Newspaper coin rack stolen

A coin-operated newspaper rack belonging to The Mountain Advocate newspaper was stolen recently. The machine was located at the exit of the Barbourville Post Office parking lot, alongside a machine belonging to another newspaper. The other machine was left in place.

When Advocate reporter and deliveryman Larry Spicer noticed the machine was missing, he inquired with post office staff who hadn’t seen anything. After that inquiry, a report was filed with the Barbourville Police Department.

“Depending on when the machine was taken, chances are the thieves didn’t get much in the way of money,” said Mountain Advocate Publisher Charles Myrick. “The real value here is in the machine itself. A coin-operated newspaper rack can cost upwards of $500 new.”

Over the years, heavy theft from coin machines have pushed newspapers nationwide to mostly abandon sales using the machines, which operate with the integrity of purchaser in mind. “Taking more than one paper is theft,” said Myrick, adding “we’ve witnessed people we wouldn’t suspect take multiple papers out of the box in front of our office door.”

Due to the tornado damage at Speedy Mart in Corbin, the coin machine from that location has been moved to the Barbourville Post Office until the store reopens, at which time a new box will be placed at the business.

Anyone with information regarding the missing coin machine should notify Barbourville Police or Mountain Advocate Publisher Charles Myrick at 606-546-9229.