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American Legion writes a check for children

Kentucky State Police Trooper Matt Gayheart accepts a check for $1,500 from Thurman Pete Wyatt, president of the Jenkins American Legion on Friday. The Legion raised the money to go toward this year’s annual Shop with a Trooper event, at which troopers and other KSP personnel take children they’ve interacted with throughout the year to buy Christmas presents. The club […]

Neon mayor says water well nearly back to normal

Fleming-Neon’s water supply wells have filled back up and the city is slowly reducing flow from the Jenkins and Letcher County systems, Mayor Ricky Burke said. While some people in McRoberts said Saturday that their water was off and on, Burke said that had more to do with checking for leaks than the shortage. “We have to turn a valve […]

Lawmakers want to give aid to home schoolers, ease tests


A bill speeding through the Kentucky General Assembly would allow KEES scholarships earmarked for public school students to also go to graduates of “noncertified” schools, including private schools and home schools. The bill, if passed would also allow home-schooled students to take an alternative college entrance exam that school administrators here say they’ve never heard of to qualify for the […]

Grand jury charges 11

Eleven people have been indicted in Letcher Circuit Court. They are: • Travis Toler, 37, 74 Riverside Trailer Court, Whitesburg, who is charged with third-degree criminal mischief, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl), and being a first-degree persistent felony offender. Deputy Jason Adams of the Letcher County Sheriff’s Department testified in the case. • Taylor Pratt, 23, […]

New clinic opens here

Staff from the Primary Care Centers of Eastern Kentucky cut the ribbon on their newest clinic Friday at Pine Mountain Junction. Pictured, left to right, are Chas Gayheart (public relations), RN Jennifer Frazier, CNA Makenzie Simpson, IT manager Christopher Prater, COO Charla Napier, Carrie Campbell (quality control), CEO Barry Martin (center), Donna Baker-McClure, Katie Cornett, Chris Cornett, Tanesha Blair (Certified […]

Fire destroys old hospital in Blackey

The century-old hospital in Blackey that had been converted to a private residence burned to the ground in less than an hour this week. The building, located on a slope on the back side of Main Street Loop, was one of just a handful of commercial buildings left in the old town. The cause of the fire is not known, […]

Local complaints help bring reforms to FEMA program


State and local officials who have been dealing with the aftermath of the 2022 flood for the past 18 months now, say they’re pleased with the announcement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that it will reform its programs to address problems those suffering through disaster have brought to the agency’s attention. The reforms touch on everything from eliminating the […]

35,000 lbs. of dog, cat food arrived as welcome surprise here


Tara Ritchie was waiting for a gift for her nonprofit Appalachian Pet Pantry Inc. Tuesday morning, She got what she was waiting for and more. Much more. The Humane Society of the United States, partnering with the pet website Chewy.com, sent her 35,000 pounds of dog food, cat food, wild bird food, kitty litter, puppy training pads, and other supplies. […]

Service held for woman killed in tragic accident

Funeral services were held this week for a former Letcher County woman who died after being trapped in the machinery at the automated car wash where she worked. Carolina Brea Franks, 26, also known as Bree King, was apparently cleaning inside the wash bay at a Zips Car Wash in Weaverville, North Carolina on January 13 when she was trapped […]

Lending a hand during hard times

84-year-old Willard Fleming (foreground) and his 16-year-old grandson Max Flemig were hard at work Monday trying to keep their neighbors’ sidewalks and driveways cleared of snow in Chopping Branch at McRoberts. Residents there are appreciative of the work, especially as the entire McRoberts community continues to face water problems caused by draught conditions. This photo was taken by thankful Chopping […]


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