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The silent crisis of education funding in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the educational promise to our children is dimming. A disturbing report from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy paints a bleak picture: the chasm in per-pupil funding between the state’s wealthiest and poorest districts is not just widening—it’s reaching a level that was deemed unconstitutional three decades ago. Yet, here we are, facing…
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Resurgence of Warfield Park is a testament
The decision of Martin County officials to revitalize Warfield Park was welcome news last week. Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty and District 5 Magistrate Ronald Workman’s announcement about sweeping renovations reminds us of the park’s importance in the lives of Martin County’s residents. Warfield Park, once the “jewel of Eastern Kentucky,” as the judge called…
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Mural is more than paint on a wall
In downtown Inez, a captivating mural has emerged on the outer walls of the old jailhouse, drawing locals and tourists alike to what is now termed “Umbrella Alley.” A story of passion, talent and the will to beautify a community is painted upon that wall, and at the center of this tale stands Inez artist…
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Solar hiring fair gives Martin Countians golden opportunity
In the face of economic challenges, Martin County residents stand at the cusp of a transformative chapter. With the upcoming hiring fair for the Martin County Solar Project set for Sept. 7 at the Collier Center in Inez, the opportunity for residents to reshape their own economic fabric beckons. With as many as 300 positions offering an…
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Hope for Riverside Apartments residents
Perhaps now more than ever, it is a truism that home is where the heart is. For the residents of Riverside Apartments, their homes have recently been entangled in a web of administrative and utility-related complexities that have threatened to destabilize their lives. The Martin County’s Fiscal Court’s initiative to offer zero-interest loans for residents…
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Waters of concern in Martin County
The July 25 Martin County Water Board meeting laid bare troubling issues and the possibilities of further troubles. First, let’s address the leaky clarifier debacle. Part of a $3.4 million rehabilitation project is nothing to scoff at. It’s an investment to ensure the proper functioning of the district’s water treatment plant and raw water intake.…
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A step forward but a long road ahead for water
The plight of Martin County’s water system is a grave reminder of the critical condition of infrastructure in the region and Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District. The recent request by U.S. Representative Harold “Hal” Rogers for $5 million in funding for Martin County, part of an $85.85 million Community Project Funding package, is a step in…
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Preparing for ‘great revival in eastern Kentucky’
BY LINDA OTTERBACK KBC MSC. MISSIONARY In 2000, my late husband, Larry, and I began a ministry leading us into the mountains of eastern Kentucky. EKY SONrise has led us on a journey of meeting thousands of people across our state and helping in eastern Kentucky by holding retreats, prayer meetings, providing for the missionaries…
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Stories, graves and community: The heart of LiKEN’s efforts in Martin County
In a world that often seems too large and impersonal, it is the intimate narratives and vibrant threads of community that remind us of our shared humanity. The storytelling project, Stories of Place, led by the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), marks this belief. The mission of LiKEN, a Lexington-based sustainability-focused nonprofit, is to build…
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Martin County residents can ‘bridge the water gap’ in EEC meeting in Inez
This Friday in Inez, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s quarterly Martin County Water District Workgroup meeting offers Martin County residents a vital platform to have their voices heard by Frankfort officials. The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Collier Center, 387 East Main Street, a significant opportunity for residents to bring their…
Category: Editorial
