2009-09-16

Crystal Lee Sutton was ‘Norma Rae’



Crystal Lee Sutton died last week at the age of 68. You may have known her by a different name. Last year, in a recorded interview with the NC Policy Watch, Sutton recalled the moment that changed her life — and later elevated the lives of thousands of textile workers. It was May 1973. She was a 33- year-old mother […]

Joe Wilson and our character



WASHINGTON If you saw a woman struck by a car, would you call an am bulance right away? Or would you first ask for her papers to make sure she was not an illegal immigrant? If someone living down the street from you were suffering from the H1N1 flu, wouldn’t you want him to get immediate medical help? Would you […]

Doctor supports health care reform



To the Editor: In this heated national health care debate, I don’t get it: tempers are hotter than over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I can see that insurance companies are worried about their profits when they get competition from a public option, where everyone has a choice for something like Medicare. But if every American could have health […]

Enough is enough



Conservative loudmouths are crowing that they are driving Barack Obama’s popularity ratings below 50 percent. They are very proud of themselves. They shouldn’t be. Destroying what is best about our country is not something to brag to your children about. And the other shoe is dropping. “I’ve stopped using Claritin,” one of my friends told me. “Zyrtec is just as […]

Blood drive set



A blood drive will be held from noon to 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sept. 22, in the Health Careers Room at the Letcher County Area Technology Center in Whitesburg. The drive is sponsored by the Central Kentucky Blood Center and HOSA. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general […]

Library plans events for Whitesburg Day



Events planned at the Harry M. Caudill Memorial Library in Whitesburg during Whitesburg Day of the Mountain Heritage Festival on Wednesday, Sept. 23, include: 9:30 a.m. Puppet show for the entire family. 10:30 a.m. Quilting demonstration by the Cowan Quilting Women. 1 p.m. Dedication of the Lula Brown Technology Room. Refreshments will be served. 1:30 p.m. Puppet show for the […]

Jackhorn man charged



A Jackhorn man was arrested at his residence Tuesday evening on a drug-related charge. Lawson Sexton, 67, of 2942 Highway 317, was charged with second degree trafficking of the controlled substance, hydrocodone. Sgt. Brian Damron of the Letcher County Sheriff’s Department said Sexton will be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and third-degree possession of a controlled substance. Damron said […]

Neon council moving ahead with trail plan



The Fleming-Neon City Council has taken the next step to begin developing trailheads in the city limits to tap into ATV trails around the city and throughout the county. City Attorney James Wiley Craft II presented a draft proposal to the council at its September meeting which he said will start the ball rolling. However, Craft cautioned that it will […]

Board sets tax rates



The Letcher County Board of Education has voted to increase its property tax revenue by four percent, but the new rate is six cents lower than last year’s assessment. Roger Martin, director of finance, said the assessment by Letcher County Property Valuation Administrator Randy Hall is the key to understanding the tax rate. “The assessment is what has gone up […]