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Sheriff’s Office seizes over 86 grams of suspected meth in traffic stop
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN TOMAHAWK — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk and deputies seized more than 86 grams of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop Thursday night on Milo Road in Tomahawk. Authorities arrested Brandi Moore, 35, and Larry Joe Horn Jr., 58, both of Inez, following a consent search that also turned up…
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Coronado to idle seven mines, lay off about 530 workers in April
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LORADO, W.Va. — Coronado Global Resources/Greenbrier Minerals LLC will idle seven southern West Virginia mining operations and terminate about 530 employees this spring, according to a federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice issued Friday. The company expects the layoffs to begin April 14, 2026, or within the 14-day…
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Patriot Ambulance pulls out of Mingo County without warning, leaving rural EMS coverage in question
BY ANNIE HOLLER MOUNTAIN CITIZEN BELO, W.Va. — On a stretch of U.S. 119 near Belo, a building that once promised help now sits empty. Feb. 6, without warning, Ohio-based Patriot Ambulance Service pulled its trucks and equipment from its station along Route 65, ending its operations in Mingo County, West Virginia. County officials said…
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Keathley drops 42 as Martin County blitzes Magoffin County
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN SALYERSVILLE — Martin County did not waste time finding its rhythm on the road Feb. 5. The Cardinals hit the gas early and never let up in a 92-54 blitz of Magoffin County to remain undefeated in the 57th District. After the fast start, Martin County head coach Jason “JJ” James…
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Preece leads JV Cardinals past Hornets
BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN SALYERSVILLE — Martin County’s junior varsity built its lead quarter by quarter and pulled away down the stretch to defeat Magoffin County 57-46 on the road Feb. 5. The Cardinals set the tone early, taking a 9-4 advantage after the first quarter and carrying a 27-21 lead into halftime. Martin County…
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Two arrested on criminal abuse, manslaughter charges in child death
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN Two Martin County residents are in jail facing felony charges in connection with the death of an 11-year-old boy Aug. 13, 2025, in Beauty. Patrick Speer, 34, of Warfield, and Christina Chapman, 40, of Beauty, were arrested following their indictment by a Martin County grand jury Feb. 5. Their charges…
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Tennessee man to pay nearly $10K for hunting violations in Martin County
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — A Tennessee man will pay nearly $10,000 in fines, court costs and restitution after pleading guilty Feb. 2 in Martin Circuit Court to five hunting-related offenses in Martin County last fall. Court records show Tanner Smelcer, 24, of Beas Lane Hollow Road in Sevierville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to…
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Tomahawk icon James E. Webb passes away at 81
BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN TOMAHAWK — Traditional music enthusiast, master luthier and retired educator James E. Webb passed away Feb. 5, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. His passing marks a profound loss for the local music community and serves as a bittersweet reminder of the quiet but extraordinary impact he has had…
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Martin County arrest report
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests: Law enforcement arrested Joseph K. Scott, 47, of Hardy, Feb. 9 on KY-40 in Warfield on two warrants charging him with failure to appear for traffic and misdemeanor charges. Deputy Jameson Wall served the warrants at 11:49 p.m. Officers took…
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Kenleigh Estep wins girls state wrestling title, Maynard finishes third
BY BRITTNI MCCOY MOUNTAIN CITIZEN CORBIN — Kenleigh Estep won a Kentucky state championship Feb. 8 at Corbin Arena, becoming the first middle school girl from Martin County to claim a state wrestling title. Estep captured the middle school 95-pound division at the 2026 KFWC Middle School & Youth Girls State Tournament, finishing three of…
