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(OpEd by Dr. James Finck, an Associate Professor of History at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and Chair of the Oklahoma Civil War Symposium. Follow Historically Speaking at www.Historicallyspeaking.blog or on Facebook.) With the shutdown of everything non-essential and social distancing becoming the new normal, one area of concern is voting. At the very heart of our democracy is the ability to vote. However, if we eliminate gatherings, as we have been instructed to do, voting is problematic. As of now the presidential vote hopefully will go forward as planned, but we have seen a disruption in primary voting. One of the options being floated is a...

When it comes to Williamsburg’s downtown development, there is some bad news and there is some good news. Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison noted during the recent monthly city council meeting that several businesses were getting close to opening when the COVID-19 shutdown hit in mid-March, including The Butcher’s Pub restaurant and the University of the Cumberlands’ Marketplace on Main & 3rd, which is set to house Moonbow Mercantile, Moonlight Meat Shop and Cumberland River Coffee. The good news is that those openings weren’t canceled, but instead just delayed. “Right now, everybody that was planning to come is still planning to come,” Harrison told the council. When restaurants are allowed to start re-opening at...

The City of Williamsburg’s share of the state’s gas tax for next fiscal year gives you some idea of the financial challenges local city and county governments are facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This current fiscal year, which ends June 30, the City of Williamsburg received about $135,000 in municipal coop aid from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for paving projects, sidewalks and so forth. For next fiscal year, which starts July 1, Williamsburg is only projected to receive $95,000. The funding represents each municipality’s share of state gas tax revenue. “Obviously, it is due to nobody is driving,” Mayor Roddy Harrison told the city council recently of the reduced road...

Congratulations to Whitley County High School Alum Kendall (Huddleston) Murphy as she has defended her PhD Dissertation titled “The Development of Polymer Constructs for Adipose Tissue Engineering Applications.” Kendall says it is an honor to highlight her achievements as a graduate of Whitley County High School (Class of 2011). “I know how easy it is for students to get in their minds that, because they are from a small county in Appalachia, they don't have the capabilities to achieve certain goals they may have," Murphy said. "I hope that my academic career is a testament to those students that you can achieve any dream with hard work and a strong...

Leadership Kentucky is now accepting applications for the second year of the BRIGHT Kentucky program. BRIGHT Kentucky, coordinated by the Leadership Kentucky Foundation, Inc., is designed to build the capacity of next-generation leaders (average age 21-40) in the Appalachian region of Kentucky to innovate, collaborate, and advance community and economic development. BRIGHT Kentucky engages bright, entrepreneurial minds from all sectors and regions to offer non-partisan, ethical leadership training, expanded networks, and mentors designed especially for residents of the 54 Kentucky counties of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). “The inaugural BRIGHT Kentucky program in 2019 far surpassed our expectations. The energy and enthusiasm of these young professionals is truly a BRIGHT light...

If you are looking for more information regarding the ongoing health crisis related to COVID-19, or the coronavirus, the News Journal's official Twitter account is a good place to start. Here is a comprehensive list of all posts that have been made since Wednesday that relate to the pandemic... Wed, March 11 Shared post from University of the Cumberlands announcing classes are moving to an online format Posted a link to a News Journal report about area nursing homes being closed to visitors Posted a link to a News Journal report about Baptist Health Corbin limiting visitors Published a poll asking about responses to the virus, including the World Health Organization classifying it as...

At Wednesday’s weekly meeting of the Corbin Kiwanis Club, April Stauffer of the Alzheimer’s Association took the podium to discuss dementia. Stauffer is a Community Outreach Coordinator working in the association’s greater Kentucky and southern Indiana chapter. Stauffer began her presentation by informing the crowd on hand inside David’s Steakhouse that everyone is at risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. She was quick to point out, however, that certain preventative measures such as exercise, a healthy diet, regular social interaction and keeping your brain active can all help to reduce the chance of developing dementia. As for the work that the Alzheimer’s Association is doing to help those...

When Pineville, Ky. native Amber Bailey, a registered nurse at Barbourville ARH Hospital, learned she had stage four cholangiocarcinoma, she knew she had to fight this terminal cancer for her three children. What Amber didn’t know was her ARH co-workers would form an army to join her in the fight. “Getting news that you have terminal cancer is beyond anything you can imagine,” shares Bailey. “As a registered nurse, I understand it medically, but as a single mom of three, I can’t accept that it’s happening to me. That’s why I am fighting this horrible disease with all my might, and I’m so grateful that my ARH family is fighting...

OP-ED by Eileen Recktenwald, Dorislee Gilbert, and Caroline Ruschell Sometimes simply having a voice in the process and being treated with respect makes all the difference. That’s something we’ve heard time and again from survivors as they navigate the criminal justice system. It’s also quite often the defining factor in whether they feel justice was rendered or if the very system in place to protect them made them feel even further victimized. As directors of three of the Commonwealth’s major victim advocacy organizations, each of us witnesses firsthand the profound and pervasive impact that acts of violence have upon victims of all ages. We also know that Marsy’s Law is a crucial...

With support from educators, top business leaders, law enforcement and retirees, Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday called on lawmakers to pass sports betting legislation to stop Kentucky dollars from flowing to neighboring states and use those funds for needs in Kentucky. “We have a real urgency in Kentucky. We need new revenue to support the needs of our communities, our state and especially our children who deserve the best education,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “We have an urgency to keep millions of Kentucky dollars from crossing our rivers and going to support the education and pension systems in our neighboring states. We are with business, education and pension leaders –...