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KHSAA needs to get a rule—and fast
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association is charged with upholding the integrity of high school sports. Yet, when faced with a clear breach of competitive ethics, its response was silence cloaked in technicality. During Friday’s district championship between Martin County and Prestonsburg, a Blackcats player picked up a wristband containing Martin County’s offensive play calls
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Government shutdown: A political stalemate with no end in sight
If you are like me, you have questions and concerns about the latest government shutdown. As I said recently, it feels like a political football, something both parties keep kicking back and forth while the country waits for resolution. Federal funding expired at midnight Sept. 30, 2025, when Congress failed to pass spending legislation for
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Is Congress hypocritical?
The American government shutdown impacts about 1.4 million federal workers, with roughly 700,000 furloughed and another 700,000 deemed essential continuing to work without pay. This number does not include the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits. About 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 TSA officers are currently working without pay. Once the government shutdown
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Tragedy of losing a communication lifeline in rural Martin County
Another 400 feet of copper cable may not sound like much. But on North Wolf Road in Lovely and on Rockhouse in Tomahawk it represents the steady unraveling of rural infrastructure that once connected Martin County people to each other and to the outside world. When copper thieves cut AT&T’s telephone line Saturday morning near
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History of trick-or-treating
If you were like me and my friends growing up at Nolan, you looked forward every October to Halloween and trick-or-treating. We were not allowed to go out wandering around after dark. We know the days get much shorter at this time of year. So it gets dark a lot earlier in late October, even
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A happier and more peaceful America
America’s continued national success is dependent on all of us—the American people. Our American people are what makes America a great nation. We have a beautiful land, plenty of natural resources and a great heritage. Yet, it is our everyday actions that make America great. Everyday actions make a difference. For example, do not randomly
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Dear Editor: Thanks to county road crew
Dear Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr. Eric Phelps, Mr. Titus Marcum, and the county road employees for cutting the weeds up Poplar Fork along the ditch lines and creek banks, as needed. They did an outstanding job which allows the road to look so much better/different. I’m sure
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Good to see you, Dr. Robbie Fletcher
It was good to see Dr. Robbie Fletcher back home in Martin County last week. His visit to Martin County High School was a heartfelt homecoming for someone who has never forgotten where he came from. Dr. Fletcher’s story is one of perseverance, humility and purpose. From Little Peter Cave to Frankfort, his journey is
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It is just common sense
I have been trying to keep from writing too many political columns. As they say, “Don’t discuss politics or religion.” But sometimes I just cannot keep silent. To me, many of these issues are not conservative, liberal or even moderate thinking, but just common sense. Some of the news that has circulated over the last
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You are an influencer
Your life may not make a national impact but who knows how far your life might reach? The people, friends, and family you influence today may have a tremendous impact on many others. You never know what an acquaintance or child might grow up to do or become because of you. The difference you are
