews will still be on-site for quite some time. “The roadway is currently open to traffic, but likes some concrete intersections, lighting, minor surfacing and final clean-up,” said Dixon via email. “We estimate that it will take...

For the first time in over two decades, the iconic Lane Theater in downtown Williamsburg is under new ownership, which has once again sparked renewed hope in local citizens that the building may get a new lease on life after sitting mostly dormant for so long. Opening its doors for business in the summer of 1948, the Lane Theater has been a fixture of Williamsburg for generations despite officially closing in November 1987 after the original owner and operator, Foster Lane, retired. After closing, it did house court proceedings for Whitley County during a remodel of the old courthouse, but has remained unused since that time. A local entrepreneur is hoping...

Photos by TIMOTHY WYATT Williamsburg Independent High School students participating in the Learn and Earn program through the Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) congregated in the school’s auditorium last Friday morning for a lecture from Amon Couch, director of programs for PRI and former Williamsburg Independent superintendent, on leadership. The Learn and Earn program allows selected students to gain valuable professional experience by working with local organizations in fields that the students have an interest in pursuing as a career. The students are also compensated for their time. Following Couch’s lecture, students “graduating” from the program were provided with laptops and backpacks.      

Photo by TIMOTHY WYATT A portion of Savoy-Clear Creek Road was closed off for several hours Saturday morning and into the afternoon after a truck left the roadway and went over an embankment, where it was lodged against a tree just above the river. Officials at the scene said the driver, identified as Roger Wilson, had a medical emergency while driving. No injuries were reported.

Appreciating the classics: Over 100 vehicles turned out for Saturday’s Cumberland Valley Cruise In, which took place on Main Street in downtown Corbin.

   Photos by TIMOTHY WYATT  A School Ready Bash was held last Thursday at the Williamsburg Housing Authority’s newly-renovated community center on Mackey Avenue. The event was held in partnership with the Williamsburg Independent School District and Whitley County School District and the respective school’s Save the Children programs. Attendees received everything from clothes to books. There was also a number of activities available for children to partake in, from a foam pit to face painting to a petting zoo.        

Whether it was inflatables for children to play on, a variety of food to chose from, a patriotic costume contest for adults and children or fireworks for the grand finale, there was a little something for everyone at this year's Independence Day celebration held at the Corbin Arena on July 3.