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Changes I think we need in America
After watching the recent debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, it was obvious we need to have our presidential candidates complete a cognitive test. Cognitive tests are short, quick tests to check how well your brain is functioning. These test results should be made public to the voters so they can be informed and…
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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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Be careful walking after dark: The police may be scary
Freedom to move about the country is a wonderful privilege. Let us be appreciative of our freedom this Fourth of July week. Recently, I was taking a late-night walk in Owenton, Kentucky. Owenton is a little town of maybe 600 people in rural north central Kentucky. I had just finished watching the sad Biden-Trump debate…
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Appalachian phrases and words that you may still use
People who live in the heart of the Appalachia region, which spreads across the mountains of West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, southwestern Virginia, and into parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and eastern Tennessee, can easily be identified by their dialect. It still amazes me that when we travel away from the area, people can guess…
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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…
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The Ten Commandments: Surely we are willing to try
Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana recently signed into law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in Louisiana’s classrooms. This is the first law of its kind in the country since 1980 when a more moderate Supreme Court ruled a similar Kentucky law unconstitutional. The new law gives schools until Jan. 1 to display the…
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Trying to stay cool during the hot days of summer
It looks like the temperatures have gotten very hot the last few days as we officially start summer. We have actually had some mild weather before this heat wave began. I have always liked summer, especially when I was younger and more active. But now that I have gotten older, it is tougher to take…
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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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Want money? Work and save some
The average stock market return has been about 10% every year for nearly the last century, as measured by the S&P 500 index. In some years, the market returns more than that, and in other years it returns less. Talk to a stockbroker or someone who works with Individual Retirement Accounts, or do internet research…
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Remembering West Virginia legend Jerry West
Jerry West, perhaps the most famous person and athlete ever from the state of West Virginia, passed away last week at the age of 86. A native of rural Kanawha County and hailing from Cheylan, he led East Bank High School to a state title back in 1956. West is the most decorated athlete ever…
Category: Opinion
