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Everett Lynn ‘Bookie’ Kirk Obituary
Everett Lynn ‘Bookie’ Kirk2025 Everett Lynn Kirk, “Bookie” to those who knew and loved him, passed away June 23, 2025, in Riverview, Florida. Born in Williamson, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Everett and Mary Kirk of Lovely, Kentucky. A graduate of Warfield High School, Class of 1967, Bookie continued his education…
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LIHEAP Summer Subsidy to open July 28
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — The Big Sandy Area Community Action Program will begin accepting applications July 28 for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy, offering help to households struggling with cooling costs. The application window runs through Sept. 12 on a first-come, first-served basis at local service offices. To qualify, applicants…
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KSP takes down 197 suspects in statewide drug sweep
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT The Kentucky State Police arrested 197 individuals and seized more than $640,000 worth of illegal drugs as part of its Operation Summer Heat 2.0, officials said Friday. All 16 KSP posts participated in the statewide drug sweep. Troopers issued 490 charges and removed significant quantities of dangerous narcotics from the streets. Combined…
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Swim for free this Friday at the Martin County Pool
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The wait is over. The Martin County Swimming Pool is back with major improvements. After eight years of sitting dry and silent, the community pool will make a grand reopening splash this Friday with free admission all day. Gates open to the public at noon and close at…
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Brown water: Judge calls on PSC to rescind order requiring outside management of Martin County Water District
County fast-tracks weed-cutting BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty is calling on the Kentucky Public Service Commission to rescind its order requiring outside management of the Martin County Water District. He cited operational failures that have led to widespread brown-colored water and growing public frustration. In the same meeting…
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Coal miner, songwriter, storyteller: Cody McCoy to take stage at Appalachian Artist Fest
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County native Cody McCoy will bring his raw and reverent songwriting to the Appalachian Artist Festival in downtown Inez on Aug. 2. With a voice shaped by coal dust, church hymns and Appalachian storytelling, the Beauty resident has carved out a place as one of the region’s…
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Local man jailed after threatening to kill neighbor and dogs
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A heated neighborhood dispute fueled by alcohol landed an Inez man in jail July 1. Authorities say the man threatened to kill a neighbor and his dogs, claiming the animals had killed his chickens. Martin County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Peter Cave Road in Inez after a report…
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Martin County Arrest Report
INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Brenda Hall, 39, of Lovely, was arrested Sunday on Long Branch Road in Lovely on three bench warrants. Deputy Steven Putman served the warrants. James Aaron Moore, 55, of Lovely, was arrested Sunday on Maple Street in Lovely for driving on a DUI-suspended…
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Opinion: All lawmakers and the governor agreed: SB 181 is necessary. We will make sure it’s clear and effective
BY SEN. LINDSEY TICHENOR Now that Senate Bill 181 is in effect, having passed 137-0 and been signed into law by the Governor in April, lawmakers have received questions about its implementation and overall necessity. The law requires school staff and volunteers to use traceable, district-approved platforms for direct communication with students—tools that parents can…
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U.S. 23: The Country Music Highway that changed American music
Running through seven eastern Kentucky counties, the Country Music Highway is a unique stretch along U.S. 23 that has produced more top-selling singers and songwriters per capita than any other region in the United States. The adventure begins in Greenup County and concludes in Letcher County, passing through Boyd, Lawrence, Johnson, Floyd and Pike counties,…
