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Martin County Fiscal Court does well in FY2022 audit despite leadership change
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — State Auditor Mike Harmon has released the annual audit of the financial statement of the Martin County Fiscal Court for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022. Despite a sudden change in county leadership following the death of former Judge/Executive Victor Slone, the audit noted fewer issues…
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Public invited to discuss mental health needs of families and children at virtual meetings
FRANKFORT — Citizen Foster Care Review Boards statewide are hosting virtual town hall meetings to talk about mental health challenges for Kentucky families and children, including those that result in children being placed in foster care. Residents of Martin County and other eastern Kentucky counties are invited to attend a meeting Thursday from noon-1 p.m.…
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Library summer reading participants have chance to win $529 college savings account
FRANKFORT — Four Kentucky children can win $529 each toward a college savings account this year by participating in a summer reading program at their local public library. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority and KYSaves529 have launched the “All Together Now” College Savings Summer Reading Sweepstakes as…
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Leave young wildlife alone
Newborn animals appear across the state in springtime BY LISA JACKSON FRANKFORT — From forests and farms, to neighborhoods and even downtown in our cities, spring brings with it a surge in newborn wildlife across Kentucky. It also brings the potential for well-meaning people to jeopardize the health and safety of these vulnerable animals. The…
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Russell receives KFW award
FRANKFORT — More than two dozen Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources employees were honored at a special awards luncheon earlier this month in Frankfort, including Jason Russell of Martin County. Russell, the Eastern Fisheries District Program coordinator, received the Kerry Prather Award of Distinction. Russell has more than 23 years of service with…
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Federal Medicaid renewal coming soon
Kentuckians who received benefits during pandemic must participate in the annual renewal FRANKFORT — Due to action by Congress, Gov. Andy Beshear reminded Kentuckians the federal pandemic benefit that made it easier for low-income families to sign up for free health care is changing. Starting this year, Medicaid enrollees must once again participate in an…
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Auditor announces paid internship program for students
Applications being accepted now for summer 2023 positions FRANKFORT, Ky. — Beginning in the summer of 2023, the Auditor of Public Accounts will offer seasonal, paid internships to college students. The APA announced in a press release March 1 that it is launching its first “Follow the Data Internship Program” this summer. The title of…
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Arts Council accepting applications for Al Smith Fellowship, Emerging Artist Award
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting applications from literary artists for the $7,500 Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship and the $1,000 Emerging Artist Award. Literary arts include fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and play/screenwriting. The deadline to apply is March 15. The prestigious Al Smith Fellowship is named after the late Kentucky journalist Al…
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Legislative Update: Why lower income taxes?
BY REPRESENTATIVE BOBBY MCCOOL Before I begin this week’s legislative update, I want to thank everyone who took the time to complete my legislative questionnaire. As I read through the responses, I noticed that someone asked, “Why do we want to lower income taxes?” and thought I might answer it in this column. The fact…
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Dr. Fletcher, Gov. Beshear speak on teacher shortage at KASA presser
BY PHILL BARNETTMOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — Dr. Robbie Fletcher, Lawrence County Superintendent and former Sheldon Clark High School principal, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear were among those to speak in Frankfort Monday at a press event held by the Kentucky Association of School Administrators. The KASA called the press conference to bring attention to the…