On Sept. 14, Inez will host a parade and a celebration of the thrilling promise of a new chapter in Eastern Kentucky’s outdoor adventure scene. The First Frontier Appalachian Trails (FFAT) is set to open its first adventure trail in Martin County.
The Fall Hill Crawl and the Martin County Harvest Fest will help to mark the long-anticipated soft opening of the trails. Trail riders will join the Harvest Fest Parade to celebrate years of hard work and shared vision for the future of the region. Then they will head out to christen the trail with the Fall Hill Crawl.
Lara Pack, an organizer from Johnson County and a driving force behind FFAT captured the sentiment perfectly: “This is what we’ve been waiting on for so very long.”
It is a victory in FFAT’s quest to develop a trail system in 18 Eastern Kentucky counties.
Organizers believe it’s a game-changer for local tourism and a draw for adventure enthusiasts from near and far.
We look forward to the sights and sounds of the trail riders taking off in Inez to blaze the future.
Let the adventure begin.
Community well-prepared
Martin County is fortunate to have two dedicated and experienced professionals, Clyde Adams and Nick Endicott, at the helm to ensure that our community is well-prepared for the surge in visitors for the upcoming Noah Thompson concert on Sept. 14.
Adams, the new Emergency Management director, brings 37 years of firefighting experience to his role. His deep connection to Martin County and his commitment to its residents are clear in his approach. He has set ambitious goals that reflect his understanding of the community’s needs. His plan to double the number of operational warming shelters from six to 12 ahead of the winter season demonstrates a proactive approach to the challenges we face.
Adams’ focus on providing transportation for those unable to reach these shelters is particularly commendable, as it shows his awareness of the vulnerabilities within our community and his determination to address them.
Moreover, Adams’ emphasis on clear communication will be vital in ensuring the safety and well-being of Martin County residents. His initiative to assess the Martin County Solar Project for emergency preparedness is a forward-thinking move that reflects the lessons learned from last fall’s Pontiki tipple collapse. This kind of anticipatory leadership is exactly what our county needs.
Equally deserving of praise is 911 Director Nick Endicott, whose contributions to improving our county’s emergency communication capabilities have been invaluable. Endicott’s deep roots in the community and his experience growing up around emergency services have clearly shaped his dedication to his role. His success in securing a $73,000 grant for advanced communication equipment, including 60 radios for responders, has significantly enhanced our county’s ability to respond to emergencies.
The Pontiki tipple collapse exposed serious gaps in our communication systems, and Endicott has taken swift action to address these issues. His efforts to secure Starlink satellite internet and convert a donated school bus into a mobile command post equipped with a communications tower are nothing short of transformative. These advancements will improve our county’s emergency response during the Noah Thompson concert and in any crisis.
As we look forward to the Harvest Fest, it is reassuring to know that our county’s emergency management is capable and prepared.