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The right thing should be the bare minimum
The residents of Martin County have endured enough—especially when it comes to their water infrastructure. In a county where water infrastructure failures are a painful routine, the latest crisis—the budget deficit caused by the stalled raw water intake project—feels like a betrayal. Nearly four years after the project’s groundbreaking, the water district is staring down…
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Community college: Think about it
Parents and high school seniors should seriously talk about community college or even a trade school. Community college is not an exciting, exotic choice, but it can be the better choice in the long run. The national average in-state tuition for community college is $4,847 per year. Costs vary a bit depending on classes and…
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Sci-fi gadgets that became reality
If you are a fan of the original “Star Trek” television series, you may remember the “communicator” they used. It was a handheld device that allowed them to talk back and forth from almost anywhere. It sort of looked like our early flip-phone cell devices. Fast forward to today and just a few years ago…
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Honor labor and love of mothers
On this Mother’s Day, we turn our attention to the women whose quiet strength sustains families and communities. Motherhood is not a role confined to biology or tradition. The calling takes countless forms, all grounded in a devotion to others. It is the grandmother stepping in when needed, the foster mother embracing children as her…
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Can you live without China’s junk?
What does China export to the United States? Items include electronics, machinery, furniture, bedding, clothing, footwear, toys, cars, motorcycles, medical equipment, needles and catheters. There is of course more. These and other products are a big part of the over $48.83 billion in exports China sent to the U.S. in December 2024 alone. For the…
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Mom and the alien bug
BY VICKI LOVERN A few years before my mom passed away, she stumbled upon an alien bug sunning itself on her front porch. After a sun-filled Fourth of July, she stared down at the eerily cute creature and wondered if the heat of the day was causing her to hallucinate. It was both cute and…
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‘Skip the Line’
BY JIM GRAY Every day, Kentuckians rely on the services of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet – from maintaining the roads they travel to issuing the licenses that allow them to drive, operate businesses and more. We hear the frustration when things don’t work as expected. And even though there are reasons for these challenges, we…
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Conspiracy theories that were false
It is fascinating how a story that is not true can become real among conspiracy theorists. It has happened for years but can be more prominent in today’s world with social media and the internet. I am sure many of you my age are Beatles fans. One of the first conspiracy theory claims I recall…
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Tragic death of Virginia Giuffre
Virginia Giuffre recently committed suicide. She was 41 years old and had three children. Giuffre had accused Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew of sexual abuse when she was underage. She died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound last week at her home in Australia. Giuffre had struggled with intense emotional pain due to decades of trauma…
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Song of hope for Martin County
Sometimes a song is more than just music—it’s hope. That is what Oliver Anthony’s upcoming Rural Revival concert in Inez promises to be. On May 17, our town will welcome an artist who understands the soul of rural America. Anthony is bringing visibility to our community that too often feels invisible. This event is not…
