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Paul J. Douglas, owner of Clearfork BBQ Company in Williamsburg, recently earned third place in the 2026 American Royal World Series of Barbecue Sauce Contest in Kansas City, Missouri, with his signature sauce, “Bluesy Q.” Douglas said the competition is considered one of the biggest barbecue sauce contests in the country. This year’s contest featured 83 entries. This was not his first time competing in the contest. “I entered before, and I got seventh place, and this time I got third,” said Douglas. According to Douglas, six judges completed blind taste tests during the competition. Douglas received a score of 178.2972, while first place received a score of 180.0000. “I got several perfect scores,”...

Students at Corbin School of Innovation recently took part in “defenses of learning,” a student-led presentation designed to showcase their competence, growth and academic progress on May 8 at the Corbin Public Library. “It’s a chance for them to define their own success,” said Montessori Elementary teacher Brooke Sprinkles. Fifth and eighth grade students shared presentations that reflected their progress and the skills they developed throughout the school year. The presentations focused on collaboration, communication, creating and critical thinking. “I like to think of our school as a place where you get to learn and practice the skills that you’ll need to thrive in the real world,” said Sprinkles.

Students from the Corbin School of Innovation (SOI) partnered with the Corbin Garden Club on May 7 to beautify the Carnegie Library grounds through a pollinator garden project funded by an Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) grant. Students in grades 4-8 helped place planters, prepare soil and plant flowers around the library as part of the project. Rachel Johnson, a middle school Montessori Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teacher at SOI, said the project was funded by a $1,000 grant from EKU to help retore the Carnegie Library. “I thought that would be a great project to do,” said Johnson. Johnson said she talked with Carnegie Library board member Mark Daniels as restoration...

University of the Cumberlands President Dr. Quentin Young spoke to the Corbin Rotary Club on May 7 about the university’s growth, mission and continued focus on serving students in the region. Young is a Whitley County native and a former Corbin Rotary Club president. He shared updates on the enrollment process, service projects and how the university continues to work with students to prepare them for their future careers.

Congressman Andy Barr made an appearance at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center Monday morning as he campaigned to replace Mitch McConnell as U.S. Senator. Barr is one of 11 people seeking the Republican nomination in the May 19 primary. Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who is also seeking the Republican nomination, made a campaign stop at Williamsburg City Hall late Wednesday afternoon. The winner of the Republican Primary will square off against the winner of the Democratic Primary in the November General Election. There are seven people vying for the Democratic nomination.

Whether it was car tires, tractor tires or ATV tires, numerous local resident took advantage of the tire amnesty program held May 7-9 at Whitley County Sanitation to get rid of old tires. Inmates from the Whitley Co. Detention Center pitched in to help.

The City of Williamsburg is planning to kick off the summer on May 22 with a free drive-in movie and fireworks at the Kentucky Splash Waterpark. Mayor Roddy Harrison said he is still trying to decide what the movie will be. The Kentucky Splash waterpark will open the next day on May 23.

A pair of Corbin residents pleaded not guilty in Knox District Court on Thursday to allegations they endangered the welfare of a minor and were cruel to animals. Michael W. Flannery, 27, of N. Laurel Avenue, and Angellea C. Irvin, 33, of E. Caldwell Street, were both charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, three counts of second-degree cruelty to animals and confinement and control of female dog when in heat. Flannery was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Irvin is the children’s mother and Flannery is their father, said Knox County Sheriff Mike Smith. On May 13, Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy David Dunn received a call...

The Corbin High School Redhound Choirs presented their spring concert, “Dreamscapes,” on May 11 at the Betty Hamilton Center for the Arts ahead of the group's upcoming Disney performance later this month. Directed by Nick Hibbard, the performance featured the Concert Choir with songs like “A Million Dreams,” from the Greatest Showman and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and the Chamber Choir performing songs like “Dream On” by Aerosmith. The songs centered around the theme of dreams. Hibbard told the audience the concert theme was created after Disney guidelines prevented the choir from performing Disney songs during the trip. Hibbard also highlighted the choir's growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing Corbin High School...

Williamsburg is making plans to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday. During its regular monthly meeting Monday, the Williamsburg City Council approved a resolution supporting the United States semi-quincentennial. Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison said there will be a parade in conjunction with the Fourth of July. “One of the big things that we are going to have in July is an old-fashioned town picnic. The Hunt & The Harvest is going to get with us. We are going to be downtown. We are going to have some games for the kids and some bouncy stuff. We are going to just do an old-fashioned town picnic,” Harrison said. Councilwoman Laurel Jeffries West suggested having a...