People in Harlan County are upset because they say a coal company is blocking a county road leading to a cemetery.

Liza Kelly Cemetery Road is being blocked by Lone Mountain processing in the Holmes Mill community of Harlan County.

The road leads to a nearly one hundred year old cemetery.

People are upset that they are being denied direct access to their loved ones' graves.

“You've got equipment that comes in and out of there every day. I don't think it's safe for the public to go this way when this road right here diverts away from the mines,” said resident Vernon Saylor.

The primary reason we decided to block access from the public road is because we've had several close calls, near misses with 4-whealers, and other vehicles traveling the county road,” said mine manager Arnold Hammons.

The issue was discussed during last Thursday's fiscal court meeting.
Community members hope changes will be made soon.