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Water bill battle: Kermit Council resolves dispute after resident’s arrest and jail time
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT, W.Va. — With a misdemeanor case still pending, the Kermit Council agreed to resolve the issue of an alleged broken lock and damaged water meter that led to the arrest of a resident. Officials gave Etta Kiser until March 21 to pay $175 for the damaged meter and labor…
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Martin County ‘cheated’ out of water and wastewater funding
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — When House Joint Resolution 30 came up for a vote in the state Legislature on Feb. 27, Representative Bobby McCool voted “no,” citing the bill’s failure to allocate funding to Martin County despite its long-standing water and wastewater issues. McCool congratulated the water and wastewater recipients listed in…
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‘We will not be erased:’ LGBTQ+ Kentuckians rally for fairness in Capitol
by Sarah Ladd, Kentucky LanternMarch 11, 2025 FRANKFORT — Gov. Andy Beshear plans to veto a bill that would undo his executive order restricting conversion therapy in Kentucky, should it pass the legislature and reach his desk. He made the promise at the 2025 Fairness Rally, held in the Capitol rotunda Tuesday. Beshear, who made…
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House rejects Senate changes to bill granting school districts calamity days
by McKenna Horsley, Kentucky LanternMarch 11, 2025 FRANKFORT — The Kentucky House on Tuesday rejected Senate changes to a bill originally meant to give relief to Kentucky schools from weather-related closings. In a voice vote, the House refused to concur in the Senate version of House Bill 241. Last week, the Senate tacked on changes that…
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Supporting local newspapers puts community first; HB 368 will harm communities and newspapers
BY JANE ASHLEY PACE 2024 KPA PRESIDENT Every county in Kentucky has one local business that has been there longer than any other, most more than a century – while some are even closing in on two centuries. In many of these counties, that business is their local newspaper. I manage two of those local…
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Compliance is where you find the ‘light’
Public trust is the foundation of good governance. When agencies handle taxpayer money, they owe the public full transparency and accountability. That is precisely what lawmakers intended when they enacted KRS 65A in 2013. With the recent suspension of state funding for three Martin County entities—the Tourism Commission, Housing Authority, and Big Sandy Regional Airport…
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United States safer without violent criminals and gang members
President Donald Trump and his staff have hit the ground running. Especially when it comes to arresting violent criminals who are illegal immigrants and sending them back to their country of origin. I.C.E. (Immigration Customs Enforcement) started their roundup on day No. 1. Since then, thousands have been arrested and many have already been loaded…
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Inside the brutality of USP Big Sandy: Former prison lieutenant’s plea reveals culture of abuse
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN DEBORD — In a case that exposes the violent underbelly of the federal prison in Martin County, a former lieutenant at the United States Penitentiary Big Sandy has pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate inmates’ civil rights. The plea reveals chilling details of systemic abuse and a shadow policy targeting…
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The Panama Canal and ice water in hell
The United States spent almost $500 million (roughly equivalent to $15.2 billion in 2023) to finish the Panama Canal project. This was by far the largest American engineering project to date. The canal was formally opened on Aug. 15, 1914, with the passage of the cargo ship SS Ancon. The French diplomat and entrepreneur Ferdinand…
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Magistrates want asphalt
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County leaders advanced efforts to enhance roads and outdoor recreation during Thursday’s Fiscal Court meeting. Magistrates unanimously voted to spend federal funds for additional asphalt to use across the county. They also approved an agreement with First Frontier Appalachian Trails (FFAT) whereby the county will use its…
Tag: Government
