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Corbin names new City It’s All About Where You Live! Manager — A-2 Netthheews Journal tt ee nn .. The Whitley Republican Corbin! This Week S Along for the ride W PPIIGGSSKKIINN CCLLAASSSSIICC BBOOWWLL An alleged kidnapping victim may have E N been a willing participant — Page A-3. GGAAMMEE MMAAKKIINNGG AA CCOOMMEEBBAACCKK E Check us out online at D First baby of 2012 I SSEEEE SSPPOORRTTSS,, SSEECCTTIIOONN CC WWW.THENEWSJOURNAL.NET S Baptist Regional Medical Center in Corbin N announces annual New Year Baby — Page A-8. I W S ST E A N N VOL. 104, NO. 1 (cid:129) WILLIAMSBURG, KY. JANUARY 4, 2012 For subscription info: 606.528.9767 75¢D YEAR IN REVIEW THE BIGGEST STORIES OF 2011 Photo by TRENT KNUCKLES Last day of freedom: Above, former Whitley County Sheriff Lawrence Hodge, center, is flanked by his attorneys as he heads Photo provided into federal court last May. He received 15.5 years in prison for Pouring: Snow wasn’t the only thing pouring on Interstate 75 drug dealing, extortion and money laundering while in office. Monday. A wreck just north of exit 29 involving this truck resulted in 3,000 gallons of diesel being spilled on the roadway. Diesel spill on I-75 causes traffic woes Surprising snowfall reeks havoc on tri-county roadways Monday Photo by TRENT KNUCKLES, MARK WHITE and DEAN MANNING OH YEAH!: Above, Peter Rivera, former lead singer of the band Rare Earth, performed at the NIBROC Festival in Corbin in Aug. Below, Jason Fox (aka, “The Bad Hair Bandit”) and his wife Tasha appear in court after being arrested ■ By Dean Manning “We had a combination of in connection with a string of bank robberies late last year. Below, contestants in the NIBROC Just Lose it! competi- [email protected] brutal cold and bands of snow tion clown around during the finals of the weight loss challenge. mixed with periods of sunshine Injuries were minor but traffic that caused the precipitation to backups and delays were major melt and then freeze back into A year of change, as a snowstorm moved through black ice,” Dobson explained. southeastern Kentucky Monday “When you looked at the road, evening. you thought you were seeing According to John Henson, asphalt when it was really ice.” tragedy and hope spokesperson with the Kentucky A series of wrecks brought Transportation Cabinet office in traffic to a stop on Interstate 75 Manchester, the timing of the in both directions. While the snow, which began accumulating wrecks in the northbound lanes on the roadways about 4 p.m. around the 18-mile marker were in Whitley Co. and the on-and-off nature of the minor, a three-vehicle wreck on storm created a perfect environ- the southbound side just north of ment to make the roads slick and driving hazardous. See WRECKS, page A-9 ■ By Mark White and Dean Manning T for the News Journal Blaze damages W’burg he year 2011 can probably best be summed up as a year of change in Whitley County. Among the highlights, tragedy struck, former home Tues. afternoon officials went to prison, and new officials took office, some of whom only stayed there for a short time. A robber struck local banks. Corbin shaped up and quit smoking, and justice got a new home in Fire appears to be electrical in origin Williamsburg. Here is a look back at the top 10 stories of 2011 as voted upon by the news staff of the News Journal. ■ By Mark White 1) Dewayne Bunch [email protected] On the morning of April 12, 82nd District Rep. Dewayne Bunch, who took office on Jan. 2, went to his day job as a Even though the home that teacher at Whitley County High School unaware that the she has lived in for nearly 46 events of this day would change his life for the foreseeable years caught on fire Tuesday future, and possibly permanently. afternoon, Williamsburg resi- Bunch was on morning duty in the cafeteria with two dent Pauline Croley says she other teachers about 7:20 a.m. when a fight broke out feels pretty lucky. She credits Eva Welch, who See 2011, page A-6 stays with her during the day, with getting her out of the burning building. “She stays with me dur- Prosecutors have 33 years to collect restitution from Hodge ing the daytime, but I stay by myself at night. If it had been during the night time, it ■ By Trent Knuckles $64,897 to Whitley County. Office says they are working to would have been falling in on me because I sleep like a log,” [email protected] He hasn’t yet paid a dime. recover money stolen during Hodge’s Croley said. “If it happened Attempts by authorities to seize tenure and have many options at its When former Whitley County possible stashes of money from disposal. in the middle of the night, I Sheriff Lawrence Hodge pleaded Hodge’s home and his mother’s Kyle Edelen, a spokesman for U.S. would have been by myself.” Photo by MARK WHITE guilty to accusations of money laun- house have turned up empty. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey, would not Welch said there had been Above, Williamsburg firefighters dering, drug dealing and extortion In response to News Journal inqui- comment on specifics about Hodge’s dryer problems, and that a check out the attic area of this South while in office, part of his agreement ries about efforts to collect restitu- Second Street home, which caught with prosecutors required him to pay tion from Hodge, the U.S. Attorney’s See HODGE, page A-9 See FIRE, page A-9 fire Tuesday afternoon. A-2 — NEWS JOURNAL —JANUARY 4, 2012 Phillips named new Corbin City Manager Stivers Aquatic & Wellness Center some returning for second inter- ■ By Trent Knuckles views with commissioners. tknuckles@ The application deadline 105 CENTER STREET, BARBOURVILLE, KY corbinnewsjournal.com for the position was extended Months of searching and 606.546.0005 once. Originally, city leaders speculation ended last week as had hoped to make a decision Mon - Fri 6:30 am - 8:00 pm; Sat 8:00 am - 7 pm; Sun 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Corbin city leaders officially by Thanksgiving, but modified hired a new city manager - that idea. a Greenville, SC native with “We had a lot of strong can- experience as an administrator didates. It was really a tough for cities and counties in both choice,” McBurney said fol- Georgia and South Carolina. lowing Wednesday’s meeting. Sixty-three-year-old Michael “I think he was just a good fit. Phillips was named as the next We all felt that way. He was City Manager by Corbin’s very impressive to all of us. I Board of Commissioners by Now taking reservations for pool parties! think the citizens of Corbin will unanimous vote during a spe- benefit from this decision.” Parties can be scheduled for every day of the week: cial meeting at Corbin city hall Phillips said, in the short term, last Wednesday. He succeeds Monday - Friday Saturday Sunday he plans to “ride around town former City Manger Bill Ed 6 - 8 pm 1 - 3 pm & 4 to 6 pm 3 - 5 pm and get a look at everything” to Cannon who resigned in August become more acquainted with Party rates start at $180 for 2 hours and include use after serving in the position for Corbin. Also, he said he would 12 years. of shallow and diving area of the pool and the party room be meeting fairly intensely with “I’ve got a lot of experience department heads in city gov- For more info visit our website at stivercenter.org and I hope to be able to bring ernment. some of that here,” Phillips “We are going to be doing told a crowd of city employees, a lot of talking over the next interested community members month or two, so be prepared and local media. “I hope that for it,” Phillips said following you will find some good ideas the meeting. in what I have to lay on the He noted that he plans to table, and I seriously hope you wsoimll et akree cosommmee ntidmatei otnos oaffnedr hwCaoivtrheb ienam ncp itlio“zoyepeneessn., thdeo omr”e dpiao laincdy Under new management: MichaelP Phohtioll ibpys ToRf EGNrTe eKnNvUillCeK, LSECS t h e n e w s j o u r n a l . n e t ideas. We are all interested in Phillips said the City Manager was introduced as the new Corbin City Manager on Dec. 28. the same thing. We are all inter- position in Corbin was an Phillips was selected from more than 65 people, who applied ested in doing what is good for attractive one because the city for the position that became vacant when Bill Ed Cannon Corbin and what is good for the had such potential for increased resigned in August. people here.” tourism. Phillips most recently served “I see the tourism opportuni- as City Administrator in Rincon, ties here just being outstanding,” GA for three years. Prior to Phillips said. “You’ve already that, he was County Manager got a strong business setup. for Appling County, GA and This is a wonderful opportu- City Administrator in Chester, nity to me. I’m just going to try SC. He is a Vietnam War vet- to keep it moving in the right eran and held government jobs direction.” New in the family court system and McBurney said Phillips sup- emergency management. He port of and experience with has also been a human resource Motorola renaissance efforts and Main manager for a private hospital. Street programs was a particu- Phillips officially started his Year. lar strong point among com- Milestone X2 new job Tuesday. TM missioners. Commissioners agreed to pay Commissioner Joe Shelton him $75,000 annually. He will was unable to attend the meet- receive the standard benefits • 4.3” HD Touchscreen ing and therefore did not offi- package for city employees. cially vote on the hiring, but • 8 MP Camera Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney said he supported New McBurney said the process that • HDMI®/DLNA® Connectivity the decision to make Phillips preceded Phillips’ selection was City Manager. arduous and thorough. Over Phillips said he and his wife 65 people applied for the job. plan to reside within the city Deals. 99 Roughly 16 were interviewed, limits of Corbin. $ 99* Knox/Laurel deputies say with 2 Year Agreement robberies are connected Knox and Laurel County sheriff’s deputies believe they are searching for the same person as they investigate armed robberies at The Tobacco Hut near Barbourville and Mac’s Fillin Station in Lily, last week. In both robberies the suspect is described as being about 5’10”, wearing a camouflage jacket and armed with a knife. Find out more about According to Knox County Chief Deputy Derek Eubanks, these smartphones the suspect came into the tobacco store about one mile south of Barbourville on U.S. 25E about 8:05 p.m. on Dec. 26, and demand- ed the clerk give him all of the money. The clerk complied and the robber then fled the store in a silver car. The clerk told deputies that the robber was wearing a mask and the knife was a butcher knife with a black handle. According to Laurel County Sheriff John Root the robber came into the gas station just across U.S. 25 from Hunter Hills Elementary School about 9:05 p.m. last Thursday and demanded money. He then fled in a white colored car, last seen traveling east on Springcut Road. The clerk told deputies that the robber was a white male, 5’8”- 5’10”, wearing blue jeans and dark shoes with white soles, along with a mask and gloves. Anyone with information about either robbery is asked to con- tact the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, 546-3181, or Laurel County Sheriff’s Department, 864-6600. Carbon monoxide poisoning LG Ignite™ LG Optimus™ 2 BlackBerry® suspected cause of deaths at Curve™ 9350 • Android™ 2.3 Gingerbread • 3.2” Touchscreen Florida Avenue home • 5 MP Rear Facing Camera • 3.2 MP Camera • BlackBerry ® 7 OS • 4.0” NOVA Touchscreen • Android™ 2.3 Gingerbread • 5 MP Camera w/Flash Though they are awaiting the results of autopsies to confirm it, $15999* $3999* • Bluetooth® Enabled Corbin Police say Jeffery Stephenson, 49 and Rebecca Manning, 59 33 died at a home on Florida Ave. from carbon monoxide poison- $ 99* ing. Stephenson and Manning were found unresponsive inside the home Thursday morning. with 2 Year Agreement with 2 Year Agreement According to Corbin Police Major Rob Jones, police were called with 2 Year Agreement to the scene when the owner of the rental property reported that he hadn’t seen or talked to Stephenson in approximately two days. Corbin Police, Corbin Fire Department and officials from Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley’s office were on scene “all day.” In addition, employees from the gas company were seen at the home. However, Jones declined to offer any details at the time, as police were still in the process of notifying the victims’ families. Whitley County Chief Deputy Coroner Jerry Croley said the bod- The Best Coverage in the Bluegrass & the Plan to go with it. 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News Journal NEWS JOURNAL — JANUARY 4, 2012— A-3 Local News Williamsburg Serving our community since 1908 Corbin Arson suspected in Sunday blaze ■ By Mark White Kentucky Fire Marshall’s Office was sched- the blaze in less than five minutes, and were a rental property owned by Garland Newell of uled to investigate Tuesday morning. on the scene for nearly an hour. Jellico, had pry marks on it, and various items [email protected] A University of the Cumberlands’ secu- “We caught it early. The full structure is appeared to be missing, Privett said. Williamsburg firefighters suspect arson in rity guard spotted smoke coming from the still standing,” Privett said. He said that it’s possible the fire may have an early Sunday morning blaze that damaged 822 South Second Street residence, which “Of course you always have smoke and been set in an effort to cover up a burglary. a mobile home. is located near Hill Street, about 4:22 a.m. water damage. We had hot fire in three dif- The residents weren’t home when the fire Williamsburg Fire Chief James Privett said Sunday and called 911, Privett said. ferent places, but the men got on it quickly broke out and no one was injured. there were three suspected points or origin, About 12 Williamsburg firefighters and two and got it out. We had a little luck, a quick Williamsburg Police Detective Bobby or separate places where the fires apparent- fire trucks responded to the scene. response and a good job.” Freeman has opened an investigation into the ly started in the doublewide, and that the Privett said firefighters were able to put out The back door of the residence, which was case. Murder suspect caught at North Corbin hotel ■ By Trent Knuckles went to the hotel at about assault in [email protected] 9:43 p.m. and located Sims the case and placed him under arrest but failed A man wanted for murder on an indictment warrant. to show in Franklin County was cap- He was lodged in the up for his tured Friday by Kentucky Laurel County Detention sentenc- State Police at a hotel locat- Center. ing hear- ed in the southern Laurel According to court ing. County portion of Corbin. records, Sims was wanted in S i m s According to officials Frankfort for the Sept. 2010 is from with Kentucky State Police murder of 40-year-old Obie Detroit, Sims Post 11 in London, 38-year- Murphy. Murphy was alleg- Mich. and old Marquis A. Sims had edly shot to death during was indicted in Aug. 2011. been staying at the Comfort what police and prosecutors He is currently being Inn and Suites. KSP Trooper are saying was a drug deal held in the Franklin County On the stand: Above, Whitley Jack Riley, Trooper Michele gone sour. Regional Jail on a $200,000 County Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Riley Lunsford and KSP-CVE Police are also looking cash bond. Frankfort Police testifies during a Dec. 28 pre- Greg Reams and KSP-CVE for Robert Witkowski who are continuing an investiga- liminary hearing that alleged Officer Keegan Bray all earlier pleaded guilty to tion into the case. kidnapping victim Melissa Johnson appeared to be a willing participant, and that W’burg alcohol opposition she claimed she was driv- ing the vehicle during a high speed chase through south- ern Whitley County on Dec. 7. At right, Mark Ferguson and Johnson are seen enter- ing Whitley District Court in beginning to organize Williamsburg for the hearing. Photos by MARK WHITE ■ By Mark White A petition, which would allow packaged [email protected] alcohol sales in Corbin, will likely be set for a special election some time next month. Although a petition for a referendum to Citizens for Economic Progress filed the allow alcohol sales in Williamsburg hasn’t petition on Dec. 12 at the Whitley County been filed yet, opposition force are wasting Clerk’s Office, and 544 valid signatures Alleged kidnapping victim no time in organizing. were certified in Whitley County, and 148 Pat Marple, who served as Chairperson in Knox County. of the Citizens Against the Sale of Alcohol If passed, Corbin would likely be allowed in 2006, said an organizational meeting for to issue three licenses to stores to sell pack- the group is scheduled for Thursday at the age liquor of any type. An unlimited num- Cumberland Inn. ber of licenses could be issued to grocery described as willing participant On Monday, Jan. 23, Don Cole, Executive stores, convenient marts and the like for Director of the Kentucky League Against beer sales. Also, restrictions on sales of Alcohol and Gambling Problems, will hold alcohol at restaurants would become more a public forum at 7 p.m. at the Cumberland lax. Currently, restaurants that sell alcohol Inn to discuss the matter, Marple said. must have at least 70 percent of their gross Whitley County Clerk Kay Schwartz receipts from food sales. That would drop ■ By Mark White Police believe that the couple was initially said that she hasn’t heard any word from to 50 percent. [email protected] in a stolen Chevrolet Impala, which was taken Williamsburg organizers recently about sub- Schwartz said that Judge-Executive Sunday, and later discovered broken down mitting their petition. Pat White Jr. hasn’t set a date for the An Ohio couple, who led a Whitley County and abandoned in Lawrence County, Ohio. The measure would allow by the drink Corbin special election, but she said that Sheriff’s deputy on a high-speed Dec. 7 From there, two teenagers allegedly gave alcohol sales at restaurants that seat at least it is too late to have both the Corbin and chase, will apparently remain in the Whitley the pair a ride to a Burger King in Ashland, 100 people and derive 70 percent of their Williamsburg special elections on the same County Detention Center until Jan. 9. Ky. during the evening hours of Dec. 5. revenue from food sales. day. Special elections on the alcohol refer- Whitley County District Judge Cathy “She was abducted at knife point, but I It is the same referendum that Corbin vot- endums have to be held no less than 60 days Prewitt determined during a Dec. 28 court believe she became a cooperating partici- ers approved in 2003 by a nearly 300-vote and no more than 90 days after the petitions hearing that there was probable cause to bind pant,” Riley testified. margin, and one that Williamsburg voters are filed, the cases against Mark Ferguson, 25, and “She was willing going along with what- defeated in May 2006 by a vote of 790 - Citizens for Economic Progress had ini- Melissa Johnson, 23, both of Xenia, Ohio, ever he wanted to do.” 577. tially asked for a Feb. 14 special election over to a Whitley County Grand Jury. Riley said that if he had to make a judg- A petition with at least 268 valid signa- date, but Schwartz had recommended a Feb. Ferguson is charged with speeding 26 mph ment, he would say that Johnson was the one tures from Williamsburg voters should be 21 date in hopes of having the Corbin and or more over the speed limit, receiving stolen in control of the situation. enough to place the measure on the ballot. Williamsburg elections on the same date. property $10,000 or more, first-degree flee- “She is the one, who came out of the In 2006, organizers gathered at least 608 “It will have to be two different elections, ing or evading police, first-degree wanton woods. She was the one, who did the televi- valid signatures on petitions. which will be OK,” she added. endangerment, no insurance, operating on sion interview saying that he was a good a suspended or revoked operator’s license, person,” Riley said. The two lived together in and on five counts of being a fugitive from Ohio, and had a child together. Police abuse lawsuit set for trial another state. Police scoured the Whitley County and Johnson, 23, is charged with receiving sto- Williamsburg area looking for the duo for len property $10,000 or more, first-degree several hours on Dec. 7 before spotting the fleeing or evading police, reckless driving, couple about 6:15 p.m. in the Tackett Creek first-degree wanton endangerment, operating and Mt. Ash areas. on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, Riley said the vehicle took off when he ■ By Dean Manning seized medication she had Restaurant when she was and no insurance. tried to pull it over. [email protected] been prescribed and then stopped by Taylor, who Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Riley testified that police Riley pursued the vehicle for six to seven removed bandages cover- apparently questioned her had been notified on Dec. 7 that the couple miles at speeds of up to at least 80 mph on The trial of a federal ing wounds and then probed about a “loud and potential- had stolen a white, 2007 Toyota Camry from the single-lane road until the car turned up lawsuit against the City of inside them claiming she ly violent argument” among the Ashland area, and were believed to be in Lucy Lake Hollow where the vehicle stopped, Williamsburg filed by a was hiding drugs. employees at the Days Inn. Whitley County where Johnson had relatives. and the driver and passenger fled on foot. Jellico, Tenn. woman who According to the lawsuit, She said she knew nothing The notification noted that Ferguson was Johnson soon came from behind a building, claims she was abused at Perkins was a guest at the about the fight and didn’t wanted in Ohio on various felony charges, and surrendered to police while Ferguson fled the hands of city police offi- Days Inn motel in learn about it until after the and that Johnson, who was also in the car, into the woods. cers is set to begin Monday Williamsburg on May 14, fact. was an assault victim and reported as miss- Riley let Johnson use the public address in U.S. District Court in 2008, where she had trav- The lawsuit goes on to ing. system on his cruiser in an attempt to com- London. eled to meet a friend follow- claim that Taylor referred to About 7 a.m. on Dec. 4, Ferguson alleg- municate with Ferguson to persuade him to Kimberly Perkins filed ing a surgical procedure at her as a man, edly abducted Johnson from a hotel room in give himself up. the lawsuit against the city, the University of Tennessee inappropriately touched Xenia, Ohio, by throwing a rock through a “She hollered on the PA system several Mayor Roddy Harrison, for- Medical Center. The two her then later, with Jones, Knight’s Inn window, and entering the busi- times for him to come out and give himself mer Police Chief Russell shared a room and were searched her room and ness with a knife. up. They were in this together until the end Jones, Officer Michael planning on traveling to seized some medications According to the Xenia Police Department, that is what they promised each other,” Riley Taylor and Whitley County Louisville. that had been prescribed to Ferguson threatened everyone in the room testified. on May 13, 2009, stating Perkins left the hotel to her, along with other items. and removed Johnson from the motel against that the officers detained get something to eat at a her will. See HEARING, page A-5 her without cause, illegally nearby Krystal ABUSE, page A-5 A-4 — NEWS JOURNAL — JANUARY 4, 2012 N J News Journal — (606) 549-0643 ews ournal O News Journal Letters to Editor policy 105 South Second St., P.O. Box 418, Williamsburg, KY 40769 The NEWS JOURNAL (USPS 683320) is published each Wednesday pinion Letters to the editor are welcomed. We invite you to express your opinion on local, state and by The Whitley Whiz Inc., 105 South Second St., Williamsburg, national issues. All letters must be signed by the author with a phone number for verification KY. 40769-0418. Periodicals-class postage paid at Williamsburg, KY. purposes. Please contain letters to 500 words or less. We reserve the right to edit or reject any and POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: NEWS JOURNAL, P.O. Box 418, all letters for any reason. All letters are the opinion of the writers and do not necessarily represent Williamsburg KY 40769-0418. Annual subscription rates: $36.00 in local the opinion of the News Journal. No more than (2) letters per month will be published by the delivery area; $48.00 elsewhere in Kentucky; $56.00 elsewhere. Online same writer. Deadline for letters is Monday at 5 p.m. Letters may be sent to the News Journal, edition only $35.000. P.O. Box 418, Williamsburg, KY 40769 or P.O. Box 1524, Corbin KY 40702; delivered to our offices at 105 South Second Street, Williamsburg or 215 North Main Street, Corbin. (606)528-9767 CIRCULATION Pen Points This newspaper begins its 104th year of publication On the front of the Cumberlands page of this and the Hal Rogers newspaper Don entertainment you will see Vol. Center are great 104. That means Estep attractions in we are starting the Williamsburg. 104th year of pub- Commentary The Arena in lication dating back Corbin should come to March 12,1908 to life and offer when this newspa- events that will per was born. attract crowds. It is a perfect place to It was then when a group of Whitley host small town conventions and this County Republicans gathered in the should be explored. office of Attorney J.N. Sharp to orga- Those are just a couple of examples. nize the Whitley County Publishing Other improvements would include Company. new restaurants, retail establishments, The newspaper was published under industry, activities, and the list can go the name of Whitley Republican until on and on. 1991 when the name was changed to A new year is always a starting point The News Journal. This was done to and 2012 can be a time to make our accommodate the merger of two edi- area better. tions, The Whitley Republican and *Our daughter, Ashley, who had Corbin! This Week. Both of those lived in Connecticut the past 12 years names still appear on the masthead. moved back to Corbin recently. This year I complete 25 years as its While living in that state she had to Letters to the Editor publisher. I was named publisher in deal with snowfalls that came up to June, 1987 and started the Corbin! the windows on her car. Even though This Week edition in August 1987. the winters there were bad she never With 2011 behind us, I am look- was stranded because crews were out Lions Club President thanks Prisoner praises News ing for our economy to improve this clearing the roads no matter how much year. We took a tremendous hit in snow fell. basket program volunteers Journal, opposes alcohol 2008 when several businesses closed. She got her taste of how things are We lost all new car dealers in Whitley here Monday night. When she left our To the Editor: To the Editor: County that year, plus several others house at 6:30 p.m. heading home, I in the Tri-County area. The Corbin Lions Club continues was startled when she called at 7:20 Mr. Estep, allow me to introduce myself. Whitley County is too big to be with- to accept donations toward our annu- and said she had not made it home As you can tell, I am an incarcerated inmate out a new car dealership. I’d like to see al Christmas Basket Program. We have in the state of Florida. I’m not writing to one locate here or some of the dealer- yet. Normally it is a five minute drive. raised $10,464 towards paying for the proclaim my innocence for the crime that ships in the area establish branch From what I have heard the brief 240 Christmas food baskets distributed on I’m presently incarcerated for because the snow storm Monday afternoon totally locations in our county. Christmas Eve. Lord and myself knows that I am, in fact, paralyzed the traffic in the area. This year should serve as a new This is our 63rd consecutive year of pro- guilty and deserve the punishment that the Perhaps nobody could have predicted beginning in several ways. It should be viding food baskets to local families during state of Florida has imposed upon me. No how slick it was going to be and the the time for factions to come together the Christmas season. Beginning with five sir, I’m writing to thank you and your staff folks in the northern states could have baskets in 1949, we have delivered hun- for what I feel is a breath of fresh air. I and work toward a common goal. been as unprepared as we were. But it dreds of baskets each year. myself cannot afford to have a newspaper The potential for the tourism dollar should serve as a warning to be ready Our goal can only be met with the gen- sent to me, however there is another inmate is great in our county. The University when snow is in the forecast. erosity of community members and busi- here who is from the area that gets your nesses. We have also seen a need to meet weekly paper. This inmate is kind enough to When we needed him, pass the newspaper to me after he has read hunger needs throughout the year and will, it. This newspaper has given me something therefore, use any surplus funds to meet to look forward to each week, and when these ongoing needs. We want you to be I end up with the News Journal I read it assured that your money is used responsi- from front to back including all the ads. bly. Please mail donations to P.O. Box 365, You see, I’m not from the state of Florida. Corbin, KY 40701. Sid Strunk was there I was born in West Virginia, but have not We wish to thank over one hundred peo- lived there since I left for the Army in 1968. ple who gave of their time to help prepare I have been all over the world and lived in the baskets and deliver them on Christmas big cities and lived the fast life, but your Eve morning. newspaper has made me realize I wa not In addition to the previous letter to the living a life, but I was missing a good clean editor, the club wishes to thank the fol- small-town life. Sid Strunk Everyone at this lowing individuals and businesses for their Your paper has made me almost feel like was an newspaper will monetary or food donations: I am part of your town. I wait each week to Trent instrumental miss him terribly. A Professional Staffing & Sorting read and see if Mr. Ken Mobley will be the part of making the In his honor, we Solutions, Archie & Karen Marr, Audrey Whitley County Jailer or if Ms. Moses or Norvell, Billy & Vera Gibbs, Carl & Judy Mr. Moses will be the new Jailer. And the News Journal’s Knuckles are renaming our McDaniel, Carol D. Forbes, Christian great things Mr. Jackson and his wife are annual cornhole tournament the Sid Women Fellowship of First Christian doing with their students. It even saddens tournament dur- Check This Out Strunk Memorial ing the NIBROC Church, Chuck Wilson, Cloyd & Associates, me to read of the passing of Mr. Mosley, our Classic Cornhole Festival one of he former parks and recreation director. I had Tournament. Corbin Flower Shop, Delta Natural Gas biggest and most Company, Donation Cans from David’s never met the man in person, however, after We feel this is a Steakhouse, Drs. Brent and Terri Chumbley, reading about him I feel it would have been prestigious in southeastern Kentucky. fitting tribute to someone who helped a honor and a privilege if I would have. For his help, we are eternally grate- Earthgrains, Forcht Bank, Freddie Cox, us so much. I would like to express a little concern I’d ful. He was a great guy. Golden Circle Sunday School Class of (cid:129) In the wake of what happened like to share with you if I may. About 90 Sid died last week after a long fight Central Baptist Church, Henry & June on Corbin’s roadways on Monday, I percent of people end up in jail/prison due with cancer. He was 75-years-old. Martin, Jackie & Sandra Willis, Joan Black, think it is safe to say that one of the to drinking, drugs or women. After reading I attended visitation for Sid at Croley Johnny & Donna Woods, Kathy Goins, Lion your paper, it’s clear that a drug problem first things new Corbin City Manager Funeral Home Saturday. It is clear Sid Jim Castle, Lion Willie Champlin, Marvin does exist in your area, like in many other Michael Phillips should had a lot of friends. & Donna Jackson, McDonald’s (Mann areas across the United States. However, tackle is getting a better I got the chance to speak Enterprises), Mike Sparks Insurance Agency what you don’t have many of are DUIs or plan in place to pre-treat / State Farm Insurance, Mr. & Mrs. Charlie wrecks due to drinking and causing deaths with his family - his wife, and salt roadways in the Moore, Ossoli Club, Paul & Jo Rains, or injuries, or young teens ending up in jail grandson and others at city. There’s a few months Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, Pit Stop, because they were able to get their hands the funeral home. They of winter remaining. It Renew You Medical Aesthetics, Rita Cox, on something to drink and did something often came to our tourna- could happen again real Ron “Bubba” Bowling, Sav-Rite, Specialty stupid and don’t recall it, but they and their ments as well. They are soon. Advertising, Tim & Deirdre Barnes, Titan families will be forced to pay for it the rest first class people, every one Propane (Empire Gas), Tri County Elks of their lives. of them, just like Sid. His Even if some of our main Lodge #2826, Tri-County Cineplex, Venture I am an alcoholic and believe me I know grandson told me that Sid’s roads are state or federal Cabs, Wallen’s Towing & Recovery, Weber what it can do to families. So is it worth the fascination with the game highways, I’m pretty cer- Appraisal Service, West Corbin Christian extra money that alcoholic beverages may of cornhole was a hobby tain the state and federal Church. bring into your community? Just by reading that probably extended his government wouldn’t get your paper, I feel what your community has too mad if we helped them is priceless so why would anyone want to life six or seven years. Sid SIMON MORTIMER, PRESIDENT allow alcoholic beverages to take away what loved to play the game. I out a bit. It can be hard to CORBIN LIONS CLUB seems to me is such a pure, clean Christian think it is good to be pas- know exactly what to do with weather changing so life your area is living? Please don’t be the sionate about one’s hob- town to say “life was enjoyable here before bies. I believe in that. The annual News Journal rapidly, but better to err Don’t be silent! Write a they allowed drinking. You could leave your When this newspaper Cornhole Tournament will on the side of caution. door open and not worry about drunk fights be rennamed in honor of Finger pointing and endeavored to start a and drunk drivers. Yes, it was pure and clean Sid Strunk, of Williamsburg. blame won’t help now. But cornhole tournament over and simple and life was good.” His efforts helped make the when things like this hap- letter to the editor and three years ago, we had Again, thank you for such a great paper. tournament a great suc- pen, we can use them as only a vague idea what cess. learning experiences. we were getting into. Sid TIMOTHY L. LONG (cid:129) One of the cool- see your thoughts in print LIBERTY CORRECTIONAL BINRSISTTITOULT,I OFNL hboelapredds uasn dim smcoernekseeleyp binyg s euqpupilpyminegn t, est things that happened this past brackets and good old-fashioned know- Christmas was my daughter receiving how. He played in every tournament. a reply letter from Santa Claus. She He always showed up right on time mailed her wishes to him in the big DON ESTEP - Publisher/Editor [email protected] with the boards and would stay until mailbox at NIBROC Park. She was so TRENT KNUCKLES - Associate Publisher [email protected] the last bag was thrown, often very late excited that he actually reads his mail! MARK WHITE - News Editor [email protected] into the evening. He made quite useful What a great memory. LINDA CARPENTER - Corbin Office Manager [email protected] suggestions on how to make our tour- (cid:129) I just realized that the difference JOYCE MORGAN - Williamsburg Office Manager [email protected] nament better. He did all this for abso- between victory and defeat in our office DEAN MANNING - Reporter [email protected] lutely no gain to himself, other than college bowl game challenge could like- JIM MCALISTER - Sports Editor [email protected] the pleasure he derived from helping ly come down to who picked the cor- FATEMIA FUSON - Society Editor [email protected] the sport thrive in this area. He did rect winner of the Arkansas State vs. BENA MAE SEIVERS - Columnist [email protected] everything he could to get people into Northern Illinois game in the GoDaddy. MELISSA HUDSON - Advertising [email protected] the game and nurture a community of com Bowl! Funny that one of the lam- TREVOR SHERMAN - Advertising [email protected] local players who loved it as much as est bowls could secure me bragging JENNIFER BENFIELD - Circulation [email protected] he did. rights for a year if it comes out right. NEWS JOURNAL —JANUARY 4, 2012 — A-5 Reams jailed while awaiting sentencing * ■ By Trent Knuckles any chemical weapons incidents. The to be delivered.” Vess [email protected] Depot contains a stockpile of chemical received one payment weapons. on the equipment A former local emergency manage- An Integrated Process Team (IPT) was for $9,996.15, but a ment director, who has pleaded guilty formed by the 10 counties that made up second invoice was to defrauding a program designed to CSEPP. Reams was a member of the rejected. help prepare communities respond to IPT. In addition, Reams *Ask for details. Max size 4 ft. x 6ft. potential incidents involving chemical From Nov. 2006 through Aug. 2007, was also accused of weapons, is behind bars this week for Reams conspired with Melody Vess using $26,029.06 to violating the terms of his bond. Reams to rig bids regarding the purchase pay “unrelated finan- Brian Reams, 43, is asking a judge to of equipment like generators, decontam- cial obligations of the Reams set aside the conditions of his release, ination tents, emergency response trail- Laurel County Fiscal signaling his intention to remain in jail ers, etc. Vess owned a company called Court.” without challenging revocation of his Providing Response and Emergency Vess pleaded guilty to her part in the bond. Prosecutors accused Reams of an Preparedness (PREP) that was founded scheme last September and received a unspecified violation of the conditions in Aug. 2006. He ensured her company sentence of three years probation. She of his release. Documents that could was the low bidder on the project. was also ordered to pay $215,134.30 in 1/2 PRICE shed light on the violation are currently Prosecutors say Vess provided coun- restitution. under seal and cannot be viewed by the ties “with equipment of lesser value and Reams pleaded guilty to a single public. quality than that called for in PREP’s charge of conspiracy to defraud the Reams was formerly Director of the winning bid.” She and Reams worked United States on Oct. 20, 2011. He could Laurel County Department of Public together on purchase of the equipment receive up to five years in prison and a Safety and Emergency Management. He and both benefited from the contract. fine of $250,000. A formal sentencing SHOE SALE was accused last October of conspiring Vess deposited $539,446.35 in a bank hearing on the case is scheduled for with his girlfriend, and eventual wife, account at L&N Federal Credit Union in March 8. to rip off a program called CSEPP - London on May 4, 2007 - payment for Reams appeared before Magistrate Chemical Weapons Stockpile Emergency the equipment. Judge Hanley Ingram in U.S. District SELECTED CLEARANCE Preparedness Program. In 2006, CSEPP The actual lone legitimate bidder on Court in London last week for a hearing SHOES, BOOTS & HANDBAGS! provided $1.8 million to the Kentucky the CSEPP contract had undercut PREP on the bond violation, but it was con- Division of Emergency Management to with a bid of $378,260, a difference of tinued generally. His attorney, Michael SELECTED STYLES TENNIS SHOES “purchase and maintain emergency pre- $152.186.35. Murphy, filed a motion in court Tuesday UGGS NIKE SHOX, K SWISS paredness equipment” so that communi- The duo agreed in January and May asking the judge to set aside Reams’ NEW BALANCE, ties near the Bluegrass Army Depot, in 2008 to fraudulently bill CESEPP for two order of release, assuring that he will REEBOK ZIG, ADIDAS, Madison County, could be respond to radio repeaters “that were never intended remain in jail until he is sentenced. AUSTRALIAN SAUCONY & MORE! BOOTS HEARING: GREAT PRICES ON ALL Judge orders high-speed 30% THE NEWEST STYLES TO PLUS A GROUP FOR 40% 1/2 PRICE OFF chase case on to Whitley Grand Jury B H FAMILY & From page A-3 road during the chase, the for Ferguson nothing that now,” Moses added. SHOE STORE results could have been tragic. both are flight risks. Ferguson is currently serv- “If they had met another car, During last week’s court ing a six-month jail sentence “BIG LOCATION - JUST DOWN FROM K-MART ON THE SAME SIDE.” About an hour later, a secu- they would have wiped out appearance, Ferguson signed in Whitley County after HWY. 25E - CORBIN - 528-0521 rity guard at Rowe’s Scrap half the community,” Riley papers waiving extradition pleading guilty to criminal Metal spotted Ferguson and testified. back to Ohio to face charges mischief. held him at gunpoint until Ohio authorities obtained there, but Prewitt declined to He allegedly led three other police arrived. arrest warrants for Ferguson release him to go back to inmates in an effort to bust Need help Riley said that he isn’t sure on charges of abduction, two Ohio. “My concern is that a through the back wall of their who was driving while he counts of aggravated burglary, mistake will be made, and jail cell at the Whitley County was chasing the vehicle. felonious assault and grand he will be released to Ohio Detention Center in an effort with your Both Johnson and Ferguson theft auto, Riley said. before Whitley County fin- to get to the cells of the female claimed that she was driving Prewitt ordered the pair ishes with him,” Prewitt said. inmates. Jail officials said the and he was the passenger, to report to Whitley Circuit Whitley County Attorney four men didn’t count on 16 retirement but Riley said he couldn’t Court on Jan. 9 to see if they Don Moses said he doesn’t inches of concrete and steel take the word of either one have been indicted. have a problem with Ferguson between the cell walls, and of them. She declined to lower being transferred to Ohio at the fact that the cell located savings? He is sure that if another Johnson’s $7,500 cash bond, an appropriate time. behind them housed male vehicle had been on narrow and set a $100,000 cash bond “I don’t think that time is inmates. ABUSE: Case scheduled for trial Monday Joshua P Curry Financial Advisor . From page A-3 Whitley County Detention Center “in a her attorneys claim is “false and without South Park Center Drive 11 dirty cell with an unkempt man who was any basis in law and fact.” Suite A Perkins also claims Taylor removed lying on an old mat” and was refused The lawsuit claims Perkins’ Corbin, KY 40701 bandages covering wounds as deep as medications and proper treatment for Constitutional rights to be free from ille- 606-523-8306 one and a half inches and probed them her wounds. She says that some of her gal search and seizure and from use of www.edwardjones.com claiming she was hiding drugs, which medication, $585 in cash, three rings and excessive force were violated. She says “caused excruciating and uncontrollable some winning lottery tickets have never she has been physically and emotionally pain.” been returned to her. Her arrest is part of traumatized by the incident and is seek- Perkins says she was lodged in the an ongoing criminal prosecution which ing monetary damages. First day on the job… Member SIPC ABSOLUTE LATE ANDREW ON-LINE ONLY ESTATE COOPER’S 46 +/- ACRES BIDDING ENDS JAN. 16TH, 2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 1 P.M. WILLIAMSBURG, KY Bid Online at www.fordbrothersinc.com DIRECTIONS: : From Williamsburg take Hwy 25 South approximately 8 miles and turn Photo courtesy Kentucky House Republican Caucus/LRC Public Information left onto Hwy 1804. Proceed on Hwy 1804 approximately 2 ½ miles and turn right onto Rep. Regina Bunch, R-Williamsburg (82nd District) shakes hands with Kentucky Supreme Court Sandy Flat Road (near the railroad tracks) and make an immediate left. Go 200 yards and Chief Justice John Minton shortly after taking the oath of office on the floor of the Kentucky turn right onto A. Cooper Road. Follow to dead end. Auction signs are posted. House of Representatives on the first day of the 2012 Regular Session. Rep. Bunch was elected DESCRIPTION: This 46 acres (more or less) is an ideal playground for the outdoor en- last month to serve out the remaining term of her husband, former Rep. Dewayne Bunch. thusiast! Whether it is for hunting, hiking, or for those who love horseback riding or four wheeling, this acreage is the place for you. Woman hides drugs in body cavity AUCTIONEERS NOTE: This property is being offered at absolute online only auction. Please log onto our website at www.fordbrothersinc.com for bidding and terms. This property would be an excellent investment property and ideal for the adventurer. TERMS: 20% deposit required within 48 hours of close of auction. A Whitley City woman is facing a felo- traband. While performing a strip search, Cox Note: There will be a 10% buyer’s premium added to the last bid to determine the fi nal sales price. ny contraband charge for allegedly trying noticed something inside of Hamby’s rectum, ** 3 % broker participation will be offered. to smuggle drugs into the Whitley County and asked her to remove it, according to an This property has not been surveyed and is being sold by the boundary. Detention Center inside a body cavity. arrest citation. About 1:35 a.m. on Jan. 1, Deputy Jailer The bottle allegedly contained two Xanax AUCTIONEER/BROKER/SELLER DISCLAIMER: The information contained herein is believed to be Samantha Cox charged Renee Michelle pills and 1.5 Hydrocodone pills, according to correct to the best of the auctioneer’s knowledge. The information is being provided for the bidder’s con- Hamby, 27, with first-degree promoting con- the citation. venience and it is the bidder’s responsibility to determine the information contained herein is accurate and complete. The property is selling in its as-is condition with no warranties expressed or implied. Announcements made the day of the auction take precedence over printed matter. Corbin woman charged with assault For additional information contact the auctioneers at 800-526-9430. A Corbin woman is being held in the ond-degree assault. Whitley County Detention Center in lieu of a On Nov. 15, Morgan allegedly caused $7,500 fully secured bond after being arrested serious physical injury to Anthony Wayne on Dec. 29 for assault. Eversole by stabbing him in the arm with a www.fordbrothersinc.com About 9:13 p.m., Kentucky State Police knife, according to the arrest warrant, which REALTOR/AUCTIONEER: DANNY FORD, MATT FORD, RON SHAW, DAVID REYNOLDS, MIKE BROUGHTON, KEVIN WILSON. REALTOR/APPRENTICE London, KY Somerset, KY Mt. Vernon, KY Trooper David Lassiter served Heather Ann was sworn out by Eversole. AUCTIONEERS: VERLAN OWENS, MIKE McCOLLOM, DOUG KING, 606-878-7111 606-679-2212 606-256-4545 Morgan, 34, of 453 Frankfort School Road, Eversole allegedly had to have seven stitch- REALTOR BARRY TURNER. APPRENTICE AUCTIONEER: DAVID CASADA. 800-526-9430 with an arrest warrant charging her with sec- es in his arm as a result of the injury. A-6 — NEWS JOURNAL — JANUARY 4, 2012 Looking back at 2011… 2011: Former Sheriff among top stories, again From the front page between two students, ages 15 and 16 years old. Bunch rushed over to break up the fight and ran right into one of the punches, which knocked him to the ground where he also banged his head on the hard floor. Bunch had blood coming from his ears due to a traumatic brain injury. Later at the hospital doctors told his family that he had only a 5 percent chance of living, but he beat the odds. Bunch is currently in a rehabilitation facility still trying to recover from his injuries. On Oct. 26, his family resigned his position as state rep- resentative. Nearly a week later, his wife, Regina Bunch, announced her intentions to seek the nomination to replace her husband as state representative. She was the unanimous choice, and was uncontested during the Dec. 20 special election. Two other teachers were also assaulted while breaking up the fight, but no one else was injured. The two teenagers were charged with felony assault, and their charges are still pending in juvenile court. 2) Lawrence Hodge and associates For the third straight year in a row, former Whitley County Sheriff and current federal prison inmate Lawrence Hodge has notoriously cracked the top 10 list for the year. Last year he grabbed the top spot, and in 2009, he grabbed the number five spot. In late 2010, a special called Whitley County Grand Jury indicted Hodge following a nearly six-month investigation on charges of abuse of the public trust and theft. Hodge left office at the end of 2010, but by March he was making headlines again when the details of a federal affidavit were revealed alleging that Hodge had illegally bought drugs while sheriff, and that he received drugs from area drug deal- ers in exchange for not busting them. Old and new: Above, work- The affidavit also revealed that Hodge allegedly orchestrat- ers removed 15 large, artis- ed the December 2009 break-in at his courthouse office where tically painted trains from several guns were stolen, and that he later sold or traded guns downtown Corbin, the end of taken from his own department. an 18-month public art proj- Days later, Williamsburg lawyer Ron Reynolds, who had ect undertaken by the town’s been a friend of Hodge’s since childhood, pleaded guilty in Main Street Program. Some federal court to taking part in a conspiracy with Hodge to of the trains, which were all extort money from clients Hodge would refer to Reynolds in decorated by local artists, exchange for lenient sentences. were later sold at an auction In July, a federal judge sentenced Reynolds to 27 months in to benefit the program. At left, prison. students and faculty at Lynn In May, Hodge pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of Camp High School attempted extortion, drug trafficking and money laundering, which all to set a world record last year took place during his two terms in office. by playing a game of Rummy U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove sentenced with the largest playing cards Hodge to 15.5 years in prison, ordered him to forfeit $50,000 ever used in such a game. to the federal government, and ordered him to pay $64,897 in The event took place in the restitution to the Whitley County Fiscal Court. school gymnasium and gar- Hodge admitted that he conspired with a former bookkeep- nered quite a lot of statewide er, Vicky Paul, to embezzle nearly $65,000 from the sheriff’s media attention. department. Paul also pleaded guilty in federal court, and in September Photos by TRENT KNUCKLES was sentenced to six months in prison and six months of home and MARK WHITE incarceration. Additional state audits of Hodge’s books, which were released last year, showed a total deficit of more than $240,000. Whitley County Attorney Don Moses announced in December that he was filing an action with Hodge’s bonding company in an attempt to recover at least $200,000 of that money. Hodge’s charges in state court are still pending. 3) Whitley County Jailer The position of Whitley County Jailer made headlines almost immediately from the start of 2011 lasting throughout most of the year. Newly elected Jailer Les Moses, who had defeated Ken Mobley in the 2010 May Primary Election, took over on Jan. 2. After only eight days on the job, Moses resigned in large part because the jail and the county were in worse financial shape than he had envisioned, which would prevent him from delivering on several campaign promises that he had made. Moses asked Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. to appoint Mobley back to the job, which White did on a interim basis. Moses later mulled seeking the job again, but in the end decided not to do so. Although several people sought the Republican nomination, Mobley was the nominee for the November special election against Democrat Joe Fuson. A record number of nine write-in candidates filed to run for the position, but Mobley ultimately garnered more votes than all his opponents combined in the November special election. In October, controversy erupted at the jail after Whitley County Deputy Sheriff Cody Harrell cited Deputy Jailer Donald L. McElroy, 32, of Williamsburg, for false imprison- ment after McElroy wouldn’t let Harrell out of the jail in a timely manner. Head over heels: Above, Michael Fox and Dylan Bell flipped head over heels on the bounce slide during Old Fashioned Trading Deputy jailers refused to accept Johnny Satterfield until he Days in September. Below left, 2011 Miss NIBROC Allison Chumbley presided over the NIBROC Parade in August. Below right, was taken to the hospital and cleared medically, and wouldn’t Sheriff Colan Harrell shows off some of the surplus military firearms, which he was able to secure for his department this year. unlock the door for Harrell to leave until he took Satterfield with him. This lasted for over five minutes. Jail officials contended Satterfield was so intoxicated that he couldn’t keep his eyes open, answer medical questions or stand up. “As to Donald McElroy, he did what I told him and what he has been trained to do,” Mobley said. Eventually, Harrell loaded Satterfield into the back of his cruiser, and deputy jailers opened the Sally Port doors so that Harrell could pull out in his police cruiser. After he pulled out, Harrell cited Satterfield and turned him loose in the jail’s parking lot. 4) Bad Hair Bandit From June 9 through Dec. 1, a thief nicknamed “The Bad Hair Bandit” by the FBI because of wigs and various disguis- es that he wore, robbed seven banks in Southeastern Kentucky and Northern Tennessee. The day after he robbed the L&N Federal Credit Union in Williamsburg on Dec. 1, Williamsburg Police identified the Bad Hair Bandit as Jason D. Fox, 30, of 23 King Mountain Spur Road. Barbourville police spotted him at a traffic light, and arrest- ed him that afternoon. Fox later confessed to being the Bad Hair Bandit, and to robbing banks in Jacksboro, Corbin, Jellico, Barbourville, Pine Knot and Williamsburg, according to Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird. On Dec. 14, a federal grand jury indicted Fox, and his wife, Tasha Fox, 27, for armed bank robbery in the Dec. 1 Williamsburg robbery. Bird said that Tasha Fox confessed to being the getaway driver in the Williamsburg robbery and at least two more rob- beries. Continued on page A-7 NEWS JOURNAL —JANUARY 4, 2012 — A-7 2011: Year in Review continued from A-6 From page A-6 On Dec. 20, authorities used sonar and a magnet to recover the gun, which they Online Degree Programs believe was used in the rob- beries, from a local pond. Enrolling Now! 5) BRMC cuts staff by more than 10 percent - Health Care Administration Through a combination of - Medical Assisting layoffs and leaving vacant positions unfilled, Baptist - Medical Coding Regional Medical Center cut - Psychology 117 positions in an effort to trim $5 million from its annu- al operating budget. The cuts, which took place in May and June, included Call today! 59 layoffs from departments 800-639-6398 throughout the facility. www.midwayworks.com John Henson, who as the hospital’s CEO at the time, MidwayCollege is an equal opportunity institution. said the labor cuts were nec- essary because labor costs I’m Alive... make up about half of the hospital’s annual operating budget. “We could have done sal- ary cuts across the board, because someone but we wanted to negatively impact as few people as pos- like YOU joined sible,” John Henson said at the time. “If we had elected Photo by DEAN MANNING the Kentucky to do an across the board cut, Saying ‘yes’ to no smoking: Supporters of an anti-smoking ordinance in Corbin showed their we would have had 1,100 support for the measure at a meeting of the Corbin City Commission late last year. The measure Organ Donor people trying to figure out passed and went into effect Jan. 1. how they are going to make Registry ends meet.” Center, which was five added that when Lexington staff weeks to put together Henson added that no years in the making, offi- and Louisville enacted their an inventory of even basic AAt 3 months old, Levi’s parents department was exempt from cially opened for business on smoking bans, they exempt- equipment ranging from how wwere told he would not live the staff cuts. However, cuts Halloween. ed Keenland and Churchill many guns there were to the wwithout a life-saving organ were not based on seniority Whitley District Judge Downs race tracks, respec- number of working vehicles ttransplant. He’s alive because but on job performance. Cathy Prewitt presided over tively. As a result, both cit- in the department, of which sssomeone like you said “yes” to “The 59 were chosen by the first court session held ies have been forced to fight there weren’t many. organ donation. Now, Levi is a comparing performance in the new facility. The first lawsuits filed by businesses This isn’t even including happy 3-year-old. He loves to appraisals, attendance and case called was civil case that did not receive similar the overall level of cleanliness run, jump and swim. what area,” Henson said. number 08-C-00383 involv- exemptions. that existed in the office. Please give $1.00 “We had a outside consul- ing Houston Funding II vs. At the second reading of To add insult to injury, Supported tant come in to help deter- Renee Leach. Prewitt con- the ordinance, Gregory joined Harrell started out on day one to promote organ by donation when you mine what areas we could tinued the challenge to a gar- Mayor Willard McBurney with zero money to operate www.trustforlife.org renew your driver’s afford to downsize and still nishment until Nov. 15. and the commissioners in vot- with, not even enough to buy give the care our patients Over 200 people, including ing for the ordinance, which a receipt book during his first 866-945-5433 license. expect,” Henson said. local dignitaries, attended the went into effect at midnight day in business. While there is no lack of official dedication ceremony Jan. 1. However, the community patients coming through the for the new center on Nov. McBurney said Tuesday rallied to help out Harrell and hospital’s doors, Henson 2. that there have been no prob- his department. explained that the hospital’s “This building will be lems reported with instituting Police agencies from across financial problems stem from here for the next 50, 75, 100 the new ordinance. Kentucky and elsewhere the chronic health problems years. We don’t know how donated used police cruisers of the people in Southeastern long it is going to last, but 9) Corbin City Manager for the department to use. Kentucky and the poor eco- this is the day that people Bill Ed Cannon resigns Whitley County High nomic conditions. can remember being here for Days after it came to light School vocational students Out of $24 million in char- many years, the day that we that he was among the Knox pitched in to help with re- ity charges written off in the dedicated the new Whitley County property owners striping of the vehicles along Baptist Healthcare System, County Judicial Center,” said delinquent on their tax bills, with Wynn Fire Equipment. BRMC accounts for $9 mil- Whitley Circuit Court Clerk Bill Ed Cannon submitted his Harrell said that Steve Hart, lion, while producing five Gary Barton. resignation as Corbin City who owns The Outdoorsman, percent of the system’s rev- The Kentucky General Manager. called him the day after he enue. Assembly authorized con- “Please accept my sincere heard on television about the “That is 40 percent of struction of the new Whitley thanks for the opportunity shortage of guns. CUMBERLAND FALLS HWY, CORBIN, KY the system’s total charity,” County Judicial Center in you gave me to work with “He said, ‘I just cannot Henson noted. 2006, and approved its fund- you for the past 13 years; and sleep knowing you all don’t SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 6TH - 12TH With both the health and ing two years later. the personal closeness and have enough guns,’” Harrell FRI. & SAT. ONLY FRI. & SAT. ONLY financial not likely to change The judicial center consists the consideration and sup- recalls. in the near future, Henson of approximately 57,300 port shown by the Citizens Hart had Harrell come to THE DEVIL INSIDE R 2:10 4:10 7:00 9:05 11:15 said Baptist Healthcare square feet, and includes of Corbin and the politi- his store, and donated several System officials are realistic space for circuit and dis- cal leaders that I have been .40 caliber Glock pistols so ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED G 2:15 4:15 7:10 9:10 11:10 about the expectations for the trict court, the office for the privileged to work beside,” every officer had one in addi- hospital. Circuit Court Clerk, and Cannon stated in the letter tion to 10 rechargeable flash- WAR HORSE PG13 1:45 4:30 7:15 11:00 “If BRMC can break even ancillary services. he submitted to the commis- lights, and ammunition. WE BOUGHT A ZOO PG 2:00 4:25 6:55 9:20 11:40 next year, it would be a good Whitley County Judge- sioners in August. The Henderson County year,” Henson said. Executive Pat White Jr. noted However, neither Corbin Sheriff’s Department MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL PG13 1:50 4:20 6:50 9:20 11:45 that the project was com- Mayor Willard McBurney donated four shotguns, and 6) Nibroc “Just Lose It” pleted more than $1.5 million nor any of the four commis- the Rockcastle Sheriff’s SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS PG13 1:55 4:25 6:55 9:20 11:45 contestants drop 1860 under the original projected sioners would comment on Department donated seven pounds in five months cost. whether the delinquent taxes shotguns to the department. GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO R 4:00 7:00 11:00 While thousands who had any bearing on Cannon’s In March, the Williamsburg THE DARKEST HOUR 3D PG13 4:15 9:15 packed Main Street in down- 8) Smoking ban passes resignation. Firestone plant donated 32 town Corbin were enjoying a in Corbin Cannon owed more than tires to the sheriff’s depart- THE DARKEST HOUR PG13 2:10 7:05 11:15 variety of fare including deep Citing his first-hand experi- $4,500 dating back to 2001. ment. fried Snickers, gyros, ham- ence working with individu- Within days of the story “Without the outpouring of 2:00 SHOWTIMES ARE GOOD FOR FRIDAY THRU SUNDAY ONLY 11:00 PM SHOWTIMES ON FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS ONLY burgers and hotdogs at the als who are suffering the neg- breaking, officials in the generosity, we would have SHOWTIME INFORMATION - 528-1505 annual Nibroc Festival, 188 ative effects of smoking and Knox County Clerk’s Office been really hurting. This just SHOWTIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE people were making that final exposure to tobacco smoke, said Cannon came into the tells you that the people want www.tricountycineplex.com push in the inaugural “Nibroc Corbin City Commissioner office and paid everything law enforcement,” Harrell Just Lose It” competition. Joe Shelton proposed and that could be paid in their noted. The top 20 took to the stage the Corbin City Commission office to settle the delinquen- on Aug. 13 to see which one approved an ordinance ban- cies. had dropped the greatest per- ning smoking at all indoor The status of two other (cid:39)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81) centage of body weight. public places within the city bills is unclear as they had In the end, Jennifer Tackett, limits. been purchased by Tax Ease who lost 21.32 percent of her “My main objective is get Lien Servicing, LLC. Those (cid:52)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:72) body weight, was declared the kids away from this,” said bills totaled $923.55. the winner, beating Darren Shelton, who works as a phy- While Cannon resigned Shelley by .76 percent. sician’s assistant, noting that the position, Corbin City (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:92)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:89)(cid:72) Tackett said she and her most restaurants in Corbin Commissioners approved husband, Donald, were moti- offer “smoking” and “non- an agreement for Cannon to vated to get up, get moving smoking” sections, but that remain as an on-call consul- (cid:11)(cid:25)(cid:19)(cid:25)(cid:12)(cid:3)(cid:24)(cid:21)(cid:22)(cid:16)(cid:22)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:19) and get the weight off by does not keep the smoke in tant with the city for the next (cid:11)(cid:27)(cid:26)(cid:26)(cid:12)(cid:3)(cid:27)(cid:19)(cid:26)(cid:16)(cid:22)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20) their 1-year-old grandson. that area and employees are three months. (cid:90)(cid:90)(cid:90)(cid:17)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:74)(cid:17)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:74) “We wanted to be able to forced to work in that area. Cannon was “on-call” to chase after him,” Jennifer The first reading the ordi- city officials during that time. Tackett said. nance passed by a vote of However, he continued to be Whitley County Healthy As it came down to the last 4-1, with Commissioner Phil paid the same salary, $78,000 two weeks, Jennifer Tackett Gregory casting the lone that he received as city man- said she began to struggle “no” vote. ager. In addition, he contin- Communities & Tri-County Clear again as she focused more “More and more, the gov- ued to receive his benefits on doing what she had to do ernment is telling us what to and vacation, though he was to win. do,” Gregory said of his vote. not be eligible for sick pay. the Air Coalition invite you to “The hardest thing was the “I don’t know of a public Corbin Mayor Willard food,” Tackett said. “It seemed place where you can smoke. McBurney said there were like we gave up everything Who is it that needs this?” a number of grant applica- a community health forum on but meat and lettuce.” Also at that meeting was tions in which Cannon was Though the contest is over John Mullins who owns involved as well as other Tackett said she will continue Bingo Zone on Falls Hwy. projects on the table. on the fitness path. Mullins was asking the com- On Dec. 28, Michael SECONDHAND SMOKE “We are trying to change mission to include an exemp- Phillips of Greenville, SC our lives,” Tackett said. “This tion for bingo establishments, was introduced as the new is just the beginning for us.” noting that he spent $80,000 city manager. Rounding out the top five on an air filter system. In When: January 12, 2012 were Christopher Lipps, addition, he offers smoking 10) Colan Harrell takes Trent Knuckles and Rebecca and non-smoking sections office Time: 6:00 p.m. Warren. that are completely separate When newly elected Though Tackett declined and that are serviced by sepa- Whitley County Sheriff Where: City Hall in Williamsburg to reveal how many pounds rate heating and air condi- Colan Harrell took office she lost, Roberta Webb, who tioning systems. on Jan. 2, he inherited what Express your concerns and opinions about a Smoke-free Ordinance for the City of chaired the competition, “Second hand smoke is not can best be described as a noted that the contestants lost an issue,” Mullins said. mess from his predecessor Williamsburg and learn more about this issue from a panel of experts that will be available. a combined 1860 pounds. Shelton said he is against Lawrence Hodge. Webb said the event will any such exemptions. “It’s not like in some sher- Moderator: Adam Sulfridge return in 2012 with the goal Commissioner Joe “Butch” iff’s departments and the Panelists will include: Dr. David Williams M.D., of making it bigger and bet- White responded that if administration changes and ter. the ordinance includes any all you do is say, ‘Here is Mindy Rogers (Kentucky Cancer Program), Dr. Vazey (Pulmonologist), exemptions, the commission the key that fits this car.’ It is Brandi Gilley (Laurel County Health Department). 7) Justice Center Opens is opening the city to a law- somewhat different,” Harrell The new $17 million suit. noted. For more information call Kathy Lay, 549-3380 Whitley County Judicial Mayor Willard McBurney It took Harrell and his A-8 — NEWS JOURNAL — JANUARY 4, 2012 News Journal Local Business Williamsburg Trent Knuckles, Business Editor ([email protected]) Corbin Retail food costs slip downward Marketbasket Survey shows roughly one percent decrease in last quarter of 2011 ■ Staff Report The Marketbasket survey’s top five average price decreases gy costs have gone up 12.4 percent while gasoline prices have for the News Journal reported for items in the fourth quarter of 2011 were: increased by 19.7 percent over the last 12 months. Despite the rise in retail food prices experienced nation- ITEM SEP 2011 DEC 2011 PRICE DECREASE wide, Americans continue to enjoy some of the lowest food The latest Marketbasket Survey, conducted by the Kentucky Idaho Potatoes $4.82 / 10 lbs. $3.98 / 10 lbs. -$0.84 / 10 lbs., or -17.4% prices in the world and spend only about 10 percent of their Farm Bureau Federation in December 2011, indicates that Vanilla Ice Cream $3.64 / 1/2-gal. $3.12 / 1/2-gal. -$0.52 / 1/2-gal., or -14.3% Whole Smoked Ham $2.95 / lb. $2.55 / lb. -$0.40 / lb., or -13.6% disposable income on food each year. U.S. food costs remain average retail food prices in supermarkets across the state have Red Delicious Apples $1.76 / lb. $1.46 / lb. -$0.30 / lb., or -17.0% far lower than that of other countries thanks in large part to decreased by 1 percent during this last quarter. According Whole Fryers $1.37 / lb. $1.08 / lb. -$0.29 / lb., or -21.2% agricultural efficiencies utilized in America. Putting those to the survey, the total cost of 40 basic grocery items was The Marketbasket survey’s top five average price increases efficiencies to use currently allows the average U.S. farmer $115.90. This reflects a decrease of $1.16, or 1 percent, from reported for items in the fourth quarter of 2011 were: to produce enough food and fiber to provide for about 154 the same list of items reported in the previous quarter. ITEM SEP 2011 DEC 2011 PRICE INCREASE people. In 1980 each farmer only produced enough food and While the Marketbasket Survey now reports two consecu- Rib-Eye Steak $9.59 / lb. $10.37 / lb. +$0.78 / lb., +8.1% fiber for 115 people, and that output drops to just 19 people tive quarters with decreasing prices to close out the year, the Idaho Potatoes $4.44 / 10 lbs. $4.82 / 10 lbs. +$0.38 / 10 lbs., or +8.6% when looking back to 1940. fourth quarter total for 2011 is still $6.69, or 6.1 percent, Mild Cheddar Cheese $4.42 / lb. $4.91 / lb. +$0.49 / lb., or +11.1% Cut-Up Fryers $1.68 / lb. $1.98 / lb. +$0.30 / lb., or +17.9% Yet while more food is now being produced on less land, higher than the same reporting period in 2010, and $10.62, or American Cheese $3.39 / 24 slices $3.67 / 24 slices +$0.28 / lb., or +8.3% the farmer’s share of the retail food dollar in America is down. 10.1 percent, higher than the third quarter of 2009. White Bread $1.39 / lb. $1.67 / lb. +$0.28 / lb., or +20.1% According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Food Additionally, the average Marketbasket Survey total from Dollar Series, a farmer earns less than 16 cents per dollar all four quarters of 2011 was $116.34 – an increase of $9.39, While Kentucky retail food prices in 2011 mirrored national spent on food, down significantly from the 31 cents earned as or 8.8 percent, over the previous year’s average total of trends and increased noticeably during the first half of the recently as 1980. $106.95. year, the fourth quarter’s 1 percent decrease deviates slightly Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation has conducted its region- Of the six food groups recorded in the survey – beef, dairy, from what has been reported nationwide. Based on the U.S. al Marketbasket survey over the past four decades as a tool to fruits and vegetables, grain, pork, and poultry – the fruits and Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent reflect local retail food pricing trends and their relationship to vegetables category showed the greatest total decrease with an Consumer Price Index data released in mid-December (which what farmers receive for raw commodities. Cities reporting on average price drop of 7.0 percent. The beef category made the reflects figures through November 2011), national food prices the Kentucky Farm Bureau Marketbasket Survey for the fourth largest average increase of 1.9 percent. Idaho potatoes had the increased by 0.1 percent in the last reported month and quarter of 2011 include: Augusta, Bardstown, Bowling Green, greatest single-item decrease with an average price drop of climbed a total of 4.6 percent over the past 12 months. Brandenburg, Campbellsville, Danville, Eddyville, Elkton, $0.84 per 10 lbs, and the highest single-item increase was rib- Though food prices have a myriad of market factors that Flemingsburg, Gamaliel, Glasgow, Grayson, Harrodsburg, eye steak, climbing an average of $0.78 per pound. Overall, impact total retail pricing, many price boosts can be directly Hopkinsville, Lexington, Louisville, Madisonville, Mayfield, 20 of the 40 items in this survey experienced decreases in linked to the necessary role that energy and transportation Munfordville, Owensboro, Owingsville, Powderly, Richmond, average price, one was unchanged (1-lb. whole wheat bread), have in food production – and their associated changes in Russellville, Somerset and Walton. and 19 items increased. cost, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that all ener- Nursing home group NEW YEAR NEWBORN wants panel to review all potential lawsuits “A long-term care industry group wants a new law in Kentucky that would create medical review panels to evalu- able potential lawsuits against nursing homes, personal care homes and some facilities for the intellectually and develop- mentally disabled,” reports Valarie Honeycutt Spears of the Lexington Herald-Leader. The panel would be made up of three physicians and chaired by an attorney who would not be allowed to vote. The panel’s findings would be admissible in court. The panel would “help eliminate frivolous lawsuits against the long-term care industry,” said Ruby Jo Cummins Lubarsky, president of the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities. “Kentucky’s long-term care profession has seen a drastic increase in litiga- tion from lawyers whose sole practice has been limited to tar- geting our nursing facilities. Their primary tactic is to exploit the integrity of our survey process with misleading advertise- ments designed to alarm the public about a supposed failure to provide quality care in our facilities.” The Kentucky Justice Association, formerly the Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, is against the proposal because it “makes nursing home corporations less accountable for the neglect and abuse of Kentucky’s elderly citizens,” said Maresa Fawns, the association’s executive director. Bernie Vonderheide, founder of Kentuckians for Nursing Home Photo submitted Reform, is also opposed, saying the formation of medical Welcome to 2012: The first baby born in 2012 at Baptist Regional Medical Center was Alaina Marie Kilgore on January review panels is “blatantly unfair to residents of nursing 2, 2012, at 6:39 am, weighing 5 lbs, 15.5 oz to Maggie Neese and Aaron Kilgore. The following businesses donated itams homes.” for the New Year’s Baby this year: Shea’s Fine Jewelry, Baptist Regional Medical Center Gift Shop, Dollar Mart, Sonic, The proposal has not yet been filed for the 2012 General Applebee’s, Walmart- Corbin, Corbin Flower Shop, Arby’s, Nestle, Fashion Gallery, Fashion Palace, POSH Boutique, Assembly. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, a lawyer, has said he Princerella’s, Brookhaven Christian Books, Carousel Florist and Sew Fine Embroidery and Gifts. Pictured left to right, are: “would never support any measure that would deny a person Row 1: Maggie Neese and Alaina Kilgore, Row 2: Michelle McKinney, Amy Jackson, James Hourigan, Mallory Head and his or her day in court if injured,” but added he understands Jayne Head, Row 3: Donna Davenport, Rhonda Taylor, Kelly Burton, Tammy Wilson and Aaron Kilgore. “that small, rural nursing homes are in extreme jeopardy because of out-of-state predatory law firms. 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Some shopping spree, but ideally, you’ll pay referral to a CPA in your area, go to interest rates, annual fees, payment offer additional car or accident insur- your bill off each month or pay as www.kycpa.org. terms and reward redemption will vary NEWS JOURNAL —JANUARY 4, 2012 — A-9 HODGE: O’NEIL FUNERAL HOME Effectiveness of collection HAS BEEN SOLD. As a result I (Curt Dizney) have efforts have no bearing on sentence been let go. I would like to thank everyone who From the front page is due. potato chips through his prison com- allowed me to serve them during the Each U.S. Attorney has a “financial missary account. This got investigators past several years. case like whether his home and other litigation unit” whose sole purpose it is curious. assets can be seized.’ to collect debts (restitution, fines, etc.) In response, Todd Tremaine, a Special It was an honor and privilege. “Right now, there’s nothing in the owed to the government or victims of Agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, record that talks about our effort in col- crime. Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Again, thank you, lecting Mr. Hodge’s debt in this case,” Some common strategies: investigated and found that while at Curt Dizney Edelen said. • Filing liens on any real property the Grayson County Detention Center, “We are only allowed to comment on (land, a house, etc.) that a defendant has Hodge actually spent around $600 from what’s in the public record.” an interest in or a future interest in. his commissary account. The money Now Hear This But Edelen did provide some general • The debt can be submitted to a was being deposited through money information about restitution collection Department of Treasury and any funds orders sent by his mother, Ruth Hodge, efforts. that person receives, like a tax refund, his brother, James Hodge, his son, Basil Firstly, collection can be a time con- would be intercepted. R. Hodge and/or Taylor Landscaping. suming process. • Wages can be garnished once some- Taylor landscaping is owned by a known Ear anatomy may “We have the time period of a defen- one is released from prison if they are friend and associate of Hodge, Larry Carolyn dant’s incarceration plus 20 years to employed. Taylor. amplify irritating obtain full restitution,” Edelen noted. • Oftentimes, payment plans are estab- Despite his opulent spending through Reeves, tones of “Sometimes we are able to collect the lished for those who owe restitution. his commissary account, Hodge has yet Hearing chalkboard squeak debt very quickly and other times it takes Retirement accounts can also be gar- to pay any of the restitution he was Specialist years. Our efforts to collect restitution nished. ordered to make, according to the affi- doesn’t’ impact a defendant’s sentence.” “This doesn’t represent all of our davit. The sound of fi ngernails on a chalkboard sets many people’s teeth Hodge was given a 15.5-year prison efforts to collect debt. Forfeiture and res- A search warrant was granted under on edge. Researchers think they know why. In a study designed to pin- term for his crimes. Since there is no titution are complicated issues,” Edelen the assumption that some of the money point the source of this and similarly irritating sounds, scientists found parole in the federal system, anyone noted. “Hopefully, this gives a general stolen from Sheriff’s Dept. accounts that the most obnoxious elements of the noises may be amplifi ed by convicted of a crime must serve at least idea.” may be hidden in Ruth Hodge’s home, the shape of the human ear. 85 percent of a sentence. According to an affidavit filed in U.S. but federal agents failed to find any In the study, scientists removed information from actual audio clips Assuming that Hodge were released District Court in London last Sept., an money or records regarding criminal of people scraping their nails or bits of chalk against a chalkboard. at the earliest opportunity - after serving informant told police that Hodge had activity at the residence. Two outbuild- They then played these modifi ed clips to willing participants. Half the 158 months behind bars - prosecutors been spending upwards of $300 to $400 ings on her property were also searched study subjects were told what the sounds were; the other half thought have a little over 33 years to collect what a month buying things like soda and to no avail. that they were listening to selections from contemporary music. Sci- entists asked the participants to rate each sound’s unpleasantness, and also gauged the subjects’ stress responses to the noises by measuring their blood pressure, heart rate, and skin conductivity (a measure of JUMP: sweating). Vehicles abandoned along roadways The human ear is known to be particularly sensitive to pitches in the mid- to low-level range of frequencies, between 2000 hertz and 4000 hertz, which is the peak of human hearing. It turns out that when sci- From the front page caused numerous wrecks and left motorists crawling along. entists removed all the pitch information in this range from the audio According to records from Corbin 911, Corbin Police recordings, the study participants rated the noises as more pleasant exit 29 included a tractor-trailer truck hauling diesel fuel. responded to two accidents with injuries and 14 non-injury than other versions of the sounds. One explanation for people’s sensi- According to Steve Douglas, spokesperson for Kentucky accidents between 4 p.m. Monday and 2 a.m. Tuesday. tivity to this band of frequencies is that sounds in this range are ampli- State Police Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Multiple vehicles remained abandoned along the roadways fi ed due to the anatomy of the ear canal; they are literally louder to us William B. Smith, 51, of Gate City, Va. Lost control of the Tuesday morning. than other sounds are. So chalkboard squeak may be irksome because truck and hit a Chevy Cavalier driving by Lisa Estep, 49, of Corbin Public Works Director Gary Kelly said because state the most obnoxious elements of the sound sit right in the sweet spot Corbin. As a result, Estep’s car slid into Shirley M. Laing’s highway crews were unable to reach state roads in Corbin of human hearing. Ford Thunderbird. including Master Street, Kentucky Ave. and Main Street, Brought to you as a community service by The tank on the trailer was ruptured, spilling about 3,000 Corbin road crews made those roads a priority, but trying to Hearing gallons of fuel oil onto the roadway. work around the traffic and the wrecks made the job that much “It is used as heating oil and to power farm machinery,” more difficult. Douglas explained. Kelly and his crew of six worked continuously to get the With the interstate backed up, motorist sought alternate roads clear and keep them clear. He estimated it was after Aid Center routes, primarily U.S. 25W through downtown Corbin. midnight before the crews finally had a handle on it. Corbin Police Major Rob Jones, the department’s public “Nobody was expecting this,” Kelly said. “The forecast was 105 S. Main Street, Corbin, KY - 528-1136 affairs officer, said the amount of traffic and the black ice for flurries.” FIRE: Fire Chief thinks fire started Introducing around washer and dryer area the smart way From the front page called 911. By the time we got out that house was full of smoke.” repairman worked on the dryer Friday. Williamsburg Fire Chief James Privett said to save. “It wouldn’t work, and he came back this smoke was rolling out from the eaves of the morning and worked on it,” Welch said. “I house when about a dozen firefighters arrived threw a load of towels in there, but it wouldn’t at the 215 South Second Street residence work.” about 1:43 p.m. Welch said she thought she smelled smoke, Privett said that the electrical fire started but looked in the dryer and behind it, but around the washer and dryer area, and then didn’t see anything until she went upstairs spread up the back wall into the attic area of NEW to get a box to store some Christmas decora- the two-story, wood-framed home. The home tions. suffered minor fire damage and smoke and “When I got up there, it was full of smoke. water damage throughout. SaveUp So I came back down really quick and told her “We’re very lucky. I’m sure glad this wasn’t to get a good warm coat and to get her shoes a two or three a.m. fire,” Privett added. on because we had to get out,” Welch said. “I No one was injured during the blaze. air purifier It’s simple. Look for the NEWS JOURNAL The smart savings program. ENERGY STAR® to reduce your home energy use. CHRISTMAS COLORING CONTEST WINNERS To learn more, go to What do you want to save up for? Vacation? Home improvements? energystar.gov. 6 & BELOW DIVISION Education expenses? Now there’s an easy, automatic way EMILY HOLCOMB - 1ST PLACE to save–SaveUp! All you need is a Forcht Bank checking account, MCKYAH BOOKER - 2ND PLACE savings account, and Debit Mastercard. Then every time you use your debit card, we’ll round up the purchase amount to the 7 & ABOVE DIVISION next dollar and transfer the difference from your checking account DAVID ROWE - 1ST PLACE to your savings account. YOUR HOME CAN CAUSE TWICE AS GRANT MORTON - 2ND PLACE MANY GREENHOUSE GASES AS A CAR. 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Sheila Lambdin, entering WIlliams, M.D. APRN-BC Marvin Baker, Corbin Main Banking Center Manager 24 years of service to Southeastern Kentucky Family Practice forchtbank.com | Member FDIC 403 East Sycamore Street, Williamsburg, KY Monday - Friday - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm * Personal checking account, personal savings account (Simple Savings or Forcht Friend Savings or Performance Money Market), and Forcht Bank Debit Mastercard required to enroll in SaveUp program. New savings account tied to SaveUp requires a minimum opening deposit. All Debit Mastercards connected to the checking account(s) will round up to one savings account. You must be an account ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS owner on each checking and savings account to enroll. Both signature and PIN transactions made with Forcht Bank Debit Mastercard qualify for SaveUp savings program. SaveUp transfer amounts will be shown on statements. If you do not have suf(cid:196)cient funds in your CALL 549-8244 FOR APPOINTMENTS checking account or if a transaction has overdrawn your checking account, all SaveUp savings transfers will be cancelled for that day. Savings account closed within 180 days will be charged a $25 closing fee. Forcht Bank reserves the right to modify or discontinue this program at any time. A-10 — NEWS JOURNAL —JANUARY 4, 2012 Road crews should be Happy better prepared for snow Moo Iw as driving up It wasn’t a lot of to London about snow, but the road Mark 12:30 p.m. departments got Monday with my caught completely wife to meet some White by surprised. It Year! friends for lunch reached a point when it started to The way I see it where you couldn’t snow. even see the lines Nothing was stick- on I-75. ing at that point, We had almost but I commented to my wife that if made it home, and were about two officials were smart, they would go out miles from Exit 29 when my wife lost and pre-treat at least the main roads. Holiday bills piling up? control on a flat, straight stretch of I figured the main roads were going to interstate, which hadn’t been salted. get pretty slick particularly after dark See us for a bill We spun around two and one-half when the temperature dropped. times, and ended up facing the wrong Besides, it’s not like they had spent direction in the fast bound lane. consolidation loan that a lot of money on snow removal so far Fortunately, the semi and other traf- this winter as compared to the last two fic behind us didn’t hit us. I guess it can lower your monthly years. just wasn’t our time to go. As it turns out, I was right that Let’s hope road treatment and snow payment. roads were going to get bad, but I’m removal the rest of this winter goes not sure there was much pre-treat- better than Monday. ment of the roads in or around Corbin Now for a few other topics before I judging from Facebook posts that I conclude this column. Call or stop by today, saw Monday night and scanner traffic (cid:129) I feel about holidays like many that I heard. grandparents feel about visits from or apply online at My wife had a couple of friends over their grandchildren. I’m happy to see to our home in Corbin to play Boggle them come, and I’m happy to see them www.ffcredit.com. after lunch Monday. Because of the go. On a more serious note, I actually bad weather, they left about 5 p.m. enjoy Christmas and even New Year’s to go home. The one, who lived in Day, it’s just all the stuff leading up to Somerset, didn’t get home until after 9 “the Cash the holidays that get you. p.m. She got stuck on Ky. 80 for quite Apparently I’m getting kind of old Cow” some time. Since she is one of those though. I went to bed on New Year’s people, who always prays for snow, I Eve about 10:30 p.m. can’t say that I felt too sorry for her. (cid:129) Just a reminder for you high My wife’s other friend, who lives in school football enthusiasts. The Williamsburg, didn’t get home until 2012 National Guard Border Bowl about 11 p.m. Monday. She couldn’t will take place Saturday afternoon in get down Gordon Hill because it was Williamsburg. The game features high so slick, so she tried going out the school all-stars from Kentucky and other end of Ky. 312. She ended up Tennessee. Organizers do a great job getting stuck at the Dollar General store for several hours because wrecks lining up talented players and good prevented her from getting to Exit 29 coaches for this annual event. or back to our house. I know some The best thing about the Border Keavy residents waited at Sonny’s Bowl, is that it usually results in sev- Barbeque for at least a few hours until eral kids getting scholarships to play roads cleared so they could get home. football in college. CORBIN – 1610 Cumberland Falls Hwy., Suite C, (606) 528-3007 Monday’s bad weather just goes to The football playing part isn’t as show that it doesn’t take a lot of snow significant as the fact that this will WILLIAMSBURG – 10 West Hwy. 92, (606) 549-5504 to make roads dangerous. enable several of these kids to get a BARBOURVILLE – 401 Knox St., (606) 277-0188 I’ll cite an example from a few years free college education. LONDON – 909 South Laurel Road, (606) 864-2636 back when my wife and I were return- My thanks to the organizers of this ing from her parent’s home in West bowl game, who put in many hours of Equal Housing Lender | All loans are subject to normal credit policies. Virginia when a surprise snow hit. free work to make this event happen. Welcome... To Your New Home We can save you THOUSANDS with our fi nance sources! Before you buy anywhere else stop by and let us put you in your new home. FINANCING AVAILABLE • CUSTOM BUILT • TURN-KEY •Guaranteed lowest prices •We sell the best built homes •New home payments less than rent EDGEWOOD HOMES •We give top dollar on trade-ins SUPERCENTER •Certifi ed deliver and set-up www.edgewoodhomes.com •Friendly sales team Williamsburg •The very best selection to choose from 549-5223 800-317-5337

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