Weed sprays, trash harming us



To the Editor: I recently hiked a portion of the Pine Mountain Trail, and I noticed how few people used it. Only about half-mile out the trail is a huge arch, and I wondered why I’d never heard about it. Another very nice trail is the Red Fox Trail. It is well marked with interpretive signs along the way, telling […]

Smith pleads guilty in Hogg case



The second man charged with murdering Michael Hogg on New Year 2014 pleaded guilty to reduced charges Tuesday in Letcher Circuit Court. Patrick Smith, 31, of Greasy Creek in Pike County, shuffled into the Letcher Circuit Courtroom in shackles, his hands cuffed to a belt around his waist. He was still dressed in tan scrubs from the jail, his head […]

Wall Street ‘sin tax’needed



The moneyed populace is adroit at getting Congress to shift America’s tax burden to workers, consumers, small businesses — anyone but them. Sen. Russell Long, the former chair of the finance committee, used to quote a little back-country ditty on this point: “Don’t tax me, don’t tax thee, tax that fellow behind the tree.” Some extremely rich fellows who’ve been […]

Political Cartoon



Black lung benefits are in danger unless Congress acts



Unless Congress takes action before the end of 2018, major financial problems face the public fund that provides black lung benefits to coal miners and their surviving dependents in cases where the miner’s employer has gone bankrupt, according to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. In short, the safety net meant to help alleviate the harm from black lung […]

SKCTC sees increase in credentials awarded



Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC) knows what a difference a year can make, especially when it comes to graduation numbers. Since spring 2017, the total number of credentials awarded — including degrees, diplomas, and certificates — have nearly doubled. “It’s an incredible increase,” says SKCTC President Dr. Vic Adams, who attributes this growth to modifications in advising and […]

Speak Your Piece



Call 633-7508 from 9 am Tuesday to 9 am Friday. E-m@il address In addition to the telephone and the U.S. Mail, The Mountain Eagle accepts comments to Speak Your Piece by electronic mail. Our address is: mtneagle@bellsouth.net A little more than a week ago my wife and son were assaulted. We took a warrant out on this boy who did […]

LCC band student to peform in Europe



A Letcher County Central High School band student has been selected as a Kentucky Ambassador of Music to tour and perform in seven European nations this summer. Brooke Saurer, 18, daughter of James and Valerie Saurer of Partridge, is one of 300 Kentucky students chosen for the trip. According to a release from the program, students were nominated based on […]

Carlene Carter to appear at Whitesburg’s July 4 event



Family and friends I.D. Millstone fire victim



Authorities are still attempting to determine the identity of a body found burned in the ruins a home at Millstone after an explosion Sunday night, but family members and friends have said publicly they believe the body to be that of Charles Daniel “Chuck” Oliver, who had been staying in the home. Oliver, who was in his early 30s, was […]