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Skateworld
Skateworld, a downtown staple and locally owned business since the 1930s, has been chosen as this week’s Surviving the Hard Times business. Frank and Penny Smith have owned the business since 1988 but their history with the rink goes back to when they were teens. When Penny was 12 years old, she was hit by a car. Her femur in her left leg was broken and she needed rehabilitation. Although she had never skated before, Penny decided ska...
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Smith addresses coal, biomass at luncheon
Senate Majority Whip Brandon Smith spoke on several issues involving coal during the Bell County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday. The most shocking news, according to Smith, involved the amount of coal mine closures in the region. Smith said eastern Kentucky has always mined the majority of coal in Kentucky. He said the eastern part of the state typically mines 75 percent of the coal in Kentucky, while 25 percent is mined by the we...
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Late night: Senate Democrats work to pass budget
ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats neared approval of their first budget proposal in four years on Friday, calling for almost $1 billion in tax increases over the coming decade while sheltering safety net programs targeted by House Republicans. The Democrats also would reverse automatic spending cuts that are beginning to strike both the Pentagon and domestic programs. The nonbinding but politically symb...
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SKCTC honored
Dr. W. Bruce Ayers, right, president of Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College along with other finalists in the 2013 Aspen Institute Prize for Community College Excellence, displayed awards received during a ceremony March 19 in Washington, D.C. SKCTC was chosen as one of the top ten community colleges in the nation from a field of over 1,000 colleges. Co-winners for the overall award for excellence went to Santa Barbara City Colle...
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Renovations may be coming to Canal Walk
Middlesboro City Council voted in support of a resolution to apply for $100,000 for the restoration of the Canal Walk. If funded, the Canal Walk — from Lothbury Street to Ashbury Street — will be paved with asphalt. Other existing sections between Cumberland Avenue and Lothbury Street will be repaired and enhanced. Interpretive signs would be added along the whole length of the walk. A brochure will be produced and printed. Middlesbor...
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Possible circuit court consolidation on the horizon
A movement is at hand involving the Bell and Harlan circuit courts, according to Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock. He addressed the issue during a luncheon at Pine Mountain State Park and Resort on Thursday. Brock stated the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is attempting to combine Bell and Harlan circuit courts. “This negatively impacts the jails in both counties,” said Brock. “It would slow the docket down more than it a...
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Steelworkers issue strike notice to ARH
Appalachian Regional Healthcare President and CEO Jerry Haynes has notified the health care system’s employees that the United Steelworkers has issued an “intent to strike notice” to the not for profit corporation providing health care to 350,000 residents across rural eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. Haynes, in the letter dated March 21, told employees that the USW broke off negotiations after issuing the strike notice and won’...
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Board approved 2013-2014 calendar
The Middlesboro Board of Education approved the proposed school calendar for the 2013-2014 school year. The calendar was well received among school employees. Over 90 percent of the vote was for the presented calendar. The first day of school for teachers is scheduled for Aug. 7, with students starting the next day. Observed holidays include Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day, and President’s Day. However, President’s Day m...
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Middlesboro board cuts 10.5 positions
The Middlesboro Board of Education approved cutting 10.5 positions for the 2013-2014 school year. The action came Tuesday night during the regular meeting with community members, students and educators packing the library for a standing room only crowd. Despite the large turnout, no one from the public asked to speak. Chairman Bill Johnson clarified with the audience that no one had signed up to address the board. The board unanimously ...
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$17.5M possible for Bell school bonding
The fiscal agent for the Bell County School District provided an update to the Bell County Board of Education on the district’s bonding capacity from the “recallable nickel.” Joe Nance reported the district currently has bonding potential of $8.7 million. That number will potentially increase to approximately $17.5 million after the General Assembly meets next year. The original projection for bonding potential after the recallable nickel...
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Spring time
Photos by Anthony Cloud|Daily News Spring officially began on Wednesday. One can see a few trees turning green in this photo taken from the Pinnacle. Yellow pansies, shown here, are typically associated with spring-like weather.
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Children’s Reading Foundation awarded $2.87 million grant
In October 2012, trail-blazing early literacy initiatives of the national Children’s Reading Foundation (CRF) received a two-year grant totaling $2.87 million to serve more children. National CRF President Nancy Kerr said the grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education through the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program. Total cost of the two year expansion, including the Foundation’s contribution, is $5.4 million. “Children...
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Fire deaths stress need for working smoke detectors
In January, five people — including four small children — died in a house fire in Pike County. On March 9, seven people died in a Knox County house — five of them children. Last week in Wayne County, three people died in a fire, including a child. In Harlan County earlier this year in February, a man was severely burned in a fire at Verda and later died as a result of his injuries. The death toll from house fires in the state is climbing,...
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PHS switching to 7 period schedule
Pineville High School will change to a seven-period school day next year. The school board approved the change during regular session on Monday. Currently, the school uses modified block scheduling. Students have two 90-minute blocks that change each semester. Students also have three one-hour long classes that continue for the entire year. The school has used this process since the 1990s. Next year, the school will have seven one-hour ...
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Cutoff dates for HFRP funding announced
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kentucky, in cooperation with their partners, announced application cutoff dates for the implementation of the Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP). Applications are currently being accepted, with the next scheduled ranking cutoff date of April 19. Applications not making the cutoff will be evaluated for the next funding cycle. The purpose of HFRP is to assist landowners, on a voluntary basi...
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SKTF cleans Gap Cave water supply
The Karst Task Force for the southeastern region of the U.S. cooperated with other groups, including Lincoln Memorial University, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the Cave Research Foundation, to clean up around the springs on the north end of Cumberland Gap on Saturday. Fifteen volunteers came from throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina to help clean the watershed supply in Cumberland Gap. The park service checked t...
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Books Are Fun Fair held at hospital
The community is invited to the “Books Are Fun” Book and Gift Fair on Friday. The event will take place in the front lobby of Middlesboro ARH Hospital from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be open to the public. With over 250 great titles at unbelievable prices, up to 80 percent off retail, this is a great opportunity to buy something for children and adult Easter baskets. Product categories include children’s storybooks, New York Times best se...
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Kentucky Gives Day to raise funds for nonprofits
Nonprofit organizations looking for a way to boost their online fundraising efforts and acquire new donors to support their mission will have that opportunity from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on April 24. The Kentucky Nonprofit Network Inc. is coordinating this event. Through statewide media partners and sponsors, Kentucky Gives Day will connect nonprofits and Kentuckians for a day of action — showcasing the work of charities and the generosity ...
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Man charged with 6 counts of wanton endangerment
A Middlesboro man is behind bars after being charged with six counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. Gregory Adam Davis, 19, was arrested by Middlesboro Police Officer Floyd Patterson and charged for an incident that occurred late Sunday afternoon. According to the arrest citation, Davis turned off his lights while traveling east on Noetown Road and almost hit a car head on at Russell Lane while crossing the bridge. The citation also s...
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Panel discusses seasonal happenings
The Middlesboro Parks and Recreations committee met to discuss various seasonal happenings last week. Topics of special interest included the Boy Scouts involvement with the upcoming Earth Day. The mobile Vietnam Wall’s soon arrival was also talked about. Although plans aren’t completely set in stone, the local branch of Boy Scouts is pledging their assistance in helping Middlesboro observe Earth Day. Local Boy Scouts want to pitch in with ...
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America’s Got Talent hopeful gives away CDs
Anxiously awaiting the official word from America’s Got Talent for an appearance on the popular competition, Jimmy Rose says he has been anticipating what could happen if he gets selected to perform on the live show. In order to ensure he receives all of Bell County’s votes and support if he gets to appear on the show, Rose and his girlfriend, Heather, have been setting up in the Big Blue parking lot for the last two Saturdays, passing ou...
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Hernandez
Hernandez enters plea of guilty
The man accused of transporting a 14-year-old girl to Connecticut pleaded guilty in Bell Circuit Court on Monday. David Hernandez, 51, of New Britain, Conn., pleaded guilty to one count of custodial interference. According to the plea agreement, Commonwealth Attorney Karen Greene Blondell recommended a five-year sentence in the penitentiary. If the sentence is probated, he will be placed on probation for five years. The time Hernandez has s...
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Superintendent sponsors children for Roho
It’s time for the 44th Annual Roho Fishing Tournament. Roho members are now selling tickets for the annual fishing tournament, which is a charitable fundraiser. The proceeds from the tournament are used for the group’s annual Christmas shopping spree for underprivileged children. The tournament will be held at Beach Island Resort and Marina/Bubba Brews Sports Pub and Grill. The event is scheduled May 4 and May 5. On May 4, the event will ta...
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Bell Co. road to be reduced to one lane
MANCHESTER — KY 1534 in Bell County will be intermittently reduced to one lane near its junction with U.S. 25E beginning March 25 and concluding on July 31. The lane closures, which will occur on weekdays between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., are necessary to allow crews to perform $1.7 million worth of improvements to a 1.14-mile stretch of the road including utility relocations, widening, guard rail installation and new asphalt. ...
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Cardwell Home Furnishings
In recognition for their 77 years of service to Middlesboro and the surrounding areas, Cardwell Home Furnishings has been chosen as this week’s Surviving the Hard Times business. Cardwell’s was opened in 1936 by the father/son duo of Ballard and Treecy Cardwell. Currently, the store is owned by husband and wife, Bill and Joy Cardwell. Ballard and Treecy were Bill’s father and grandfather. Ballard and Treecy opened Bell Hardware and Card...
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