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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…
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Martin County honors Moore by renaming bridge
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court voted Thursday to rename the bridge at Mullett Branch in honor of Denny Ray Moore, a longtime resident and former road foreman. The bridge off Coldwater Road will now bear the name “Denny Ray Moore Bridge.” Moore served as the county’s road foreman…
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Board shows mercy to disabled veteran after imposing onerous civil fine
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Solid Waste Board extended grace to Larry Oaks, a disabled U.S. Armed Forces veteran, after levying $9,300 in fines against him at a rate of $100 per day since September. The board agreed in a December meeting to “freeze” further fines while Oaks wraps up…
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Privatizing USPS could have devastating effect on rural Kentucky
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION The Trump administration and some House Republicans, including Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., have floated the idea of privatizing the United States Postal Service. Experts said operating the agency like a private business could leave Kentucky’s rural areas without mail options for essential functions such as receiving checks or paying…
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Hal Rogers sworn in for 23rd term
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (R-Ky.) took the oath of office Friday for his 23rd consecutive term representing Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District. “It is an honor to continue serving the people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky and echoing their voices on Capitol Hill,” Rogers said. “We have a lot of…
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New federal rule aims to prevent coal operators from shifting black lung liabilities to taxpayers
by Caity Coyne, Kentucky LanternDecember 30, 2024 A new final rule was issued by the federal Department of Labor earlier this month that will require coal operators who self-insure to post adequate security bonds that cover all of their black lung benefit liabilities. The rule comes as a protection for coal miners who currently or could…
Tag: Government
