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Patriot EMS announces station closures and workforce reduction
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT Patriot Emergency Medical Services announced that it will consolidate operations, close multiple stations and reduce its workforce by approximately 50%, citing what the company described as mounting financial pressures tied to inadequate reimbursement rates and delayed insurance payments. The announcement comes amid growing concern across the region about ambulance availability, including in…
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Ambulance coverage at risk in Martin County as Patriot EMS faces layoffs, closures
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — For Martin County residents, calling 911 has long come with a basic expectation: an ambulance crew will arrive in time to make a difference. Now, amid layoffs, missed payroll and station closures at the region’s largest private provider, county officials are preparing for a possibility that once felt…
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Mingo County officials react to Patriot EMS abrupt exit
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN BELO, W.Va. — Patriot EMS abruptly ended operations in Mingo County, removing its trucks and equipment without notice Feb. 6 and leaving county officials searching for answers in one of Appalachia’s most remote regions. When the Ohio-based Patriot EMS abandoned its station along Route 65 in Belo, county officials said…
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Martin County arrest report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: David Scott Copley, 24, of Kenova, West Virginia, was arrested Feb. 16 at Dempsey Housing in Warfield on a charge of assault, fourth degree (domestic violence), minor injury. Deputy Trenton Yaunk said deputies were patrolling at Dempsey when they heard…
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ABC proceeds to support police coverage in City of Inez
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The City of Inez will use Alcohol Beverage Control proceeds to fund part-time deputy patrols under an agreement with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Mayor Ed Daniels announced during a City Commission meeting that Sheriff John Kirk will provide a deputy for 8 to 10 hours per week…
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Martin County EDA seeks grant to empower ‘tourism industry’
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a grant application that could provide micro-grants and training to local entrepreneurs. EDA Director Carolea Mills presented the proposal during a Feb. 11 meeting. Mills asked the board to authorize her to apply to the Appalachian Kentucky Civic Experiment Grant…
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Good news for coal industry
The coal industry received some fantastic news this past week. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced Feb. 11 that three West Virginia coal-fired power plants would be among six modernized to provide energy to military installations. Locally, the coal industry has long driven the economies of Southern West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky. The domino…
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Spring wildfire hazard season begins
Kentucky’s Spring Wildfire Hazard Season took effect Feb. 15 and runs through April 30, restricting outdoor burning during daylight hours. During this period, burning is prohibited between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in or within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland. The Kentucky Division of Forestry responds to more than 1,000 wildfires each year…
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Inez hosts District 116 Governor’s Cup
INEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPORT Inez Elementary School (IES) was honored to host the District 116 Governor’s Cup Competition on Saturday, Feb. 7. As a host school, we could not have asked for more support than what we received in making this a successful event. From our superintendents and principals to all of the volunteers from…
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Martin County court docket for Feb. 10
INEZ — Judge John T. Chafin heard the following cases Feb. 10 in Martin District Court: Mason K. Maynard (pretrial conference) — Operating on suspended/revoked operator’s license: Dismissed, proof shown. Mason K. Maynard (pretrial conference) — Driving on a DUI-suspended license, first offense; no registration plates; no/expired Kentucky registration receipt: Dismissed, proof shown. Heather Mollett…
