Moving road for coal cost state more than $1M



FRANKFORT The state Transportation Cabinet spent more than $1 million from 2006 to 2008 to close and move a two-mile section of Kentucky Highway 699 in Perry County at the request of a coal company. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that investigators with the cabinet’s inspector general found that Blue Diamond Coal Co. approached Jason Blackburn, a district permits engineering supervisor, […]

Lawmakers back off plan to elect PSC



FRANKFORT Lawmakers reversed course this week on legislation that would have required elections for members of the Public Service Commission, opting instead to study the issue. The House Tourism Development and Energy Committee approved a revised bill less than a week after a coalition of business leaders called on lawmakers to pull the plug on the measure that would end […]

Bill alters drug sentences



FRANKFORT Kentucky lawmakers, seeking to curb fast-rising prison costs, wrapped up work this week on legislation to bolster treatment programs and alternative sentencing to keep more nonviolent criminals out of prison. The Republican-led Senate voted 38-0 in a show of bipartisan unity for revamping the state’s drug laws. The Democratic-controlled House followed with final passage on a 96-1 vote after […]

Galbraith opposes mining method



FRANKFORT Independent Gatewood Galbraith has differentiated himself from all other Kentucky gubernatorial candidates by taking a strong stand against mountaintop removal mining. Galbraith told The Associated Press that the practice has caused “unsurpassed environmental damage” in Appalachia and should not be permitted to continue. “It is too large a cost for the extraction of coal,” he said. “I’m for coal, […]

N.Ky. aquarium adds penguins



NEWPORT, Ky. When the Newport Aquarium’s renovated penguin exhibit reopens next month, it will be a playground for both people and penguins. The birds will get a new home with a rocky wall, a waterfall and an expanded ceiling while visitors will get an improved seating area, a live show and a play area. “I think this new exhibit that […]

A reminder of what country was



Johnny Cash, “From Memphis to Hollywood: Bootleg Vol. 2,” (Columbia/Legacy) Audio review Who is that man with the deep, twangy voice pitching the products of Home Equipment Co.? He beseeches you: Buy aluminum screens, wire fences, awnings, fiberglass insulation. “You know, folks,” he says, “even without air conditioning you can make your home several degrees cooler this summer and for […]

Coming events



LETCHER COUNTY ROCK, POP, BLUES RAP, CHRISTIAN BRIAN CAMPBELL; Sat., March 5 in Whitesburg at Summit City (214 Main St.). 633-2715. STEVE WIK & SOUL FUNK; Thu., March 10 in Whitesburg at Summit City (214 Main St.). 633-2715. CHRISTABEL AND THE JONS; Sat., March 12 in Whitesburg at Summit City (214 Main St.). 633-2715. MARK KNIGHT with MATT ABTS (of […]

Ice has created a white fairyland



Well, another week has come and gone and what a week it was! We’ve had ice, cold, wind and rain with a bit of sunshine here and there. For the past two days the view around here has looked like a white fairyland. Trees, bushes and power poles are all covered with a thick coating of ice, and looked just […]

HONORED —



Economic development meeting held



The Fleming-Neon Economic Committee hosted the first of a series of community forum meetings on Jan. 31. The meeting was led by Lori Garkovich, an Extension Specialist for Community and Leadership Development at the University of Kentucky. Participants discussed Fleming-Neon’s strengths and weaknesses, and what they would like to community to look like in five years. The committee plans a […]