News

Prosecutors have recommended a three-year prison sentence for a Corbin man on a drug trafficking charge. Doyle Carr Jr., 47, was indicted by information on a charge of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (under two grams of methamphetamine). In addition to the prison time, Carr will be required to forfeit all monies seized in connection with the incident. On Feb. 27, Corbin Police Cpl. Chris Brown observed Carr operating a 1994 Ford Ranger and knew his operator’s license was suspended and had active warrants, Brown wrote on the arrest citation. Brown pulled over the vehicle. During a search, Brown found a pill bottle containing three individual weighed bags of a white...

He took the vehicle solely to get home. This is what Dustin Gilreath, 36, of Pine Knot, allegedly told a Kentucky State Police trooper during his April 30 for receiving stolen property value $10,000 or more. The charge is in connection to a white 2016 BMW 320i series four-door car. The vehicle was reportedly taken from the parking lot of Baptist Health Corbin. In a social media post on April 30, the Corbin Police Department asked for the community’s assistance in locating Gilreath, since he was suspected of stealing the BMW from Baptist Health Corbin, according to the Corbin Police Department Facebook post. KSP arrested Gilreath at 11:25 p.m. on April 30 on...

Guests at The Freeman Foundation’s Lights Out Dinner in the Dark event traded their eyesight for a blindfold as they ate spaghetti, salad and dessert to better understand the daily experiences of Travis Freeman. Freeman became blind due to a severe sinus infection at 12 years old. The event was in partnership with Baptist Health Corbin (BHC) after Freeman asked for donations. BHC President Angelia Foster said the event encouraged people to see the world through a different perspective. “Events like this remind us how important it is to see the world through a different lens and to better understand the experiences of those that we serve,” said Foster. “Tonight is a reminder...

Whitley County Clerk Carolyn Willis is hoping for at least a 30 percent voter turnout for the May Primary Election, but she admits she isn’t sure the turnout will be that high. Willis said she thinks absence of contested local races on the ballot is a big factor. During Whitley County’s 2022 May Primary Election when these same offices were on the ballot. There was a 26 percent voter turnout during that election. There is a three-day early voting period from Thursday through Saturday when any registered voter can go vote early. The three-day early voting period for everyone can be done at either Willis’ office in the old Whitley County Courthouse in...

The legal troubles continue to mount for a suspended South Laurel High School teacher and a Bimble woman. Both were arrested on May 3 in Knox County on child pornography related charges. On May 7, a federal grand jury indicted Bradley Kyle Yeager, 35, of Heidrick, and Rachel Baker, 22, on a charge of production of child pornography. The charge carries a sentence ranging from 15 to 30 years in federal prison if convicted. On or before May 1 in Knox County, the pair allegedly employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed or coerced a minor female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such...

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell, and McCreary counties between January and February 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 increased from 4.4 percent in January 2026 to 4.6 percent in February 2026. Whitley County’s February 2026 unemployment rate was 0.6 percent lower than the February 2025 unemployment rate. Laurel County Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.3 percent in January 2026 to 5.8 percent in February 2026. Laurel County’s February 2026 unemployment rate was 0.7 percent lower than the February 2025 unemployment rate. Knox County Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.5 percent in January...

The Center for Rural Development announced several students from Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties have been selected to attend the 2026 Rogers Explorers program out of 181 incoming high school freshmen chosen from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky. Rogers Explorers is a three-day leadership program open to eighth-grade students interested in leadership, community service, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). The following students were selected: Whitley County Jackson Brooks, Austin Davis, Emmalynn Gaouette, Harper Jones and Noah Nichols. Laurel County Brielle Eversole, Campbell Gardner, Bryan Greer, Colton Jarvis, Ryser Joyner, Grayson Martin, Ashlyn Patton-Thorpe, Collin Sams and Addison Thornhill. Knox County Ethan Bonham, Brileigh Brock, Ashtyn Creech, Avery Gregory, Lilah Linn, Embry Miller,...

The Center for Rural Development announced several students from Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties have been selected to attend the 2026 Rogers Scholars this summer out of 100 incoming high school juniors chosen from across Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The Rogers Scholars program aims to help these students build confidence, strengthen their leadership skills and connect with potential career pathways. The following students were selected: Whitley County Elijah Bailey, Paityn Creech and Pascual White. Laurel County Colton Cox, Ava Cupp and Riley Gardner. Knox County Sadie Hoffman, Lauren Messer and Tori Wilder. The program will be on May 31 – June 5 at Morehead State University and June 14 – 19 at Lindsey Wilson University.

Students at Eastern Kentucky University are partnering with Corbin Parkway Ministries and other organizations throughout Southeastern Kentucky to host a vacation Bible school for differently-abled adults. The event, ‘I am God’s Masterpiece’, will give attendees the opportunity to complete crafts, participate in games, worship and a lesson. Sensory regulation opportunities will be available throughout the event. “This event will be tailored to meet the needs of this exceptional population as well as their caregivers,” said event co-organizer Chelsea Beverly. “We are prepared to offer an engaging, inclusive environment and hope to see you there.” Resources and community organizations will be at the event to provide information and support for caregivers and guardians. The...

Numerous people turned out last Saturday in downtown Corbin for the first Depot Street Market community yard sale of the season. During the Depot Street Market events, local residents can set up their gently used items along the sidewalks on the back side of Depot Street for free. Three other Depot Street Markets are slated for this summer from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on June 6, July 11 and Aug. 1.