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A preventable tragedy at Pontiki/Excel coal tipple
The collapse of the Pontiki/Excel coal preparation plant last fall in Martin County, which resulted in the deaths of Alvin Nees and Billy Joe “Bo” Daniels, was a catastrophic consequence of negligence, flagrant disregard for safety regulations and the lack of moral and legal responsibilities. A litany of failures As a report by Kentucky Lantern…
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‘The sun shines bright’
BY GARY WAYNE COX I believe all Kentuckians have heard that song and like it. It is the most recognized state song in America. Just about everyone who has been to a Kentucky basketball or football game feels a certain amount of pride standing for our state anthem just before the national anthem. Most people…
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Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal
The proud halls of Martin County High School bore witness to the achievements of its graduating class last week. On May 24, students adorned in caps and gowns crossed the stage with diplomas in hand, marking the end of their high school journey and the beginning of the next chapter of their lives. As these…
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Time for Martin County Water Board to stop kicking the can
The Martin County Water District faces a critical situation with its raw water intake project. Slated for completion by July, this project holds significant implications for the district’s financial stability and its service commitments to the community. According to Tony Sneed, vice president and director of operations at Alliance Water Resources, finishing the project on…
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Honoring mothers: celebrating love, resilience and pioneering spirits
As we approach Mother’s Day this Sunday we pause to honor the irreplaceable figures in our lives: mothers. This special day is an opportunity to consider the influence that our mothers have on our lives and society. These women gave us life and taught us to tie our shoelaces. They imparted unspoken lessons of resilience,…
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A final nod to the Legend and the Dean of Press Row
BY JOSHUA BALL The passing of Teddy Paynter has been difficult to process. We had talked about spending some time together soon. That didn’t and won’t happen. We went on to do other things in life, but every time we saw one another it was just like the good ol’ days and we didn’t miss…
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Kentucky’s 2024 Legislative Session recap
The 2024 Legislative Session adjourned April 15 sine die until Jan. 7, 2025, unless otherwise called into extraordinary session by the governor. During this 60-day session, there were 1,220 bills introduced with the House having filed 838 bills and the Senate filing 383. This is the highest number of bills filed since 2000. Of the…
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Large space needed in Inez for Facing Hunger facility
The specter of food insecurity casts a long shadow over Appalachia. Here in Martin County and the City of Inez, it looms with a particularly stubborn persistence. In light of the forever ongoing challenge, Facing Hunger Foodbank’s proposal to establish a full-time food pantry in Inez is an opportunity that deserves vigorous local backing. Last…
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Public must speak out: HB 509 is still a threat to transparency
BY JON FLEISCHAKER and MICHAEL ABATE Repeatedly in recent weeks, Gov. Andy Beshear has come out in favor of HB 509, a bill that would dramatically weaken Kentucky’s Open Records laws. The governor has tried to assure citizens the bill would result in more transparency, not less. The governor is wrong; this bill will inevitably…
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High-dollar lobbyists are moving bills in Frankfort
BY JOHN SCHAAF As the last days of the Kentucky General Assembly unfold, big-dollar lobbyists in Frankfort are pushing their most controversial bills toward passage. Lobbyists recently shoved their private school voucher amendment across the finish line to set up a massive fight this fall between Kentucky taxpayers and a handful of multi-billionaires who probably…
Category: Editorial
