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KY education commissioner sounds alarm about sudden halt in federal COVID payments to schools
by McKenna Horsley, Kentucky LanternApril 1, 2025 Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher on Tuesday urged school superintendents to contact their lawmakers in Congress about a sudden halt in payments from federal pandemic relief funds. His call to action comes after U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon notified state education departments on March 28 that they…
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Call to Action: USED will harm schools and districts
BY DR. ROBBIE FLETCHER COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION On Friday evening, March 28, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon sent an email to all state education agencies notifying us that the U.S. Department of Education (USED) is changing the deadline it previously provided to liquidate COVID relief funds to end at 5 p.m., this past Friday,…
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Martin County Arrest Report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Willis Horn, 34, of Inez, was arrested Saturday on Big Elk in Beauty for reckless driving, fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, wanton endangerment, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and possession…
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Public meeting for comments on proposed recovery housing in Inez
INEZ — Thrive Community Coalition has announced a public meeting to gather input from residents and stakeholders on its application for grant funding for a proposed multi-family recovery housing project in Inez. In a public notice printed April 2 in the Mountain Citizen, the organization said it will hold a virtual public hearing Friday, April…
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Dinner tantrum ends in arrest for local man
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PILGRIM — Things got messy at Verlia’s Kitchen on Thursday. Authorities say Dallas Maynard, 72, of Pilgrim, turned the afternoon into chaos inside the popular eatery on KY-1714. Martin County Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Kidd responded to an “altercation in progress” call that led him to Verlia’s, where things were…
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Saying he is ‘grateful’ to lawmakers, Beshear signs bill for Kentucky flood aid into law
by McKenna Horsley, Kentucky LanternMarch 31, 2025 Gov. Andy Beshear signed a bill into law that sets up a new state aid fund for Kentucky communities affected by recent floods, though he has said the bill “isn’t enough.” House Bill 544, which received final passage in the General Assembly Friday with bipartisan support, establishes a…
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The lost art of letter writing
The art of writing a letter to a family member or friend is a thing of the past. Writing a letter and mailing it to someone has become very rare indeed. Handwritten correspondence between individuals has become a thing of the past. With email, social media and other internet platforms – communicating by letter just…
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Healthy Happenings: Get your mammogram and enter to win
BY DOROTHY DILLON Early detection saves lives. Regular mammograms are key to catching breast cancer early when it is most treatable. Schedule and keep your appointment with the Mobile Mammogram Unit at the Martin County Health Department on April 8 and you will be entered into a $100 gift card drawing. To schedule, please call…
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When do people die?
A Catholic Priest, A Jewish Rabbi and a Baptist minister were discussing the beginning of life. The Priest said, “Life begins at conception.” The Rabbi said he believed at birth. The Baptist minister thought for a minute and said, “I believe life begins when the last child leaves home and the dog dies.” While there…
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Cause for Paws 5K rescheduled for April 19
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON — Massive flooding in the Tug Valley forced organizers to delay the 2025 Cause for Paws 5K/1 Mile Walk, which typically takes place in February. The Tug Valley Road Runners Club presents the race each year with support from local businesses and individuals. Proceeds benefit Save Our Strays (SOS) Animal Rescue,…
