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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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Florida company will buy Addiction Recovery Care, continue ‘core mission,’ says founder
by Deborah Yetter, Kentucky Lantern October 22, 2025 Addiction Recovery Care, or ARC, Kentucky’s largest provider of treatment and recovery services, has announced its pending sale to Ethema Health Corp., a Palm Beach, Florida-based behavioral health company. ARC reported the potential sale in a news release Wednesday, saying the two companies have “entered into a
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Warfield sets property tax rates
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WARFIELD — The City of Warfield set its real estate and personal tangible property tax rates at 11.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. That is an increase in real estate from last year’s rate of 10.1 and in personal tangible from last year’s rate of 9.55. According to City Clerk Rhonda
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Inez reduces speed limit on Whickerfield Road
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Inez City Commissioners approved several measures this month, including reducing the speed limit to 5 mph on Whickerfield Road, funding for holiday decorations and a permit application for bridge cleaning. Commissioners authorized the purchase of five new 5 mph speed limit signs and two “Children at Play” signs
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Kermit appoints Kominar as new council member, purchases new police truck
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT — The Kermit Town Council has appointed Steven Kominar to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of longtime councilman and fire chief Wilburn “Hawkey” Preece, whose decades of public service shaped the small town’s civic life. Preece, a 20-year council member reelected in June 2024 to another
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EDA awards demo project to contractor not licensed for asbestos abatement
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority voted Oct. 8 to award a commercial building demolition project to a contractor who lacks asbestos certification, prompting concerns about compliance with state and federal law. The project involves tearing down the building at 21 East Main Street in Inez. The EDA
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Martin County surpluses Turkey Park, accepts Sheriff’s $6.42M tax settlement
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court is selling the land at Turkey Park. Magistrates voted Thursday to advertise for bids while exploring plans for a new park with river access on Turkey Creek. This decision follows the county’s previous decision to permanently close the park due to frequent flooding that had left
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Federal Bureau of Prisons ends union contract; CPL-33 vows legal fight
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT The Federal Bureau of Prisons has terminated its collective bargaining agreement with the Council of Prison Locals, a move the Trump administration says will improve working conditions but which union leaders denounce as an attack on employee rights. Bureau Director William K. Marshall III announced Thursday that the contract with CPL-33, which
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Funding cuts end drive-up meals for Martin County seniors
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ— The Martin County Senior Citizens Center ended its popular drive-up meal service this week as federal funding reductions forced a rollback of pandemic-era expansions, the program’s director announced. Jennifer Jude Crum, the center’s program director, said the change is due to the expiration of supplemental federal support of Older
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Kentucky’s fight against substance abuse
Few challenges have weighed more heavily on Kentucky families and communities than substance abuse. Addiction has touched every county, every community, every school district, and countless homes across the Commonwealth. It tears apart families, burdens our health care and justice systems, and cruelly steals both lives and livelihoods. However, there is hope. Each September we
