HOW LOUD IS TOO LOUD?



Trial begins for 1 of 3 charged in 2011 murder



A jury trial is underway here this week for a Georgia man accused of murdering a friend here in 2011 in a dispute over drugs and money. Alfred “New York” White, 46, of Jonesboro, Ga., is accused in the March 24, 2011 shooting of Walter Johnson Jr., 39, of Atlanta. Johnson was shot once in the back at 2:09 p.m. […]

Jenkins board hikes tax again



Jenkins Independent School District residents, who already pay some of the highest school taxes in Kentucky, are being asked to pay even more during the next year. The Jenkins Independent Board of Education voted unanimously in a rare Sunday afternoon session to raise the school district’s tax on real estate to 79.9 cents per $100 of assessed property, up from […]

Taco Bell not coming



Although almost 2,000 people have “liked” a Facebook page in support of bringing Taco Bell back to Whitesburg, a spokesperson with the fast food chain said there are no plans to build a new location in Whitesburg. About two weeks ago brush was cleared around the old Sonic building near Pine Mountain Junction and rumors — particularly on social media […]

On parade in Whitesburg



The 31st annual Mountain Heritage Festival was held in Whitesburg last week. Most of the photos seen on this page were taken during the parade held Saturday while another was taken earlier in the festival. (Photos by Chris Anderson and Sally Barto)

ANNIVERSARY



Swappin’ Meetin’ planned Oct. 4-5



The annual Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’ will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5, on the Cumberland Campus of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. The event will include music, crafts, visual arts, theater, folk competitions, game, folk life demonstrations, a mini Olympics competition, youth storytelling and art contests. The theme for the 2013 Swappin’ Meetin’ is ‘Pride in My […]

Cruise-in set Oct. 5



A cruise-in and burnout will be held Oct. 5 in Jenkins. A poker run will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Jenkins City Park. Cost is $2 entry, $5 hand. The cruise-in will start at 4 p.m. in the city park. All customs, classics, hotrods, mini trucks and motorcycles are welcome. There is no charge for admission. Jenkins Middle School […]

Stories tell history of Letcher County

Big Cowan

Hello everyone! Looks like the Mountain Heritage Festival went well. We went out on Friday night and listened to the storytelling “Precious Memories” put on by Cowan Community Center. I didn’t know R.C. Day, Carol Ison and Darrell Holbrook could sing. I met Frances Sturgill Day and the bright and shining star of Elsie Banks, her son Carl Banks. He […]

Trash pickup



The Pine Mountain community will have trash pickup day on Saturday, Oct. 19. Participants will meet in front of Laurel House at Pine Mountain Settlement School at 10 a.m. and trash bags and gloves will be provided. For more information, call Judy Lewis, community coordinator, at (606) 558-3586 or (606) 558-3571.