News

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Corbin man Monday afternoon for allegedly setting a series of fires. Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy David Dunn arrested Jacob Belew, 26, charging him with five counts of willfully setting fire on land not owned/controlled by self. At approximately 1:15 p.m., sheriff’s deputies were notified about a man allegedly setting wildfires in the Moore Hill area, according to a sheriff’s office release. West Knox Volunteer Fire Department responded to the flames, and firemen advised they had extinguished five fires from KY 1232 to Right Fork East Creek Road, the release stated. Sheriff Mike Smith and two deputies responded to the area attempting to locate the suspect. Smith...

Unemployment rates decreased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell, and McCreary counties between March and April 2026, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet. Whitley County Whitley County’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.4 percent in March 2026 to 3.8 percent in April 2026. Whitley County’s April 2026 unemployment rate was 0.1 percent lower than the April 2025 unemployment rate. Laurel County Laurel County’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5 percent in March 2026 to 5.0 percent in April 2026. Laurel County’s April 2026 unemployment rate was the same as the April 2025 unemployment rate, at 5.0 precent. Knox County Knox County’s unemployment rate decreased...

If you travel on KY 26 in Whitley County, then you might want to be prepared for some delays this week. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is advising motorists two railroad crossings along KY 26 will be closed this week. CSX Transportation will be doing crossing maintenance operations on two separate crossings. The first closure will start at 6 a.m. on Tuesday and end at 6 a.m. Thursday. It will be at the crossing located at mile point 1.75. The second closure will start at 6 a.m. Thursday and end at 6 p.m. Saturday. It will be at the crossing located at mile point 5.5. During both closures, motorists should follow the signed...

The Friends of the Corbin Public Library will be hosting a free Appalachian art exhibit starting at 6 p.m. on June 9. The featured artist will be Barbara Willingham, a retired local art teacher. Willingham will be "delving into her childhood growing up in Appalachia and how that has inspired her work," according to a Corbin Public Library release. The Friends of the Corbin Public Library will provide refreshments.  

Three law enforcement agencies are investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving the death of three people, which happened in southern Laurel County late Saturday evening. The apparent murder-suicide occurred after a police chase, which started in Knox County and ended on KY-312 in Keavy, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office. The three people, who died, were identified as James Priddy, 21, of Bimble, Jadence Ann Marie Hale, who was his alleged girlfriend, and Kira Lila Hope Asher 19, of Lily, according to a Laurel County Sheriff’s Office release. “All indications are that apparently James Priddy shot and killed Hale and Asher, then killed himself,” the Laurel County Sheriff Office wrote in...

Whitley County students Eli Browning and Scarlett Sprinkles recently participated in the University of Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy (NRESCi), with Browning becoming the first participant from the county to graduate from the program. “ a major milestone for our local program,” said Whitley County 4-H Youth Development Agent Lisa Jones. According to Jones, the program is designed to introduce youth to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and natural resource careers through hands-on experiences. Sprinkles is a returning participant and attended the educational trip to Tybee Island, Georgia, where students explored coastal ecosystems, participated in salt marsh fieldwork and learned about conservation practices. “This trip really changed how I...

Whitley County officials hosted a dedication ceremony for a new life jacket station on May 29 at the Ballard Ford Memorial River Access. The Life Jacket Loaner Station is a public outreach program of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The station at Ballard Ford Memorial River Access marks the 21st station in Kentucky since the launch of the program in 2021. Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White began the dedication by thanking Marcus Bowling, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife boating education coordinator and creator of the Life Jacket Loaner Station; Jerry Rains, Whitley County emergency management director; and the Whitley County school system, whose high school carpentry class constructed...

The Whitley County Farmer’s Market is held 5-8 p.m. every Tuesday in downtown Corbin. Local vendors like Kathy Lay and Natalia Munoz set up shop each week to sell crafts and art pieces, while others bring fresh produce and plants. Some vendors like Karen and Andy White and Micheal and Tanya Harrison of Pork Chop’s Pit BBQ bring full menus for the community to enjoy as they listen to featured live musicians.

Sarah McQueen with Dayspring Health partnered with the Williamsburg Independent School District to expand preventative care efforts during the Williamsburg Board of Education meeting on May 27, ensuring students throughout all grade levels with receive health care services. “We had been providing preventative dental care and medical care for grades K-5, but I said, ‘Hold on a minute. What about our 6-12 students? That data was astronomical,’” said Superintendent Tabetha Housekeeper. “We have created an opportunity to not just keep our partnership with Dayspring, but to make it a deeper partnership where all kids are being given the opportunity to continue preventative care.” The district has significantly increased health screening documentation...

The Corbin Rotary Club awarded 11 seniors $1,000 scholarships from Corbin High School and Lynn Camp High School during its May 30 meeting. Club members noted it was the largest turnout in memory for the annual event. The recipients were selected by the head of the scholarship committee, Mallory Davis, along with Kim Lovegrove and Lisa Kersey, following interviews with the applicants. Davis explained the scholarships are funded through the club’s annual golf outing and are part of Rotary’s ongoing support of local education. Each scholarship recipient introduced themselves, recognized family members in attendance and shared their college and career plans. Recipients also thanked Rotarians for selecting them for the scholarship. The following...