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The Power of One: What a Coach, a Coal Miner and a Promise Taught Me
BY JOSHUA BALL A photograph has been circulating recently. A coal miner, still wearing the evidence of a long shift underground, stands hand in hand with his young daughter on a school gym floor. Coal dust marks his face. His boots display the wear and tear of a hard day’s work. And yet, there he
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Holler to Holler, Hand in Hand
BY JOSHUA BALL There’s a moment when the world, a region, stands still. When the rain won’t stop. When the rivers swell, creeping higher and higher until they are no longer rivers at all… but walls of water, tearing through everything in their path. Homes, memories, lifetimes… gone in an instant. And then comes the
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SOAR COO clarifies process for FEMA
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN EASTERN KENTUCKY — As flood-impacted Kentuckians await disaster relief, SOAR COO Joshua Ball sought to clarify why individuals cannot yet apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In a statement Tuesday, Ball explained that while the federal disaster declaration has enabled public assistance, which allows local and
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Starlink donation bolsters emergency connectivity in Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Emergency Management and first responders will soon have improved connectivity thanks to a donation of a Starlink RV unit facilitated by Joshua Ball, chief operating officer of SOAR, and Dalton Stevens of Stevens Media Services. This effort addresses a critical communication gap that was brought to
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A final nod to the Legend and the Dean of Press Row
BY JOSHUA BALL The passing of Teddy Paynter has been difficult to process. We had talked about spending some time together soon. That didn’t and won’t happen. We went on to do other things in life, but every time we saw one another it was just like the good ol’ days and we didn’t miss
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SOAR Gala honors economic achievement in eastern Kentucky
BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PRESTONSBURG — The 2024 SOAR Gala was a showcase of accomplishments and the forward momentum of Appalachia Kentucky. Presented by Kentucky Power and hosted by Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), the gala recognized individuals and organizations across 42 Appalachian counties who have made significant contributions to the region’s economic development
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SOAR Innovation POWER team ignites entrepreneurial ecosystems in eastern Kentucky
BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PIKEVILLE — In a significant development for the region, Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) unveiled its Innovation POWER team, poised to transform eastern Kentucky’s economy. Bolstered by a nearly $1.5 million Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant awarded in October 2023, the team will develop a technology-focused entrepreneurial ecosystem across the
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Having a Ball: Golden Graham and this and that from the EKEBC Tourney
BY JOSHUA BALL Close games write themselves. Paintsville’s thrilling 37-34 win over Eden had many storylines. First, both teams had two losses. Second, Eden was an obvious underdog, having lost to Paintsville, 43-17, earlier in the season. For a half, it looked like the Wildcats were gonna flip the script. That’s when Graham Cox showed
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Eden oh so close, falls to Paintsville in thriller
BY JOSHUA BALL FOR MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FALLSBURG — Eden was oh so close. The Wildcats’ fourth-quarter rally came up just short as they fell to Paintsville 37-34 in the Eastern Kentucky Elementary Basketball Conference Tournament championship Saturday at Fallsburg Elementary. The Tigers (12-2) only lost to North Magoffin and Louisa East in the regular season.
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Having a ball
BY JOSHUA BALL FOR THE MOUNTAIN CITIZEN BJ Endicott’s shirt says “Family” on the front with the “m” symbolic of a Wildcat claw. It’s more than just a word for Eden Elementary’s girls’ basketball coach. It’s everything, and it shows. Following Saturday’s 28-12 win over Inez to claim the Eastern Kentucky Elementary Basketball Conference A-Team
