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Court documents reveal new details about additional charges filed Tuesday against a now suspended South Laurel High School teacher and swimming coach Bradley Kyle Yeager was first arrested Sunday on child pornography related charges. Additional charges were also filed Tuesday against his co-defendant, who allegedly supplied him with nude images of herself and a toddler, according to court documents. The new charges are the result Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation and center on allegations the co-defendant sent nude pictures of herself and a toddler to the teacher in exchange for money. Barbourville Police initially arrested Yeager, 35, of Heidrick, on Sunday for possession of matter portraying a sexual...

A now suspended South Laurel High School teacher and swimming coach, who got arrested Sunday on child pornography related charges and got out of jail on bond Tuesday, was not free for long. Later Tuesday, Kentucky State Police arrested Bradley Yeager, 35, of Heidrick, on new charges of promoting human trafficking (victim under 18 years old) and promoting a sexual performance by a minor under age 18. He was booked into the Knox County Detention Center at 9:18 p.m. Tuesday. His new bond is set at $100,000 cash, according to the Knox County Detention Center’s website. The detention center confirmed Wednesday morning the Bradley Yeager booked into the facility Tuesday evening is...

Kentucky State Police arrested a registered sex offender Friday evening in Whitley County for failure to comply with sex offender registration. Whitley District Judge Fred White entered a not guilty plea Monday for Michael A. Thomas, 64, of KY-1651. White appointed the public advocate’s office to represent Thomas, set a $7,500 cash bond and scheduled a May 11 preliminary hearing in the case. Kentucky State Police Trooper Kyle Trosper arrested Thomas at 9:09 p.m. on Fifth Street Road. It started with the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department receiving a reckless driver complaint and authorities discovered Thomas was a registered sex offender, Trosper wrote in the arrest citation. Trosper was called to the scene to...

Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling has recommended a 15-year prison sentence for a Williamsburg man who pleaded guilty Thursday to charges related to secretly recording juveniles in his residence in late 2024. Pierce Hamblin, 48, of Liford Drive, pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of promoting a sex performance by a minor under 16 years of age, two counts of promoting a sexual performance by a minor under 18 years of age, three counts of possession or viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor over age 12 but under 18 years of age and two counts of possession or viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance of a...

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell, and McCreary counties between December of 2025 and January of 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 3.7 percent in December 2025 to 4.4 percent in January 2026. Whitley County’s January 2026 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent lower than the January 2025 unemployment rate. Laurel County Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.5 percent in December 2025 to 5.3 percent in January 2026. Laurel County’s January 2026 unemployment rate was 1.3 percent lower than the January 2025 unemployment rate. Knox County Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 4.7...

Volunteers with the Corbin Kiwanis Club gathered at Pine Hill Cemetery for a community cleanup event, with support from Pratt’s Landscaping, Forest Hills Center, the City of Corbin and Kiwanis Club member Rob Petro. “We would like to thank everyone for an outstanding volunteer and member turnout,” said Kiwanis member Kyle Perkins.

The Pilot location in Williamsburg is celebrating its full remodel with a $10,000 donation to Whitley County School District to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. The donation will help expand hands-on learning for students, according to Superintendent John Siler. “This investment will allow our district to expand innovative learning opportunities and better equip our students with the skills they need for the future,” said Siler. The donation comes through Pilot’s Miles of Good initiative, which focuses on education, safety and veterans. The Williamsburg location is part of the company’s nationwide “New Horizons” initiative. The updated store includes a modern design, a new kitchen, three self-checkout stations and an updated deli area...

Corbin Superintendent Travis Wilder reflected on his first year leading Corbin Independent Schools and shared future goals and his “why” during a capstone presentation to the Corbin Board of Education on April 23. A capstone presentation is a required end-of-year report where new superintendents reflect on their first year and outline future goals. “It’s been a long journey,” said Wilder. “It seems like Aug. 1 was just a few days ago.” Wilder shared when he received the call offering him the position, he was with his family at the pool. “I have never put a suit on that quickly in my life,” said Wilder. Wilder said he was assigned mentors Dr. Carrie Ballinger and...

The Corbin School of Innovation’s annual World Fair and Wax Museum theme centered around America’s 250th anniversary. Students from grade levels 2 through 12 showcased their learning through creative projects exploring history, culture and daily life from different time periods on April 24 in the gym. “It’s one of everybody’s favorite days that we look forward to in the year,” said organizer Brooke Sprinkles. Among the displays, students Kitana Taylor, Emmi Parker and Ethan Foster presented a Stone Age project highlighting early tools and daily life. Scarlett Sprinkles, Kai Cockerham and Lucy Herren shared a project on American Indigenous tribes, focusing on culture and trading. Cade Watkins and Beka Queener presented a Rocaille-themed...

Students from the Corbin Elementary School/School of Innovation Redhound Theatre presented The Lion King Kids production on April 23, directed by Brooke Sprinkles. Featured performers included Eleanor Roberts as Scar, Emery Patrick as Young Simba, Harrison Lowe as Older Simba, Olivia Shepherd as Mufasa, Zac Johnson as Pumba and Ian Brennan as Timon.