News

Whitley Circuit Judge Dan Ballou followed the plea agreements and sentenced a Corbin man Monday afternoon to a largely probated prison sentence for violating graves and drug possession. Dusten Powers, 41, pleaded guilty on May 13 to a charge of violating graves in one case, and first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) in a second case. On Nov. 5, 2024, Powers violated graves by knowingly and unlawfully removing ornaments placed upon graves in the Bark Camp Creek Cemetery, according to his indictment. Ballou sentenced Powers to a five-year prison sentence in the violating graves case but agreed to probated all but six months of that sentence as part of the plea...

An 18-year-old East Bernstadt man allegedly shot a man last month at an apartment off American Greeting Card Road because the man shorted him on a bag of marijuana, according to an arrest warrant in the case. Laurel District Judge Skip Hammons Jr. entered a not guilty plea for Zachary Setser during his arraignment Friday morning on a charge of attempted murder. Hammons appointed the Office of Public Advocacy to represent Setser and set a $100,000 bond in his case. Hammons also ordered that Setser have no contact with the victim. Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Setser of Willow Branch Road about 9:24 p.m. on July 9 off American Greeting Card Road...

Superintendent Dave Cox was honored and celebrated for his retirement after 33 years and one month of service to Corbin Independent Schools at a special ceremony on Tuesday, July 15 in Edwards Gymnasium at Corbin Elementary School. Cox’s career has touched nearly every corner of the district, from teacher to coach, to principal and administrator, to finally superintendent. Cox was recognized for his dedication and commitment to the Redhound community. The gym was filled with decorations, photos of Cox, food, gifts, and members of the school community. Most attendees proudly wore red, showing their gratitude and heartfelt appreciation. When asked about how he felt about the outpouring support, Cox said, “It’s incredible.”...

A Corbin man is now free on a $50,000 cash bond after being arrested Friday evening for allegedly endangering two people by firing a gun towards them earlier this month. Stephen Glen Davis, 55, of Beverly Road, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Monday in Whitley District Court to a first-degree wanton endangerment (discharge of a firearm) charge, filed in two different cases involving two people. Judge Fred White scheduled a July 22 preliminary hearing in both cases and ordered that Davis bond remain at $25,000 cash in both cases. According to the Whitley County Detention Center’s website, Davis had been released on bond by 4:15 p.m. Monday. The allegations in both cases...

Platinum-certified, Grammy-nominated artist and songwriter Anne Wilson will return to her home state of Kentucky for a special benefit concert at the Corbin Arena on Aug. 11 to raise funds for families and communities impacted by the deadly tornado that struck Eastern Kentucky this May. The May 16-17 tornadoes, straight-line winds and severe storms claimed the lives of 20 people statewide. Officials have confirmed that an EF-4 tornado struck parts of London and Laurel County damaging approximately 1,500 homes and killing 17 people just in Laurel County. All proceeds from the show will benefit tornado recovery efforts in the region, supporting both The Sheppard Family Foundation’s direct work with families in...

Sponsors are still being sought for the Ninth Annual Kayaking for Kids boat race, which will take place Aug. 9 in Whitley County. Kayaking for Kids is an annual kayak, jon boat and canoe race along the Cumberland River in Whitley County. Last year 75-100 people turned out for the race, and organizers distributed over $20,000 in race proceeds for scholarships to Upward Basketball programs in Corbin and Williamsburg in addition to funds for school family life centers throughout Whitley County, Corbin and Williamsburg. Whitley County Projects Director Amber Owens said that potential sponsors have until week’s end to sign up to sponsor the race so organizers will have time to get...

The Whitley County Grand Jury indicted a Williamsburg man Monday for the attempted murder of his adult son earlier this year. The grand jury issued its monthly report Monday and indicted Ricky M. Anderson, 55, of Lot Mud Creek Road, for attempted murder (domestic violence) and for three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment (discharge of a firearm). On March 5, Ricky M. Anderson allegedly intentionally discharged multiple firearms in the direction of his adult son, who was living in his home, according to the indictment. The wanton endangerment charges stem from allegedly engaging in conduct, which created a danger of death or serious physical injury to the son and two other people,...

While Barry Thomas McMurry was being taken to jail following his arrest in January 2024 for possessing hundreds of images of alleged child pornography, he told police that he was a “hero” and that he was “trying to help” the hundreds of children, depicted in the sexually explicit content found on his laptop. “I was telling the other officer about what I seen and Mr. McMurry freely and voluntarily said, ‘Yeah, you’re right.’ I asked him if it was child porn. He said, ‘No, not exactly,’” Corbin Police Officer Drew Wilson testified during a 2024 preliminary hearing in McMurry’s case. While being transported to the Whitley County Detention Center, McMurry allegedly...

The Whitley County Grand Jury indicted five people Monday in connection to alleged efforts to introduce drugs into the Whitley County Detention Center. Whitley County Jailer Jason Wilson said the case started when he received a tip about a possible drug drop at another location. Wilson said that he and his staff found drugs at that location, and then contacted the Williamsburg Police Department and Officer Jonas Saunders took over the investigation at that point. Wilson said that initially he was aware of a couple of people involved, and that Saunders linked additional people to the case. The grand jury indicted Destanny Hatfield, 28, of Williamsburg, Ester J. Stevenson, 34, of Corbin,...

A Williamsburg woman, who was a moped passenger, died Saturday afternoon following a two-vehicle crash on KY-92W between the Kentucky Splash Waterpark and the entrance for the Whitley County Detention Center. Williamsburg Police Assistant Chief Brandon White, who was the senior officer at the scene, said that his office will consult with Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling before making a final decision, but that no charges are currently anticipated in connection with the crash. About 12:01 p.m., Crystal R. Bruce, 19, of McCreary County, had left a cookout and had pulled onto KY-92W in a black 2012 Chevrolet Impala when she collided with a moped, which was driven by Michael D. Walters,...