Political Cartoon



Paper says mistake illuminates needed change in spending



We were wrong. We were so very wrong [recently] when we praised the legislature for abstaining from its usual binge of severance-tax spending in favor of reserving the dwindling coal revenue for creating jobs . We’re sorry and not just because it’s embarrassing to commit a factual error. We’re sorry, too, because what we had reported seemed like such a […]

Grandma President



Six years ago, I laid eyes on my brand-new grandson, and a wave of compassion washed over me, sweeping all of my career ambitions out to sea. Or, wait. Maybe that happened after. After I held my grandson in my arms, I mean, and tugged on his little hospital-issue knit cap, thus triggering a softening in me so profound that […]

Overreacting to overreacting

‘… the homicide rate in America right now is on a par with what it was in 1906.’

From the “Why is this news?” department comes this latest story, an incident that took place just a few days ago: While playing outside her home, an 8-year-old Michigan girl decided to walk a few houses down to the oh-so-tempting public bus stop. A bus came by. She hopped on, and the bus driver, accustomed to seeing youngsters ride public […]

Why not Jeb Bush? Why?



As the 2016 presidential campaign starts to gather steam, prominent Republican names are rushing to the fore. One is that of Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, son of former President George H.W. Bush and brother of former President George W. Bush. The thinking is that as painful memories of W’s administration fade (to recap, two unfunded wars, soaring deficits […]

Something to think about



The fear of measles vaccinations by some parents has contributed to a rise in the number of children who contract the highly contagious disease to the highest level seen since 1996. Before the vaccine became available about 50 years ago, nearly 500 Americans died from measles each year in the U.S.

Hauling a load of coal

A Conversation with Kenneth Blair

During the early 1900’s, the lower section of the road up Caudill’s Branch (Carbon Glow) was in the streambed for a short distance. The railroad extension from Blackey to the coal tipple on Caudill’s Branch crossed the stream and road with a short concrete bridge that allowed for the traffic of that day to pass under it. With all the […]

The Way We Were

Clips from available Mountain Eagle pages since our founding in 1908

Thursday, May 3, 1934 The first killing in some time in Letcher County took place on Kingscreek Saturday when 76-year-old Joe Creech waylaid and shot to death Ira Eldridge, about 30. The two had been arguing over Creech’s wife for more than a year. Officials say Creech concealed himself in or around the Head of Kingscreek in the school, then […]

Salome’s Stars



ARIES (March 21 to April 19) This is a good week to look at healing bruised feelings and re-establishing weakened relationships. It’s also a good week to start new projects and make new job-linked contacts. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Music and art dominate the week, giving the sensual Bovine a lot to appreciate. On the practical side, deal […]

SPEAKING OF SOAPS

RECAPS – APRIL 28 – MAY 2

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL — As Aly discussed her hatred for Taylor with Oliver, Taylor had a serious conversation with Thorne about Aly. Aly opened up to her new love about how hard it has been to get over her mother’s death. Oliver and Aly revealed to one another what has drawn them to the other. Oliver asked Aly […]