News

The Whitley County Fiscal Court tabled a proposed version of a statewide emergency management mutual aid agreement during the April 21 meeting due to concerns about an “evergreen clause.” The proposed agreement would allow Whitley County to participate in statewide emergency management mutual aid efforts during disasters, but the current version includes an “evergreen clause” which automatically renews the agreement unless action is taken to terminate it. County Attorney Robert Hammons and Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains recommended the proposal agreement be tabled for a second time so officials can determine if the clause can be removed. Judge Executive Pat White Jr. noted the county would like to be a part of...

Whitley County officials reported a busy month throughout multiple departments including a multi-crash on I-75 and concerns on increasing fuel costs during the Whitley County Fiscal Court meeting on April 21. Sheriff Bill Elliotte said his department saw an increase in activity due to warmer weather. “This month’s been very busy — I guess with the weather warming up, they’ve been running us to death,” said Elliotte. “With gas over the last couple of months being up, our fuel bill was like $3000 more than it normally is. All that stuff is very concerning, but overall, our things are going good.” Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains shared his office recorded to 18...

The Whitley County Fiscal Court approved the first reading of an ordinance related to a budget amendment of $453,316.60 to include unbudgeted receipts during its April 21 meeting. The ordinance includes property taxes, motor vehicle taxes, sheriff excess fees, reimbursements and more. The amendment also includes funding tied to an Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) project, including work related to a parking lot area that has already undergone site preparation and could serve downtown. Judge Executive Pat White Jr. stated work for the site, including excavation and drainage has already been completed. “I think it would make a really nice additional parking area for downtown,” said White.

Owner Bootsie Turnbill of On Point Barbering Academy introduced several students from an opioid abatement program aimed at creating job opportunities through opioid settlement funds at the Whitley County Fiscal Court meeting on April 21. “I’m thankful, blessed humbled at the opportunity that you all have given us here with funding for these students to be able to change their lives,” said Turnbill. “When they get out, they don’t have the opportunity that most people can get… because of that background check. This gives them the opportunity to make more money.” Student Joe Jackson shared his personal journey with addiction and described how the program helped him turn his life...

An Ohio man has pleaded not guilty to a vehicular homicide when under the influence of drugs/substance charge in Laurel Circuit Court. On April 17, the Laurel County Grand Jury indicted Steven P. Jones, 54, of Xenia, in connection with a Jan. 13, crash on I-75 near the 46-mile marker. Jones was driving a tractor trailer when a Nissan Altima, which was driven by William Darnell of Corbin, collided with the semi at approximately 2:57 a.m., according to a Feb. 6 Laurel County Sheriff’s Office release. At the scene of the crash, Jones allegedly told law enforcement personnel he was traveling between 55 and 60 mph when the rear of the commercial...

The estate of a Corbin man, who was killed when a Knox County Sheriff’s cruiser hit a side-by-side last year, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court. In addition, a surviving passenger in the side-by-side has also filed suit in federal court. The Estate of Todd St. John, through its personal representative Mackenzie Eads – who was St. John’s fiancé and the mother of his two children – filed the lawsuit against Knox County, the Knox County Sheriff’s Department Deputy John Michael “Mikey” Ashurst in his individual capacity and Knox County Sheriff Mike Smith in his individual capacity. Jerry Stewart, who was St. John’s “best friend,” also filed suit...

A deadly crash early Wednesday evening in Western Knox County claimed the life of a Corbin man. The Whitley County Coroner’s Office pronounced Alfred Smith, 73, dead at Baptist Health Corbin. The wreck happened at approximately 7 p.m. on US25E just south of Higgins Road, according to a Knox County Sheriff’s Office release. The preliminary investigation determined Smith’s 2001 Mercury Sable was making a left turn from N. US25E onto KY-1232, which is known locally as Old Barbourville Highway. Smith’s vehicle crossed into the path of a 2025 Chevy Silverado, which was driven by Cody Cox, 29, of Pineville, according to a sheriff’s office release. Cox was traveling southbound. The two vehicles collided...

The Laurel County Grand Jury recently indicted four people on theft-related charges, including three Corbin residents. On April 17, the grand jury handed down two separate indictments against Brandon Smith, 40, of KY-770. In one indictment, the grand jury charged Smith with theft of identity of another without consent, attempted theft by deception of the value $10,000 or more and display or possession of cancelled or fictious operator’s license. On March 3, Smith allegedly had a fictious operator’s license not issued to him, used the personal identification of someone else and attempted to purchase a 2025 Ford Maverick, according to an indictment. In the second indictment, the grand jury charged Smith with...

The Laurel County Grand Jury recently indicted 19 people on drug-related charges, including three people for felony drug trafficking and 16 for felony drug possession. On April 17, the grand jury issued the following indictments, according to court records, including: Robert Lee Collins, 39, of West Liberty – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and first-degree persistent felony offender. He has three prior felony convictions in Laurel County. He was convicted on a charge of convicted felon in possession of a handgun in connection with a 2021 case, second-degree assault in connection with a 2017 case and first-degree possession of a controlled substance in connection with a 2016 case. ...

A Flat Lick man previously convicted of murder was indicted by a Knox County grand jury Friday for allegedly fleeing police and strangling a woman, according to his indictment. The grand jury indicted Shawn Tigue, 45, on charges of first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), first-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree strangulation, reckless driving and three counts of fourth-degree assault. The incident happened on March 28. Tigue allegedly failed to obey signals from Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Broughton to stop a vehicle and then failed to obey a directive to stop running in an attempt to elude law enforcement officials. He allegedly...