No one suffers more than those viciously murdered



I will readily admit that I have been all over the map when it comes to the death penalty. As a young lawyer and law professor, I was opposed to it. Actually, it was easy to be against it. The evidence that it was being administered arbitrarily and unfairly was so overwhelming that the Supreme Court had effectively placed a […]

Don’t forget book of (grocery) lists



If you’re trying to understand America in all its joy, desperation and weirdness, there’s just one book to consult: “Milk Eggs Vodka.” It’s a book of shopping lists. Yes, real shopping lists — a few hundred of them — reprinted in all their crumpled, stained and misspelled glory. They represent just a fraction of the thousands of lists collected over […]

Our fear about child migrants



The numbers are small for a large country like this, but the alarm is big over the influx of Central American children coming over the southern border. People are merging this special case involving about 57,000 children with generalized anxiety about a broken immigration system that has resulted in an estimated 11 million illegal residents. At bottom are fears that […]

The Way We Were

Clips from available Mountain Eagle pages since our founding in 1908

Thursday, August 2, 1934 Twenty-five men and women are in the Letcher County Jail this week, with the cost of keeping those who persist in breaking the law about 85 cents per person per day, or about $21 per day for all. The jailer’s claim for county and state is seldom less than $600 per month, which adds up to […]

Health care jobs without extensive education grow




Not only is it possible to have a lucrative career in health care without a bachelor’s degree, jobs requiring less education are likely to grow in demand. Ron Crouch, director of research and statistics for the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, compiled data specific to the future of health care for counties in the Barren River Area Development District […]

Harlan city amends curfew




A discussion to amend the city’s curfew ordinance was held at a meeting of the Evarts City Council. Mayor Eddie Manning said the curfew is for any person under the age of 18 and is currently from midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Police Chief Lupe Blas said he feels […]

Both sides blast EPA rules




Hundreds of people across the country lined up Tuesday to tell the Environmental Protection Agency that its new rules for powerplant pollution either go too far or not far enough. The agency is holding hearings this week in Atlanta, Denver, Pittsburgh and Washington on President Barack Obama’s plan to cut carbon-dioxide emissions by 30 percent by 2030, with 2005 levels […]

Letcher to host pool party



Letcher Middle School will be hosting its annual “ Back to School Splash” pool party at the Whitesburg swimming pool on Friday, August 1 from 5:30-7:30. All incoming 6th through 8th grade LMS students, their families, and all staff and their families are invited to come join the fun. Refreshments and hot dogs will be served. At the event, booths […]

Salome’s Stars



ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Dealing with a difficult person can be the kind of challenge you Aries Lambs love. Or it could be an energy-draining exercise in futility. Be certain your goals are worth your efforts. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The Divine Bovine might be seeing red at having your crisisresolution efforts overlooked. But others know […]

SPEAKING OF SOAPS

RECAPS JULY 28– AUG. 1

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL — Although grateful for the generous gift that Wyatt has given her, Hope feels compelled to reject the present out of respect for Liam. Now knowing the truth about Bill’s involvement in the accident in Abu Dhabi, Ridge insists that Brooke not go through with her wedding. Armed with information about Hope and Wyatt, Ivy […]