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Martin County Water cannot afford another miss in Frankfort
Kentucky’s new WWATERS program was created for communities like Martin County—places where decades-old infrastructure, chronic underinvestment and limited local resources make safe, reliable water and wastewater service an everyday challenge. Yet last year, when Kentucky lawmakers awarded more $75 million to distressed utilities across the state, Martin County received nothing. Not one project. Not one…
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Thanksgiving reflection: 35 years of community and gratitude
Thanksgiving offers a moment for communities to pause, reflect and take stock of the blessings that shape our lives. For us at the Mountain Citizen, this week carries special meaning. It marks 35 years since this newspaper came under its current ownership and management. Three and a half decades of service, struggle, growth and commitment…
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SNAP benefits are needed, but fraud is an issue
One of the major benefits that was affected by the recent government shutdown was the lack of SNAP benefits for thousands of Americans. These are what were commonly referred to as Food Stamps in past years. No one wants to see anyone go hungry, especially children. Most of us know that many citizens in this…
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Thanksgiving – take time to give thanks
We can and should celebrate Thanksgiving every day. Jesus told the story about the man cleansed of leprosy who returned to give thanks. He pointed out that nine experienced the same healing of their physical problem but did not return to give thanks. The Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving. They gave thanks for the rain, their harvest,…
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Sunshine only stings when it lands on something never meant to be seen
Public officials carry many responsibilities, but one of the most essential is accepting scrutiny. When decisions are made with public money, on public time and in public office, the people deserve clear, truthful answers. That is not persecution. That is democracy. To suggest that accurate reporting is an attack is to undermine the public’s right…
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TV commercials are annoying
Is it just me, or are there more television commercials these days on certain programs and sports broadcasts? I, for one, find it very annoying and aggravating. Thank goodness for the remote control. I can either mute the commercial or, if I am watching two games at once, switch to the other one quickly. Unfortunately,…
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Finding motivation, overcoming depression
It is not difficult to become unmotivated in life. The death of a spouse, health debilitation, financial hardship and many more reasons can take the wind from our sails. About 18-20 percent of Americans routinely struggle with depression. In 2024, one in five Americans reported taking medication for depression. About 31% of women and 15.6%…
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Opinion: Faith without works — in the age of SNAP
BY EMILY BURTON SHERMAN If community churches spend more on stage lighting than on feeding the hungry on their doorsteps, then they have both lost their soul and the faith of their followers. Somerset pastor and great-grandpa Johnny Dunbar knew he needed to take notes for the upcoming conversation with a stranger. “Good Start, like…
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Mamdani, 31/Atlas and streaming services
New Yorkers who voted for Zohran Mamdani will regret that decision and his victory this past week for the mayoral race in the largest city in the world. Mamdani is a socialist and despite his strong sugar coating of the issues and promises he has made, they will not work. His extreme socialist/communist policies and…
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Age: Don’t focus on the number
We battle age at both sides of life. The young adult must prove they have enough knowledge and skills to do the job. The senior adult must prove they still have the health, skills and motivation to do the job. Both sides of the spectrum can be challenging. Actually, at every level it is the…
