News

Melanie Howard, a special education teacher at Corbin Primary School (CPS), has been honored with the 2026 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award by the Kentucky Department of Education. She is one of nine recipients statewide and one of three elementary teachers to receive this prestigious award. In reflecting on her journey, Howard expressed, “The process of being selected as a finalist for Teacher of the Year has been both humbling and inspiring. It began with a nomination—something I never expected, but was incredibly honored to receive.” This recognition highlights outstanding educators across the state who go above and beyond to help develop the next generation of leaders. Winners are now eligible to compete...

It is a good news, bad news situation. The bad news is that Corbin residents may soon be required to get a permit to hold a yard sale in town. The good news is that they would be probably allowed to hold more than one yard sale per year, which is what the current city ordinance allows. The issue of yard sales came up during Monday’s regularly scheduled Corbin City Commission meeting. Code Enforcement Officer Mike Mahan noted that the current ordinance only allows for one yard sale per year, which can last up to three days. However, some residents already have more than one yard sale per year. Another problem city...

The London Police Department is hosting a free church security training event on Sept. 2 from 6-8 p.m. at the London Community Center, which is located at 529 S. Main Street. The training is open to the public and will address a wide range of safety and security topics relevant to churches, church events and religious gatherings. “Join us to learn how to better protect your congregation and prepare for potential threats. Don’t miss this important opportunity to enhance your church’s security awareness and preparedness. All are welcome,” the London Police Department wrote in a release. The training will be led by Acting London Police Chief Bobby Day.

Summer brings more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, whether spending time in the backyard garden, exploring local trails or heading out for a weekend camping trip. However, along with warm weather comes the return of ticks, mosquitoes and other seasonal pests. “From trails to backyards, we want families to stay aware of the risks tied to insect bites and take simple steps to stay healthy while enjoying summer,” said Crystal Hood, APRN, Baptist Health Medical Group Primary Care London. Baptist Health is offering tips on how to identify insect bites, recognize symptoms of illness and take preventive steps, especially when it comes to ticks, which are common in many outdoor environments. Knowing...

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has announced the recipients of the Dean’s List, Dean’s Award and President’s Award for the Spring 2025 semester. “We’re incredibly proud to recognize and celebrate academic excellence at Eastern Kentucky University,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “Students who have achieved this distinction reflect our mission of opportunity and success, further validating EKU’s recent recognition as an Opportunity University by the Carnegie Foundation and showcasing the transformative potential of an Eastern education.”   Dean’s List To achieve Dean’s List honors, students attempting 12 credit hours must earn a minimum 3.75 GPA; students attempting 13 credit hours must earn a minimum 3.65 GPA; and students attempting 14 or more credit hours...

The Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) Education Foundation recently announced that it has awarded the highest amount in post-secondary education scholarships in the program’s history, including a number of scholarships to Whitley, Laurel and Knox County students. In partnership with county Farm Bureaus, the KFB Foundation awarded 601 Kentucky high school seniors a total of $810,150 in scholarships at both the state and county level. This brings the total amount of scholarships awarded to over $3.9 million since the program’s inception in 1953. “Our investment in young people is an investment in the future of Kentucky,” said Eddie Melton, KFB President. “We’re proud to support these outstanding students who are working hard...

A Carlisle woman is now free on bond after allegedly stabbing a woman and biting a juvenile in southern Laurel County early Saturday morning. Laurel County Sheriff’s Detective Tommy Houston and deputies Jared Hale, Robert Smith and Justin Lewis arrested Melissa K. Rich, 37, about 1:52 a.m. at a local hospital in connection with an event that apparently occurred off Tom Town Hollow Road approximately 10 miles south of London, according to a Laurel County Sheriff’s Department release. The London-Laurel County 911 Communication Center dispatched deputies to a complaint that a female subject stabbed another female subject during an altercation, the release stated. “When deputies made contact with the involved parties they...

Over 300 children and grandchildren of Jones Plastic & Engineering employees received free school supplies on Aug. 6 thanks to the company. The event has become an annual tradition having taken place every year since 2019, with the exception of Covid years 2020 and 2021. Students received backpacks, notebooks, folders, packs of paper, pencil pouches, pens, pencils, color pencils, rulers, highlighters, crayons, glue sticks and erasers. Jones Plastic & Engineering has a history of community and educational institution involvement. It provides a co-op program for local high school students and has donated welding materials and equipment and an injection molding machine to Whitley County technical and maintenance school. Currently it is partnered with...

Youth from the Whitley County 4-H program are preparing to shine at the Kentucky State Fair, being held Aug. 14–24 in Louisville, with a colorful and creative collection of entries in visual arts, photography, and crochet. These entries reflect months of dedication, learning, and hands-on experience from youth across the county.   This year, Whitley County 4-H is sending four arts entries, which include clay sculptures and acrylic paintings. These works showcase the imagination and artistic development of young participants who explored topics from nature to pop culture through form and color.   In addition to the arts, there are 20 photography submissions, many of which were inspired by a 4-H field trip...

Unemployment rates increased in Whitley, Laurel, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties between May 2025 and June 2025, 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 4.6 percent in May 2025 to 5.1 percent in June 2025. Whitley County’s June 2025 unemployment rate was 0.8 percent lower than the June 2024 unemployment rate. Laurel County Laurel County’s unemployment rate increased from 5.6 percent in May 2025 to 6.3 percent in June 2025. Laurel County’s June 2025 unemployment rate was 0.4 percent lower than the June 2024 unemployment rate. Knox County Knox County’s unemployment rate increased from 6.0 percent in...