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Blazing trails in Inez
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…
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Strengthening support for senior citizens through meal delivery
The Martin County Senior Citizens Center (MCSCC) is making a move to better serve the community’s senior residents by adding new vehicles to its meal delivery program. This is thanks to support from the Martin County Fiscal Court. This expansion will allow the center to reach more seniors who depend on these meals for their…
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Protecting public education: Vote ‘No’ on Amendment 2
Kentucky voters are facing a decision this November that could fundamentally alter the future of public education in the state. Amendment 2, a proposed change to the Kentucky Constitution, seeks to give the Legislature the power to divert public tax dollars away from public schools and direct them toward private institutions. The implications of this…
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Cheers to Inez and the Appalachian Artist Festival
The Appalachian Artist Festival in Inez set a high standard on Saturday, Aug. 3. Its success was marked by incredible artistry, phenomenal music and responsible enjoyment, making it a model for other festivals. One notable aspect of this year’s festival was the inclusion of alcohol sales. Introducing such an element to public events naturally raises…
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Library should be a library
The library needs to move out of the community center building and back into the library building. Why? Simple. The library cannot afford the upkeep of the community center building. The library moved into the Roy F. Collier Community Center in 2020. In 2019, the library finished the year with $914,000 in cash in the…
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Ageism is disgusting and dangerous
BY ELLEN J. HAHN (AGE 71) The blatant ageism encircling the 2024 Presidential campaign is disgusting and dangerous. Age has taken center stage in our political discourse. A recent opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, “Trump and Biden, Two Old Men Facing Armageddon,” is symbolic of the persistent bias against aging in our society.…
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Louisa CMH Tribute Show: A remarkable Appalachian affair
The Country Music Highway Tribute Show in Louisa this past weekend was a remarkable Appalachian affair. Organized by Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), it was the essence of Appalachian spirit, kinship and talent. At the heart of the event was the symbolic passing of the torch from the legendary Ricky Skaggs to the 12-year-old prodigy Adalyn Ramey.…
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A clarion call for fairness
In our community, the newspaper serves as a foundation of informed citizenship, diligently reporting the news that keeps the public aware and engaged. Over our 35 years at the Mountain Citizen, we have encountered complaints from various individuals, including citizens, public officials and political factions who have found themselves or their associates spotlighted in our…
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Happy Fourth of July
BY SENATOR PHILLIP WHEELER Let us reflect on our nation’s remarkable journey, which started as a country that sought freedom from British oppression over 4,000 miles away. Our nation’s founders, driven by enlightened thought, fought tirelessly for the most extraordinary human experiment in self-governance the world has ever known. Today, our men and women in…
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Saluting Deputy Bellamy’s heroic actions and the critical role of Narcan and training
In the early hours of Thursday, a situation that could have ended in tragedy was averted through the quick thinking and decisive actions of Deputy Justin Bellamy of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. This incident brings to the limelight the life-saving importance of Narcan and comprehensive emergency response training. Deputy Bellamy responded to a call…