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Judge shakes up water board leadership
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — In a major shift, Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty appointed two new faces to the Martin County Utility Board, replacing members Jimmy Don Kerr, the chairman, and BJ Slone. The move signals a new chapter for the county as it navigates critical infrastructure challenges. Lafferty announced the appointments…
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New bridge on Murray Road completed thanks to emergency funds
BY ROGER SMTIH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Residents of Murray Road in Inez can now travel safely over a newly completed bridge funded by emergency road assistance from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The project, which cost approximately $110,672, was completed with an 80/20 funding match, leaving Martin County responsible for $22,134. Eric Phelps, Martin County’s…
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Addiction recovery company under FBI investigation reducing staff, blames reimbursement cuts
BY: DEBORAH YETTER – SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 3:45 PM Kentucky’s largest provider of drug and alcohol treatment is cutting staff and restructuring some services, citing significant cuts in Medicaid reimbursement from the government health plan that covers almost all of its clients. Addiction Recovery Care, or ARC, based in Louisa, said in a statement Thursday that, as a…
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Casey appointed to Williamson mayor seat
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The Williamson City Council voted 2-1-1 to appoint Mike Casey as mayor on Friday. Casey abstained from the vote as he was serving as councilman in Ward 4. Councilman Stuart Hight gave the one opposing vote. Councilmen Ralph Hall and Bill Burgett voted in favor of naming Casey, who…
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The Rural Americans Too Poor for Federal Flood Protections
A data-driven disaster tool shows “bias” against rural communities. by Claire Carlson and Elizabeth Miller / Climate Central, The Daily Yonder August 12, 2024 On the day he would become homeless, Wesley Bryant was awoken by his wife, Alexis. This story was produced through a collaboration between the Daily Yonder, which covers rural America, and…
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Addiction Recovery Care says it’s cooperating with FBI investigation into possible fraud
by Deborah Yetter, Kentucky Lantern August 2, 2024 Kentucky’s largest provider of addiction treatment services, Addiction Recovery Care, or ARC, is the subject of an FBI investigation into possible health care fraud, according to a July 30 post on a website of the federal agency’s Louisville office. ARC, which is funded almost entirely through Kentucky’s Medicaid…
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Lawmakers join KY’s largest addiction treatment provider to oppose Medicaid payment cuts
by Deborah Yetter, Kentucky Lantern July 30, 2024 FRANKFORT — The state’s largest provider of drug and alcohol treatment is warning that looming cuts in Medicaid reimbursement to some providers could damage efforts to curb addiction that has engulfed Kentucky — just as the state is showing improvements. “Kentucky has made significant strides in access…
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Deaths of two Kentucky workers demolishing coal-prep plant bring $31,500 fine for safety violations
BY LIAM NIEMEYER kentuckylantern.com On a cool evening in late October, David Peyton heard a pop then a warning scream to get out. Within seconds two men were trapped under 11 stories of steel and concrete. Peyton ran to where Alvin Nees and Billy Joe “Bo” Daniels were trapped in the collapsed Pontiki/Excel coal preparation…
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Williamson Mayor Charles Hatfield resigns, federal investigation underway
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Mayor Charles Hatfield of the City of Williamson resigned Friday afternoon after an emergency Williamson City Council meeting. The meeting was held at 4:30 p.m. Hatfield’s replacement has not been named, but an appointment is scheduled next week. The resignation comes as Hatfield stands accused of stealing federal funds…
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Kentucky’s 2024 Legislative Session recap
The 2024 Legislative Session adjourned April 15 sine die until Jan. 7, 2025, unless otherwise called into extraordinary session by the governor. During this 60-day session, there were 1,220 bills introduced with the House having filed 838 bills and the Senate filing 383. This is the highest number of bills filed since 2000. Of the…
Tag: Government
