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Federal assistance for damaged private roads, bridges in Kentucky and West Virginia
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT Residents of Kentucky and West Virginia whose private roads, bridges, or driveways were damaged by the severe storms and flooding in February may qualify for federal assistance to help with repairs or replacement from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. According to information on FEMA’s website, to qualify for FEMA assistance the…
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Navigating disaster assistance: How to appeal FEMA decisions
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN In the aftermath of disasters, survivors seeking assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may find that their initial decision is not what they expected. But a denial or lower-than-expected award is not necessarily the final word. Individuals affected by disasters have the right to appeal any decision or…
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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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McCool takes aim at charges driving up electric utility bills
FRANKFORT — State Representative Bobby McCool of Van Lear has introduced House Bill 616, a measure designed to bring fairness and transparency to electric utility billing. The measure would remove taxes, fees and other charges on electric bills that are not directly related to electricity service and connection requirements. “Electricity bills across the state have…
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High school juniors to take the ACT for free
Juniors in Kentucky’s public high schools will take the ACT in March as part of the state’s academic accountability and equity efforts. “The ACT is a good indicator of your college readiness even if some colleges no longer require the ACT for admissions,” Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman said in a press release. “Many scholarships, including…
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Coyote sightings increase with winter mating season
Simple precautions can help avoid conflict with adaptable canine Increased sightings of coyotes may occur this winter and spring in rural and urban areas across Kentucky as coyotes roam more to search for mates, establish territories and raise pups. Coyote winter mating season typically lasts into March, while pup rearing takes place in spring and…
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FEMA assistance at Warfield Park Community Center
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT WARFIELD — Federal emergency officials will be at the Warfield Park Community Center on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and Wednesday, Feb. 26, beginning at 9:30 a.m. to assist individuals affected by recent storms and flooding, Martin County officials announced on Facebook. Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide “disaster assistance, recovery…
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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…
