News

The Laurel County Grand Jury indicted a Lily man Friday for allegedly sexually abusing a child less than 12 years of age. The grand jury indicted Shane A. Johns, 28, on a charge of first-degree sexual abuse. On May 27, Johns allegedly subjected a child less than 12 years of age to sexual contact, according to his indictment. Laurel County Sheriff’s Detective Tommy Houston arrested Johns on May 27 after an investigation into a complaint. Deputies were assisted in the investigation by the Kentucky Department of Community-Based Services. After that arrest, he was booked into the Laurel County Correctional Center where he was held until his Aug. 5 release. Johns was remanded to...

The Corbin City Commission voted unanimously during its regular monthly meeting Monday to terminate public works employee Lee Miracle. Corbin City Manager Scott Williamson recommended that the commission terminate Miracle’s employment. No reason for the termination was given. The city commission met in executive session for six minutes during Monday’s meeting to discuss personnel issues. Williamson said that he couldn’t confirm whether Miracle’s termination was discussed. Also, during its regular monthly meeting Monday, the city commission voted to approve pay increases up to $12 per hour for three positions at the Corbin Arena: the event manager, concessions manager and security manager. All three positions are part-time positions and are events-only employees. Williamson said that...

Prosecutors have recommended a five-year prison for a Williamsburg man, who broke into a home last month. Joseph Huddleston, 28, of Williamsburg, was indicted by information on a charge of third-degree burglary. Prosecutors recommended a five-year prison sentence. On July 21, he entered an Emlyn home with intent to commit another crime. According to his arrest citation, one of the homeowners found him hiding in a bedroom. When Whitley County Sheriff Bill Elliotte arrived, he appeared to be trying to exit through a bedroom window before Elliotte put him on the floor and handcuffed him. Felony cases get to circuit court in one of two ways. The most common way is that...

The Williamsburg Independent Board of Education held its regular meeting on Aug. 12 at Williamsburg City School to discuss changes aimed at enhancing student safety. A special-called meeting is scheduled for Aug. 28, when a public hearing will be held to set the tax rate. Grant Henderson, the Network Specialist for Williamsburg Independent Schools, shared a list of improvements designed to make the district safer, both physically and digitally. The district is transitioning to a system called Raptor for parent pickup, visitor check-in, and volunteer background checks. This system will scan IDs, check them against a national database, and keep digital records of who signs out students and at what...

The Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit will make its return to Corbin Aug. 26-29, and Executive Director Colby Hall says that the organization is looking forward to writing the next chapter in its partnership with the city. “We love being in Corbin,” Hall said, commenting that working with elected officials in city hall to make previous summit events (in 2021 and 2023) a reality has been a rewarding experience. “We always feel well-supported. We feel like we bring a lot to the community, and Corbin does a great job of making sure that we feel like we’re wanted while we’re here. That is appreciated.” This year’s summit, which will once...

CSX Corporation has advised that railroad maintenance operations on KY 296 at mile point 1.6 (Main Street) in Williamsburg will take place Thursday (Aug. 21) from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Motorists can detour via 10th Street to KY 92 to U.S. 25. The date, time, and duration of work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur. Motorists can access travel and traffic conditions at http://goky.ky.gov or contribute their own reports at www.waze.com or via the Waze mobile application. You can also get traffic information for District 11 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict11 or by following the district on Twitter at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict11.

Prosecutors have recommended a six-year prison sentence for a Corbin man accused of possessing a stolen tow truck and leading police on a vehicle pursuit, before he and his passenger had to be rescued by first responders after falling down a cliff. Prosecutors recommended a pre-trial diversion for his passenger. Rex Vaughn, 55, of Corbin, was indicted by information on charges of receiving stolen property of the value of $10,000 or more, first-degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), first-degree wanton endangerment (police officer), first-degree criminal mischief, and first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Prosecutors recommended a six-year prison sentence. His passenger, Thelma Travillian, 41, of Rockholds, was indicted by...

The Whitley County Grand Jury handed down two indictments Monday against a Corbin man for fleeing or evading police on foot in March and for fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle in July. In the first indictment, the grand jury charged Dustin Chad Lawson, 41, of Forego Trail, with second-degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), resisting arrest, third-degree assault of a police officer, second-degree possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), and two counts of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (Fentanyl and drug unspecified). On March 14, Lawson allegedly disobeyed then Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy David Rowe’s directive to stop running in an attempt to elude law...

When the home of an avid gun enthusiast at 602 Steele Street off Fifth Street Road burned on May 22 there were loud explosions, which could be heard as far away as Moore Hill in Knox County. One of the homeowners was found deceased after the fire. Now, the Corbin City Commission is taking steps to get the site of that home cleaned up. At the request of Code Enforcement Officer Mike Mahan, the Corbin City Commission voted during its regular monthly meeting Monday to authorize Corbin City Attorney Bob Hammons to take any and all action to remedy the issue, including possibly having the remains of the structure demolished. Mahan said...

Whitley Circuit Judge Paul Winchester handed down prison sentences totaling 27 years Monday afternoon to a pair of defendants in separate homicide cases. Winchester sentenced Martin Canada, 51, to a total of 15 years in prison, after he pleaded guilty last month to a reduced charge of first-degree manslaughter in the Sept. 14, 2022, death of his stepson, Kyle Chadwell, 31. Canada was sentenced to 12 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and three years in prison on a first-degree wanton endangerment charge in connection with the case. The charging document states that under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life, Canada wantonly engaged in conduct,...