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Hunters achieve near-record deer harvest
Hunters collectively recorded a near-record harvest of deer during Kentucky’s 2024-25 season. Deer hunters took 149,868 deer – the state’s second-highest harvest ever recorded. Additionally, hunters harvested more deer from public land than any previous year. The percentage of antlered deer taken this past season also set a record. “We’re very pleased with harvest results,”…
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Big Sandy Community and Technical College hosts cyber summit
PRESTONSBURG — Big Sandy Community and Technical College hosted the first Eastern Kentucky Cyber Summit on Thursday at the Mountain Arts Center. The event brought together industry leaders, cybersecurity experts, and community members to discuss the latest advancements and cybersecurity resources. Featured speakers included cybersecurity professionals, leaders from the Kentucky branch of the Cybersecurity and…
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Martin County falls to defending state champ Lyon County in All ‘A’
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN OWENSBORO — Martin County traveled to the other side of the state last week for the All ‘A’ state tournament at the Owensboro Sportscenter. Defending KHSAA state champion Lyon County defeated the Cards 72-53. Peyton Davis hit the scoreboard first for the Cards on a trey from the wing. Martin…
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Prescription for Kentucky: EKU’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine
BY DAVID MCFADDIN EKU PRESIDENT For many Kentuckians including myself, the mission to improve access to quality healthcare across our state—especially in rural areas—is deeply personal. As an Eastern Kentuckian and the president of a university serving the state’s most underserved communities, I feel a profound responsibility to help our friends and neighbors get the…
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Inside the brutality of USP Big Sandy: Former prison lieutenant’s plea reveals culture of abuse
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN DEBORD — In a case that exposes the violent underbelly of the federal prison in Martin County, a former lieutenant at the United States Penitentiary Big Sandy has pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate inmates’ civil rights. The plea reveals chilling details of systemic abuse and a shadow policy targeting…
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Martin County School Board establishes police force
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County School District is establishing its own district-based police force that will employ school resource officers. The BOE voted unanimously for the measure during a Jan. 9 meeting. Superintendent Larry James announced during the meeting that a certified police officer had expressed interest in joining the…
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Student injured in bathroom assault
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A student at Martin County High School was hospitalized Monday after being assaulted in a school bathroom, his father said. The student, who suffered a concussion and facial injuries, was treated and released later that day. He is pursuing criminal charges against the alleged attacker. The incident occurred…
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Kermit in line for $5K from Lipitor settlement
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT, W.Va. — The Town of Kermit will be receiving $5,000 as part of an antitrust lawsuit filed by West Virginia against two pharmaceutical companies. Mayor Charles Sparks announced the news at a Jan. 13 council meeting. The mayor detailed the backstory: a $17 million settlement stemming from claims that Pfizer…
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Proud of Cardinals, Panthers on these cold winter days
The recent extremely cold winter weather has been tough on everyone. But some good things have happened over the last week or so. Big congratulations go out to both of Martin County’s high school basketball teams. The Lady Cards, led and coached by local legend Robin Harmon Newsome, won the 15th Region All “A” Classic…
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The Panama Canal and ice water in hell
The United States spent almost $500 million (roughly equivalent to $15.2 billion in 2023) to finish the Panama Canal project. This was by far the largest American engineering project to date. The canal was formally opened on Aug. 15, 1914, with the passage of the cargo ship SS Ancon. The French diplomat and entrepreneur Ferdinand…
