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Martin County Health Department: Engaging youth in survey to address vaccine hesitancy in rural Appalachia
BY DOROTHY JOHNSON MARTIN CO HEALTH DEPT In central Appalachia, the Martin County Health Department faced unique challenges in promoting vaccine acceptance. Our community, characterized by limited access to hospitals and public transportation and a history of cultural exploitation, exhibits a deep-rooted mistrust in healthcare institutions. Additionally, the opioid epidemic has significantly impacted residents’ perspectives.…
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Kentucky Farm Bureau awards scholarships to top students
INEZ — In a landmark effort to support education across the state, the Kentucky Farm Bureau, along with its county organizations, awarded 575 scholarships this year, amounting to a record-breaking $790,950. Among these were nine $500 scholarships granted by the Martin County Farm Bureau to local students, underscoring the organization’s commitment to fostering academic excellence…
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AEP Foundation grants $36K to technical colleges, provides lineworker program scholarships
ASHLAND — The American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation recently announced $36,000 in grant awards that support equitable educational opportunities for students interested in enrolling in the lineworker certificate program at one of three Kentucky Technical and Community College System schools. The grants were recommended by Kentucky Power, reinforcing a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion…
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FAFSA Tailgate events assist students in securing financial aid
PRESTONSBURG — Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) hosted FAFSA Tailgate events to help students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 academic year. These events provided crucial support to students, ensuring they had the financial resources needed for a successful college experience. Cathy Hurd-Crank, director of Financial Aid…
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Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House launches free K-12 curriculum
FRANKFORT — Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House has launched a free K-12 curriculum called “Listen Now! An Oral History Project,” providing students with valuable insights into oral history and fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts. As a child, House was always around older people. He listened to the stories they told and learned to…
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How We Owned a Mine, or A Brief History of Kentucky’s Mining Cooperative
A Hungarian immigrant created a collectively owned coal mine that, for a brief moment, proved an alternative to ruthless and exploitative mining operations of Appalachia in the early 20th century. by Anya Petrone Slepyan July 10, 2024 For over 100 years, Himler House stood on a hill overlooking Beauty, formerly Himlerville, in Martin County, Kentucky. Once the…
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Appalachian Artist Festival triumphs in Inez
BY BUGS DIXON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Plans for an even more spectacular Appalachian Artist Festival in 2025 are already underway following the success of this year’s event. Hosted by the City of Inez, the festival defied Saturday’s rainy forecasts, offering a day rich with music, art and cultural celebration. Conceived by Inez Commissioner Jennifer…
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Appalachian Artist Festival to open with dance
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — The Appalachian Artist Festival kicks off Saturday with a celebration of the art of dance. Performances by students from The Inez Dance Academy are set to begin at 10:30 a.m. onstage. The Inez Dance Academy, founded in 2022 by Abbie Crowe Fitch, has become a mainstay of the local arts scene.…
Category: Community
