Local News in Letcher County
Community news from our local sources
Letcher County 52 storieswidest scope for this area
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 16State program to relieve $250M in medical debt
More than 130,000 Kentuckians are expected to have approximately $250 million in medical debt erased through a program established this week by Gov. Andy Beshear. Beshear signed an executive order Tuesday establishing the Team Kentucky Medical Debt Relief Program and directing…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 16Whitesburg plans to locate new pool on higher ground
Whitesburg plans to build a replacement municipal swimming pool on higher ground about a half-mile from the existing pool, improving the city’s chances of receiving a federal grant for the project. The city has been without a public pool for more than five years. The existing…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 16Former UK lineman finds role with Packers
Former Kentucky offensive lineman Jager Burton was a fifth-round selection by the Green Bay Packers in the 2026 NFL Draft. He made the roster and competed for a starting position during training camp. Burton was listed as a backup center for the season opener against Minnesota…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 16Cougars hold off Perry Central, improve to 3-1
The Letcher County Central Cougars improved to 3-1 and extended their winning streak to three games with a 28-23 victory over Perry County Central on September 11 at Cougar Stadium. Quarterback Gunner Holbrook led the Letcher Central passing attack, completing 15 of 32 attempts…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 16The trips end, but memories remain
Well, archery season is here, and I have received several good pictures of some nice big bucks still in velvet. I have no stories yet, but I certainly have not been short on pictures. The bucks in the photographs sent to me so far have ranged from a nice eight-pointer to a really…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 16Crankbaits good choice for now
It is getting to be that time of year again, when the leaves begin changing colors and the nights get a little cooler. Daytime temperatures, however, are still very hot. Fishermen and bass both know summer will soon come to an end, and that changes everything about fishing. This…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 16Once planted to help wildlife and reclaim mines, autumn olive now called invasive
The red berries covering autumn olive bushes across Letcher County this fall are reminders of a well-intended conservation effort that produced consequences few people anticipated. Today, autumn olive is classified as an invasive plant that can crowd out vegetation native to…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 16Why bushes spread so far
The very qualities that made autumn olive attractive for reclamation eventually made it a serious environmental problem. Autumn olive has now spread from former strip-mine sites and earlier wildlife plantings to private property throughout Letcher County, including places far…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 16Berries do make good jams, jellies despite the problems bushes bring
Although autumn olive has become an invasive nuisance across Letcher County, its abundant red berries have long been used to make jams and jellies. L.M. “Mike” Caudill, who submitted the accompanying photograph, remembers gathering the berries for his late mother in-law, who made…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 09Couple arrested after visiting sheriff’s office to complain about their names appearing in the paper
A Millstone husband and wife were arrested when they went to the Letcher County Sheriff’s Office to complain that publication of their names in the newspaper had led to harassment, Sheriff Billy Jones said. Darrell E. Heiston, 38, and Luetta Heiston, 32, had been named in The…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 09Early voters are urged to avoid using post office
Voting rights advocates are encouraging people who vote by mail this year to bypass the U.S. Postal Service and deliver their ballots directly to the ballot box at their county clerk’s office. With 10 days left before Kentucky’s absentee ballot portal opens up on the Internet,…
The Mountain Eagle
Published September 09Both school districts are projecting gains from property taxes
Property tax revenue is expected to increase for both public school districts in Letcher County under rates proposed for the coming fiscal year, although the Jenkins Independent School District plans to lower its rates. The Letcher County Board of Education is proposing a…