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A Kentucky State Police trooper has been cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with an on duty shooting that took place on Jan. 15 during a hostage incident near Emlyn. The Whitley County Grand Jury issued a report Monday morning noting that KSP Critical Response Unit Detective Josh Howard appeared before the grand jury with regards to the shooting of Carl Amos Moses. “The Grand Jury was presented with and did hereby include, by unanimous vote, a no true bill of indictment on the charges of 1st degree assault, 2nd degree assault, 4th degree assault and wanton endangerment against Trooper Samuel Aaron Peace,” the report read. “The Grand Jury did further conclude,...

A Whitley County Grand Jury opted not to indict a Williamsburg man Monday morning in connection with the Feb. 26 death of his six-year-old niece, whom he accidentally hit with a vehicle. However, the grand jury did indict the man on a misdemeanor charge of first offense operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants, according to the indictment. “Without going into what was presented in the grand jury I think everybody agreed it was a tragic accident more than a crime,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling. Bowling noted that there is no way of knowing what the grand jury was thinking, but from a bird’s eye view, the death...

Not much is known about the case against a Whitley County constable candidate, who was arrested Monday afternoon in connection with an alleged sexual assault case that occurred two years ago. Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Brently Patrick served Tyler Burdine, 25, of Williamsburg, with a Pulaski County indictment warrant that charges him with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy. According to the May 5 indictment, the incident happened on or about April 19, 2019, through April 20, 2019, in Pulaski County when Burdine allegedly had sexual intercourse and deviate sexual intercourse with his girlfriend by forcible compulsion. Joey Johnson with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department was the only witness to appear before the...

A Lily man was arrested last weekend after allegedly strangling his girlfriend and threatening to kill her earlier this month. James Weaver, 45, was arrested May 7 following a complaint to police filed by the victim, who stated that Weaver assaulted and strangled her on May 2. According to Weaver’s arrest warrant, Weaver grabbed his girlfriend by her throat, held her and squeezed for approximately 30 seconds before throwing her to the floor. Weaver then allegedly straddled the victim and pushed a closed fist into her throat on her windpipe before grabbing her around the neck with both hands and squeezing. The victim’s statement claimed Weaver held her in that...

You can expect business as usual at the Whitley County Property Valuation Administrator’s office following incumbent Ronnie Moses’ decisive win Tuesday with more than 65 percent of the vote over his first opponent in nearly 30 years, Herb Petrey. With a final vote total of 4,287 to 2,250, Moses claimed a sizable victory to hold onto the position he has held for 32 years. Despite the numbers, Moses remained humble about the outcome and was quick to praise his opponent. “The margin tells you that you’re doing a pretty good job, but other than that, it doesn’t say much,” said Moses. “But I feel good. I think that Mr. Petrey ran...

Following a six-way contest in what was believed to be anyone’s race, Jason Wilson emerged victorious Tuesday in rather convincing fashion as Whitley County’s Republican candidate for jailer. Wilson garnered just under 31 percent of the overall numbers, accounting for 2,057 votes. The next closest opponent was Brandon White at 1,615 votes. Wilson was full of emotion as he talked about the win, taking time to thank a long list of people who he felt helped him cross the finish line victorious. “It’s been an amazing experience. Just a lot of hard work. I can’t even explain what I’m feeling right now, but it’s amazing,” said Wilson. “First and foremost, I want...

In a tight race decided by less than 10 votes, third-district voters selected Jordan Davis as their next constable. He will replace Jim Thornton, who instead opted to run for sheriff, but was unsuccessful. Davis received a total of 386 votes to Zandell “Sambo” Jones 377 votes, Vancil Moses 325 votes, David Rowe’s 279 votes, Justin Oaks 223 votes and Tyler Burdine’s 50 votes. Tuesday was a good day to be an incumbent magistrate or constable in Whitley County. First-District Magistrate Scotty Harrison, Third-District Magistrate Michael Jarboe Fourth-District Magistrate Raleigh Meadors, First-District Constable Lonnie Foley and Fourth-District Constable Andy Moses all won their re-election bids – many by a significant margin –...

Retired Kentucky State Police Lt. and current Corbin School Resource Officer Bill Elliotte has been elected as Whitley County’s next sheriff beating out his closest challenger by a nearly 500-vote margin. “I just want to thank everyone. I have had so much support from my friends and family then all of the citizens I have met over the last six or seven months. It has just been very encouraging. It has been very tiresome being out here day after day but we got to meet so many people. I am just thankful. I just promise to do the best job that I can,” Elliotte said. “Our top priority will be getting...

The Whitley County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in locating a missing woman. Janie Noe, 57, was last seen in December 2021. She if 5'0" and weighs 100 pounds. "Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mrs. Noe is encouraged to contact Whitley County Sheriffs Department at 606-549-6006 or Dispatch at 606-549-6017. Deputy Mike Lawson is investigating," the sheriff's department wrote in a release.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has again been named among the list of finalists for Kentucky Living’s Best in Kentucky Contest, a place the park is certainly no stranger to. The contest, which has been ongoing for more than a decade now, is meant to highlight locations throughout the state, ranging from destinations to food to activities, and allow readers to vote for their favorites in each category. This year, the park has been nominated in the best weekend getaway category, with competition from Mammoth Cave National Park and the Red River Gorge Geological Area. Voting began May 1 and will be open through May 31. Those who wish to vote...